Saturday, November 19, 2011

Community Voices

November
Brian Wheeler

"The changing landscape of community news: Building new platforms for engaged citizens and informed choices"

Tuesday, November 29th, 7:00pm
at the Lyric Theatre

For more information click here.

Job Posting: Urban Sustainability

Smart and Sustainable Cities
Northeastern University invites applications and nominations for open rank positions in all relevant areas of urban sustainability, including sustainable architecture and urban planning, landscape design and policy, land use regulation and zoning, water and wastewater management, health and urban sustainability, urban environmental law, comparative urban economics, urban development and policy, urban sociology and community studies, urban geography, cultural and visual design.

This hiring initiative addresses the human, systems and technological capacities that will be needed for the future sustainable city. Worldwide changes, especially population shifts to major urban centers and climate change, drive demands for mitigation, adaptation, innovation, and ecological awareness in our patterns of consumption, construction, commerce and service systems. Northeastern University aims to lead in the definition of urban scientific and social issues, and in the development of innovative solutions for cities. Existing expertise at Northeastern University includes efficient and adaptive infrastructure monitoring and management; safe and sustainable building design and operation; responsive and resilient urban political and cultural institutions; sustainable and effective transportation systems; advanced education systems incorporating new learning methodologies; public health and safety; sustainable community development and affordable housing; effective a
nd equitable educational institutions; reliable, economical, safe, and low-impact approaches to managing energy, water, wastewater, telecommunication and security; and fair and transparent legal and human support systems.

Applications are invited from any discipline that contributes to the issue of urban sustainability. The appointment will be made in an appropriate college and department of Northeastern University. Cross-college appointments are also possible and indeed encouraged. Candidates must have a PhD or equivalent terminal degree at the beginning of the appointment and a record of scholarship and teaching commensurate with rank.

Northeastern University in Boston is a nationally-ranked research university with a strong urban mission, a global perspective, and an emphasis on interdisciplinary scholarship. Its signature Cooperative Education Program and study-abroad opportunities such as Dialogues of Civilization provide experiential learning opportunities for its 19,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

To apply, please go to http://www.northeastern.edu/provost/faculty/positions.html and click on the Faculty Positions link. Applicants will be asked to upload a letter of application, CV, a statement of current and future research interests, a writing sample of no more than 50 pages, and the names of three referees. Review of applications will begin October 20, 2011. Inquiries from potential senior candidates are welcome and may be directed to the Chair of the Search Committee, Georges Van Den Abbeele, Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, g.vandenabbeele@neu.edu. Northeastern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Educational Institution and Employer, Title IX University. Northeastern University particularly welcomes applications from minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Job Opening: Assistant Professor – Environmental Justice

The Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and the Department of Community & Environmental Sociology at the University of Wisconsin seek an individual with a PhD in sociology or a related social science or humanities field for a tenure track, assistant professor position in environmental justice. Applicants must have completed their degree by summer 2012.

Candidates should be committed to scholarship and undergraduate teaching in the area of environmental justice, with particular focus on environmental health burdens faced by vulnerable communities in domestic or international contexts. Scholars approaching issues of environmental health from a variety of perspectives (food systems, pollution, land use, race and gender studies, etc.) are encouraged to apply. Strong candidates for this position should value and be able to conduct community-based research with underrepresented and/or marginalized populations.

This assistant professor position is shared by the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and the Department of Community & Environmental Sociology in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and carries with it a commitment to the three important functions of resident instruction, research, and outreach, as well as professional and university service as appropriate to faculty rank. It is expected that the appointee will play an active role in the research, teaching and service activities of the both units.

General teaching responsibilities will include core courses in the Nelson Institute and in Community & Environmental Sociology, with an instructional load of three courses per year. The candidate should be willing and qualified to teach the course “Global Environmental Health: An Interdisciplinary Introduction” and, alternately, the introductory course: “Environmental Studies: The Social Perspective.” The two courses will be rotated on a basis to-be-determined. Supervision of graduate and undergraduate research is also expected.

The incumbent is expected to participate in service to the community, state, nation, and profession in a manner consistent with the appointment. Specifically, it is expected that the appointee will play a leadership role in advancing the Nelson Institute’s Community & Environmental Scholars Program (CESP), in which diverse environmental studies students connect with community through direct service, community-based research, personal networking and community organizing experiences. CESP offers students an academic framework for boundary spanning environmental work and develops perspectives on complex issues.

