2026 CEDHE Forum
The Community for Environmental Disciplines in Higher Education (CEDHE) Committee invites you to join them for the 2026 AGM & Forum.
This year’s free online CEDHE Forum will bring together educators, employers, and industry professionals to explore the evolving landscape of professionalising environmental education. We will explore key themes related to curriculum development, industry needs, and the essential competencies required for graduates to succeed and progress in the environmental sector. Through engaging presentations, discussions, and Q&A sessions, participants will have the opportunity to share best practice and shape the future of environmental education.
Key themes
The student perspective: Hear from IES Student Ambassadors as they share insights on skills development and graduate skills needs. They’ll provide an overview of this year’s National Careers Week webinars, highlighting advice and key skills recommended by industry professionals.
Employer perspectives: In this session, employers will share insights on graduate skills in the sector, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement.
Competencies: Explore professional competency frameworks and how programmes can align with competencies required for registration.
Curriculum professionalisation: This session will share case studies and highlight best practices in the sector through lightning presentations, offering key takeaways to implement at your institution.
Who should attend the forum?
Academics & Researchers | Environmental Science Students & Graduates | PhD Students | Non-teaching University Staff | CEDHE Members & Accreditation Contacts | Careers Advisors | Employers of Environmental Science Graduates
The Student Ambassador Scheme is an opportunity for up to two students from each of our accredited institutions to represent the IES at their university and to champion the student voice. The Student Ambassador Scheme is intended to provide a valuable opportunity for students at accredited universities to steer, and provide input into, tailored IES activities and promote the importance of professional body membership within their institution.
What is the role of an IES Student Ambassador?
From encouraging environmental action to hosting bespoke IES events and promoting student membership, the Ambassador role is diverse and flexible, allowing Ambassadors to adapt the role to meet the needs of their student body.
Ambassadors will:
- Represent the IES at your university.
- Promote environmental action and student membership.
- Run or host IES events on campus.
- Share opportunities and inspire your peers.
- Contribute to IES social media and student pages.
- Sit in on CEDHE committee meetings, influencing the future of environmental education.
Hear what the current ambassadors have to say about the role:
Why become a Student Ambassador?
- Ambassadors will develop key skills, such as communication, event management, public speaking and leadership – professional skills that will strengthen your CV
- This role will enable Ambassadors to engage meaningfully with the IES, demonstrating a commitment and dedication to the environmental science sector
- Opportunity to network with other university students, industry professionals, academics and other student ambassadors from across the world, at IES events.
Who we're looking for
We want students who are:
- Studying on an IES-accredited programme and are current IES Student Members (you can sign up today if you’re not).
- Confident communicators (written and verbal).
- Organised, proactive, and ready to lead.
- Passionate about sustainability and environmental science.
- We particularly welcome applications from students from underrepresented groups, in line with our Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) Plan 2023–2026.
Key information
Do you know of a student who would be perfect for this role? Send them this information and encourage them to apply to represent your institution.
Ambassadors will hold the role for 13 months, which will include handing over your role to the new Ambassadors at your university. For 2025/26, Ambassadors will hold the position from November 2025 – December 2026.
How to apply
If you would like to be considered for this role, please complete the form below by 12pm on Monday 27th October 2025.
Please note: applicants must be an existing Student Member (sign up form) of the IES and logged into the members area to access this form.
If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to contact the IES on education@the-ies.org.
The 2025 CEDHE Forum brought together educators, students, and professionals for a virtual day of insights and discussion on the theme “Integrating Artificial Intelligence in Environmental Education: Innovations and Opportunities.”
The event opened with a keynote presentation from Professor Derek France (University of Chester) and Dr Sonja Rewhorn (Open University), who explored the transformative potential of AI in teaching and learning in Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences.
Key themes
AI in Teaching and Assessment
Representatives from Manchester Metropolitan University, UWE Bristol, and the University of Stirling shared approaches to embedding AI in curriculum design, staff development, and assessment practices. Case studies illustrated frameworks for ethical AI use and research into staff and student perceptions. All of the presentations are available to watch on the IES YouTube channel, please see below to catch-up on specific sessions from the day.
- Approaches to AI at Manchester Metropolitan University, Graham Smith and Dr Rachel Dunk
- Exploring student and staff perceptions of opportunities and challenges associated with Generative AI, Dr Maria Casado-Diaz
- Implementing a Clear AI-use Framework for Assessments: A Case Study, Dr Viktoria Mileva
AI in the Field
Speakers from the University of Birmingham and University of Portsmouth explored AI’s growing role in fieldwork – from enhancing data collection and interpretation to tackling training gaps and practical implementation challenges. Participants then took part in breakout discussions, sharing ideas and experiences. All of the presentations are available to watch on the IES YouTube channel, please see below to catch-up on specific sessions from the day.
- Using AI in fieldwork: staff awareness, experiences and challenges, Dr Lesley Batty
- Using AI in the field, Dr Ian Hendy
The Student Voice
The IES Student Ambassadors led a thought-provoking session on the ethical and equitable use of AI from a student perspective. The session explored accessibility, cultural differences, academic integrity, and how AI can empower students when used responsibly. You can catch-up on this session on the IES YouTube channel.
AI in the Professional Workplace
Industry leaders from Ramboll and Arup discussed the evolving demands of the environmental sector and how AI is transforming roles in data science and air quality. The session offered valuable insights into the rapid enhancement of technology and the subsequent skills demand from incoming graduates. You can catch-up on this session on the IES YouTube channel.
Building on the momentum and areas of discussion from the Forum, CEDHE hopes to continue to support its community in navigating the evolving role of AI in environmental education.
Header image credit: © Prostock-studio | Adobe Stock
The March 2025 issue of environmental SCIENTIST, Who pays? Money, power and risk in sustainable finance, is now available open access on the website. 
This issue of environmental SCIENTIST turns to one of the most contentious and complex topics within the environmental sector: finance. The edition considers how we can harness finance to advance environmental improvement, support the transition to net zero, and ensure that our economy is resilient in the face of environmental problems. Crucially, this issue asks who pays for this transition, and how.
There has been widespread global implementation of new financial measures, initiatives and policies (e.g., carbon taxes, Environment and Social Governance (ESG), and green finance to name a few), but the complexities and pitfalls of our current global economic system present challenges for policymakers, researchers, and environmental professionals alike. Financial support for environmental programmes, research and innovation must also remain accessible, democratic, and innovative. This issue of environmental SCIENTIST therefore asks how we can best work towards a truly sustainable financial system, which can unlock new opportunities for environmental and social improvement.
Authors contributing to this issue are experts in the environmental dimensions of finance, from academics and communications experts to political commentators. Their articles consider the successes and failures of new financial frameworks and standards, examine the geopolitics of financing environmental improvement, explore the possibilities for new ways of communicating environmental finance, and investigate innovative solutions to financial challenges.
Download the Journal (PDF) and Teaching Resource (docx) for this edition.