Applications should include curriculum vitae, statement of research and teaching interests, a representative publication or writing sample, and three letters of recommendation. Review of applications will begin on January 15, 2012. Electronic submission of documents is preferred; please include “Environmental Justice Position” in the subject line.

Materials should be sent to:

Professor Jane Collins

c/o Andrew Sellers (admin@nelson.wisc.edu)

Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies

122 Science Hall

550 Park St.

University of Wisconsin

Madison, WI 53706

THURSDAY (Nov 17): Information Session - Sustainable Europe 2012

We will be holding a second information session on Thursday, November 17, from 11:00am to 12:00pm to discuss the 2012 Sustainable Europe course.

The information session will be broadcast from the following VT locations:

· Blacksburg (Ralph Hall): Room 200 in the Architecture Annex.

· Alexandria (Derek Hyra): Prince Street conference room.

· Dr. Frank Dukes will also be joining the conversation from UVA.

If you would like to read about the 2011 Sustainable Europe summer course, please visit the student blog and select the “2011 Summer Course” category: http://europestudies.wordpress.com/.

I also encourage you to frequently check the above website for information about the 2012 course. As you will see, I have already posted some information about the various forms that VT students will need to complete.

We look forward to meeting you and answering any questions you might have about this unique opportunity.

Agenda 21 and planning explained




Agenda 21 and planning explained


Some critics of planning and planners are using the United Nations document "Agenda 21" to spread inaccurate and misleading information about local planning. These falsehoods are addressed in "Agenda 21 and Planning: Myths and Facts," the first how-to guide in APA's Communications Boot Camp, now available on our website. Also posted is a recording of the November 4 webinar, "First Steps in Responding to Critics and Reframing Planning."

Communications Boot Camp is a 12-week series of free webinars and how-to guides designed to help APA members transform themselves and their allies into effective messengers and advocates for planning.

arrow Communications Boot Camp webpage

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Dec 1 Webinar: Govt Contact Centers and Improved Processes/Decisionmaking

"You don’t want to miss our next joint webinar with ICMA and PTI – learn how three cities – Albany, GA, Greensboro, NC and for a special return engagement, Pittsburgh, PA, use reporting to tie daily calls and service requests to data that departments and even citizens can use and learn from.

Hear from departments and how they use the reports to analyze and improve performance.  Pittsburgh will share a program they use that can help with decision making, including a way for citizens to view monthly performance indicators related to day-to-day operations of every city department.  

Title:  How government contact centers use reports to help departments and their jurisdictions to improve processes and drive decision making

December 7, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. EST

Pulling departments into your contact center thru your CRM:   Learn how jurisdictions have developed good relationships with departments through the reporting capabilities of their CRM.  Can a contact center CRM be the catalyst for process improvement throughout the organization?  Can a CRM help a locality to spot trends or problems in neighborhoods?

Register today:  https://publictechnology.webex.com/publictechnology/onstage/g.php?d=661038322&t=a"

Source: DJ Russell on GovLoop

Saturday, November 12, 2011

GMF Urban & Regional Policy Program Fellowships: 2012 Call for Applications

The German Marshall Fund of the United States is pleased to announce the 2012 Call for Applications for fellowships being offered through its Urban and Regional Policy program. The Urban and Regional Policy Fellowships are open to practitioners and policymakers working on local and state policy in the United States and Europe. Fellows have the opportunity to conduct research projects (of varying length and depth) designed to shed new light on an urban or regional policy challenge by exploring how it has been addressed on the other side of the Atlantic. Fellows return from their time overseas equipped with the ideas and insights necessary to effect significant and lasting change in their own communities.

Fellowship Overview

GMF offers two types of Urban and Regional Policy fellowships that vary in length, intensity, and expected outcomes. Short-term Travel Grants are available for individuals seeking to gather information that pertains to a specific, social, economic, or physical challenge or obstacle in their home communities. Over three to four weeks, these fellows visit a maximum of two cities for a series of site visits and meetings with relevant individuals and institutions. Longer-term Research Grants are available for individuals interested in completing more in-depth policy analysis. These fellows are based abroad for three months and examine how three case study cities approached a discrete policy challenge through site visits and interviews. Long-term fellows are expected to review available literature in advance of their travel and adhere to a well-developed research methodology.

Fellowship Outcomes

Both short and long-term fellows are expected to produce a written report summarizing their policy recommendations for publication and dissemination, as well as actively disseminate their findings to the policy community broadly, and their home communities more specifically. The type of fellowship conducted will determine the length and intensity of both the written and oral final products; long-term fellows will generally be expected to produce a full-length policy report.

Who Should Apply

GMF welcomes applications from mid-career professionals with an interest in gaining an understanding of how similar urban and regional challenges are approached in a policy context other than their own and an ability to translate lessons learned into policy action in their own communities. Applicants should be policymakers or practitioners in state/local government, leaders from the private sector, or representatives of non-profit and policy organizations. The fellowship is not intended for academic research. GMF welcomes fellowship proposals that cover a wide array of topics, including but not limited to urban sustainability, transportation, environmental policy, and education and workforce development. In 2012, the Advisory Committee is particularly interested in applications that focus on social issues such as affordable housing and social inclusion.

Urban and Regional Policy Program Networks

A major component of the Urban and Regional Policy Program’s practitioner network is the Transatlantic Cities Network (TCN), which provides a framework for the exchange of information about innovative policies, best practices, and local policy challenges among a diverse network of policymakers, practitioners, and civic leaders who are well-positioned to put new ideas into practice in their home cities. Potential fellows may make use of this vibrant network and others within GMF throughout the course of the Fellowship.


How to Apply

Interested candidates should see the program summary and application forms, on our website, for further details on the program and application process. The deadline for submission of applications is January 31st, 2012. Please contact Casey Kuklick, Program Assistant, with specific questions at ckuklick@gmfus.org.

Arcadia (in DC) hiring Mobile Market School Educator

Like kids, local food, food justice, and child nutrition? This could be the job for you!

Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture is hiring a part-time Mobile Market School Educator to lead educational programming on Arcadia's travelling farmers' market bus, and coordinate local food taste tests in DC cafeterias. Full application information at http://bit.ly/ArcadiaMMJob.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Crowd-Sourced Wikis for Government

We're glad to share the link to the recording for this recent webinar program, courtesy of CPAP Phd Student Jacob Parcell:

Social collaboration tools can welcome interested people to contribute ideas that help your agency develop policy. Hear how Ontario, Canada, used a social innovation wiki to gather public input for a policy paper on Social Innovation that helped them implement Ontario’s social innovation strategy.

In this webinar, Allyson Hewitt from SiG@MaRS, and Anne Bermonte from Ontario’s Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation, will share lessons learned, and discuss the opportunities and ongoing challenges of using social media to develop policy. Syracuse University's Ines Mergel will discuss her research of federal, state and local agencies' use of wikis, and how she created a checklist for creating and maintaining a wiki.

http://www.howto.gov/training/classes/crowd-source-wiki

Updated: Job Candidate Talks, CPAP and GIA

Ryan Yeung, Ph.D. – Visiting Assistant Professor, Public Administration, Rutgers University
Candidate for CPAP positions
Nov 14, 2:00p, Thomas Conner House
Nov 15, 12:00p, Prince Street
“The Effect of Immigrant Composition on Student Achievement: Evidence from New York City”

Matthew Dallek, Ph.D. – Associate Academic Director and Director of Summer Academic Programs, University of California Washington Center
Candidate for the GIA-NCR position
Nov 14, 1-2:00p, 502 Major Bill
Nov 16, 12-1:30p, Prince Street Rm 304
“Under Siege: The Roosevelt Administration and the Politics and Policy of Civil Defense During World War II”

Ariel Ahram, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, Joint Appointment in Political Science and International & Area Studies, University of Oklahoma
Candidate for the GIA-NCR position
Nov 14, 12:30-2:00p, Prince Street Rm 304
Nov 16, 11a-12:00p, Major Bill 527
“Proxy Warriors: The Rise and Fall of State Sponsored Militias”

Adam Eckerd, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, School of Public Affairs & Administration, University of Kansas-Lawrence
Candidate for CPAP positions
Nov 17, time tba, Prince Street
Nov 18, time tba, Thomas Conner
"Going Green Together? Brownfield Remediation and Environmental Justice"

Michael Jones, Ph.D. – Residential Research Fellow, Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, Harvard University
Candidate for CPAP positions
Nov 17, 4:00p, Thomas Conner
Nov 18, TBA, Prince Street
“Cultural Narratives and Climate Change Opinion: A Micro-level Application of the Narrative Policy Framework”

Chris Carrigan – Ph.D. Candidate, Public Policy, Harvard University, and Regulation Fellow, University of Pennsylvania Law School
Candidate for CPAP positions
Nov 28, time tba, Prince Street
Nov 29, time tba, Thomas Conner
Title TBA

Deven Carlson – Ph.D. Candidate, Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Candidate for CPAP positions
Dec 1, time tba, Thomas Conner
Dec 2, time tba, Prince Street
Title TBA

Mia Bird, Ph.D. – Instructor in Public Policy, University of California-Berkeley
Candidate for CPAP positions
Dec 5, time tba, Thomas Conner
Dec 6, time tba, Prince Street
Title TBA

Nov 17 Info Session: Sustainable Europe, June 26-July 20

Information Session
November 17
11:00am-12:00pm
Prince Street Polycom – Room 220
1021 Prince Street, Alexandria VA
Sustainable Europe
Riva San Vitale, Switzerland – June 26-July 20, 2012

Nov 16 Webinar: Does Collaboration Work? Evidence for the Field of Whole System Collaboration & Change

From Nexus4Change:

"Join us for a Free Webinar:

Does Collaboration Work? Evidence for the Field of Whole System Collaboration & Change
Live, online, from your desktop or mobile device!(Learn More)
Are you seeking new ways to more effectively meet one or more of the following challenges?

Widely dispersed organizations involving internal and external stakeholders
Immediate crises with little time to respond and high need for collective action
Developing the next generation of talent
Technology’s potential for collaboration
Polarized and politicized environments
Diverse groups and communities
Global and cross-cultural initiatives

If you answered YES... then join us as we explore the emerging field of Whole System Collaboration & Change. Our focus will be on the current state of research and practice. The field is still divergent with people who practice, lead, research, and educate based on a collection of approaches often referred to as Large Group Methods, Large-Scale Change, Large-Group Interventions, etc. The approaches are unique because they create conditions for dramatic transformations in whole organizations and communities based on two powerful assumptions: high involvement and a systemic approach to improvement. High involvement means engaging the people in changing their own system. It is systemic because there is a conscious choice to include the people, functions, and ideas in order to leverage the highest possible value for the effort invested.

Register Now! https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/145393994

Sincerely,

Steve

Steven H. Cady, Ph.D.
Graduate Faculty, MOD Program
Director, Institute for Organizational Effectiveness Bowling Green State University"

Monday, November 7, 2011

Webinar: Social Justice Organizing in a Community Food Centre

It Takes A Community: A Look at The Stop's Community Action Program

Social Justice, anti-poverty organizing and civic engagement are key components of The Stop's Community Food Centre model.

Since 2005, The Stop has developed a suite of initiatives as part of its Community Action Program. This includes our social justice training, peer-to-peer community advocacy office, Bread and Bricks Social Justice Group, various provincial campaigns such as Do The Math and more.

On November 16th from 12-1pm EST, tune in to hear Jen Danch, Mark Woodnutt, and Nadia Edwards discuss the evolution, program components, impact and philosophy of the Community Action Program. This webinar is aimed at individuals and organizations interested in integrated social justice programming and community organizing into their roster of programs. To register, please click here. If the event appears full, please email Elizabeth Fraser at elizabeth [at] thestop [dot] org to be placed on the waiting list.

Tuesdays at APA-DC - You're Invited!



Tuesdays at APA-DC

November 8 @ 5:30pm

Southwest Ecodistrict

Speakers: Elizabeth Miller & Diane Sullivan

National Capital Planning Commission

The Southwest Ecodistrict Initiative aims to transform the 10th Street and Maryland Avenue corridors located south of the National Mall in Southwest Washington.

Led by the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) in coordination with the District Office of Planning and other local and federal agencies, the initiative seeks to create a model sustainability showcase of innovative technologies and sustainable urban development and infrastructure practices in the nation's capital.

As envisioned, the Ecodistrict will be an active multi-modal mixed-use neighborhood of significant cultural attractions and public spaces, offices, residences, and amenities. It will extend the civic qualities of the National Mall by creating prominent locations for nationally significant cultural destination.

CM | 1.0

RSVP for the November 8 Tuesdays at APA

Learn more about this event and upcoming events on the APA website

Tuesdays at APA–DC

Join APA in Washington, D.C., each month for this after-work lecture and discussion series. Practicing planners, researchers, and professionals from allied fields discuss innovative ideas and concepts or present their latest projects.

The events are free and open to APA members and nonmembers.

Directions

Please enter on 15th Street and check in with security desk

American Planning Association - Headquarters

1030 15th Street, NW, Suite 750 West

Washington, DC 20005

Metro – Farragut North (red line)

McPherson Square (orange/blue lines)

Parking available in paid parking lots or on street

See you there!

Virginia Sea Grant Graduate Research Fellowship

Virginia Sea Grant (VASG) is pleased to announce the availability of graduate research fellowships for the 2012–2014 academic years. The fellowship is open to Ph.D. students at any Virginia aca­demic institution who are engaged in coastal and marine research relevant to Virginia and the VASG strategic plan. In addition to supporting the student’s academic expenses, the fellowship will provide additional professional development opportunities throughout its duration, focusing on science com­munication, science-to-management process, adoption of innovation, and other Sea Grant activities and mission priorities. VASG is accepting applications until January 20, 2012. 

Please circulate this announcement broadly.  VASG will also be releasing announcements for the Knauss Marine Policy, NMFS-Sea Grant Population Dynamics, NMFS-Sea Grant Marine Resource Economics, NOAA Coastal Management, and Collaborative Fisheries Fellowship competitions in the coming month.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Susan


Susan Park
Assistant Director for Research
Virginia Sea Grant
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
College of William and Mary
Phone: 804-684-7436
Fax: 804-684-7269

Mark your Calendars! GIA and CPAP Candidate presentations

Mitchell Rose, Ph.D. - Lecturer - Department of Geography, University of Hull, UK
Candidate for the GIA-NCR position
Nov 8, 12:00p at Prince Street, Room 304
Nov 10, 12:30p in Major Williams 527
“Negative Governance”

John Marvel, Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Public Administration & Policy, American University, Washington DC
Candidate for CPAP positions
Nov 8, 3:00p, Prince Street Room 305
Nov 9, TBA, Thomas Conner House
"Should I Stay or Should I Go? Exploring the Differences between Turnover Intention and Actual Turnover among Public School Teachers."

Lisa Stampnitzky, Ph.D. – Postdoctoral Fellow, The Charles Warren Center for Studies in American History, Harvard University
Candidate for the GIA-NCR position
Nov 9, 12-1:30p, Prince Street Rm 304
Nov 11, 12-1:00p, 502 Major Bill
“Disciplining Terrorism: Experts, Rational Knowledge, and Irrational Subjects”

Ryan Yeung, Ph.D. – Visiting Assistant Professor, Public Administration, Rutgers University
Candidate for CPAP positions
Nov 14, 2:00p, Thomas Conner House
Nov 15, TBA, Prince Street
Title TBA

Matthew Dallek, Ph.D. – Associate Academic Director and Director of Summer Academic Programs, University of California Washington Center
Candidate for the GIA-NCR position
Nov 14, 1-2:00p, 502 Major Bill
Nov 16, 12-1:30p, Prince Street Rm 304
“Under Siege: The Roosevelt Administration and the Politics and Policy of Civil Defense During World War II”

Ariel Ahram, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, Joint Appointment in Political Science and International & Area Studies, University of Oklahoma
Candidate for the GIA-NCR position
Nov 14, 12-1:30p, Prince Street Rm 304
Nov 16, 11a-12:00p, Major Bill 527
“Proxy Warriors: The Rise and Fall of State Sponsored Militias”

Adam Eckerd, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, School of Public Affairs & Administration, University of Kansas-Lawrence
Candidate for CPAP positions
Nov 17, time tba, Prince Street
Nov 18, time tba, Thomas Conner
Title TBA

Michael Jones, Ph.D. – Residential Research Fellow, Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, Harvard University
Candidate for CPAP positions
Nov 17, 4:30p, Thomas Conner
Nov 18, TBA, Prince Street
Title TBA

Chris Carrigan – Ph.D. Candidate, Public Policy, Harvard University, and Regulation Fellow, University of Pennsylvania Law School
Candidate for CPAP positions
Nov 28, time tba, Prince Street
Nov 29, time tba, Thomas Conner
Title TBA

Deven Carlson – Ph.D. Candidate, Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Candidate for CPAP positions
Dec 1, time tba, Thomas Conner
Dec 2, time tba, Prince Street
Title TBA

Mia Bird, Ph.D. – Instructor in Public Policy, University of California-Berkeley
Candidate for CPAP positions
Dec 5, time tba, Thomas Conner
Dec 6, time tba, Prince Street
Title TBA

Resilience of Citizen Engagement to Local Disasters Project

"Kevin Desouza, Director of the Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech, and Maggie Cowell, Assistant Professor in Urban Affairs and PlanningSchool of Public and International Affairs), have received a seed grant of $20,000 from the Institute for Society, Culture and Environment (ISCE) at Virginia Tech for a project titled 'Resilience of Citizen Engagement to Local Disasters: Studying the Emergence and Dissolution of Community Networks.'"  Read more about this article on the Metropolitan Institute website

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Pow Wow Flyer

The ABCs of EPR and OCRRA - Recycling Efforts Unique to Municipalities



Join us Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at 11am ET for a complimentary webinar!

In the first installment of our "Lessons from the Experts" webinar series, Call2Recycle® and guests will discuss the shared responsibility for end-of-life product management and how that falls on the producer, but also on local governments and municipalities. In addition to discussing extended product responsibility (EPR) and recycling efforts unique to municipalities across the country, the webinar will spotlight the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency, commonly referred to as OCRRA, and their recycling program for rechargeable batteries. OCRRA is a non-profit public benefit corporation that manages the solid waste for 33 of the 35 municipalities in Onondaga County, New York.

OCRRA manages the County's solid waste through a broad spectrum of waste reduction and recycling efforts. Onondaga County's households and commercial outlets are currently recycling better than 60% of the waste that once was buried in landfills, and that includes rechargeable batteries recycled through Call2Recycle.

Register for this webinar spotlighting the OCRRA rechargeable battery recycling program and learn more about EPR and how a municipality program has made battery recycling convenient for participants as well as saved time and money.

In this webinar, you will learn:

  • More about EPR and recycling efforts specific to municipalities
  • How OCRRA utitilizes partnerships to make battery recycling easy
  • How the Call2Recycle program helps OCRRA save time and money

Join OCRRA and Call2Recycle for this webinar, Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at 11am ET.

Register today.

WorldFuture 2012: Dream. Design. Develop. Deliver - July 27-29, Toronto - World Future Society - Call for papers for conference volume

Submission deadline February 20, 2012


The 2012 program will follow up on the work we began in Vancouver at the 2011 conference, "Moving from Vision to Action." Our goal will be to help break down that complex process: Each step in generating implementable solutions is necessary and important, but people may only specialize in one area—dreaming, designing, developing, or delivering.


This year, we will be incorporating these papers into one or two special issues of World Future Review, which will be available both electronically and in a print version for conference attendees.


The paper should be no more than about 7,000 words, double-spaced in a Word document (not PDF), and submitted to Timothy Mack by e-mail, tmack@wfs.org. The deadline is February 20, 2012, but we are strongly encouraging early submissions.


Note: The review processes for the essay collection and for the conference program are independent of each other. Attendance or participation on the conference program is neither a guarantee nor a requirement for inclusion in the conference essay collection, and vice versa.


Please refer to our Web site for further details on submitting a paper: www.wfs.org/content/essay-guidelines-worldfuture-2012.
---


Stories about those working across boundaries at various scales of regional community following the "community motive" for security, stability and sustainability of humanity.


For daily top stories http://twitter.com/#!/tomchristoffel

Call for papers - Networked regions and cities in times of fragmentation: Developing smart, sustainable and inclusive places

Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands - Sunday 13th - Wednesday 16th May 2012 (Field trip on Sunday 13th May) Deadline for Abstract submission: 31st January 2012 - Regional Studies Association European Conference 2012


Regions and cities are increasingly interdependent; economically, socially and environmentally. They are, for example, becoming more reliant on interregional flows of trade, labour and resources. Patterns of interactions between regions are experiencing rapid changes as a result of dramatic shifts in production and consumption patterns, advances in communication technologies and the development of transport infrastructure. These changes pose many challenges for the analysis and management of regions. They are also leading to new patterns of activities and relationships and new forms of clustering and networking between regions.


At the same time, regions are becoming increasingly fragmented in many ways; economically, socially, environmentally and also politically. Classic forms of government based on clear cut arrangements between administrative levels, policy sectors and the public and private domain are no longer sufficient. The governance of regions faces multi-level, multi-actor and multi-sectoral challenges. New spatial interactions at new scales demand new approaches for consultation and coordination. More flexible (`softer') forms of governance are beginning to emerge which seek to work around traditional governmental arrangements. The result is a complex pattern of overlapping governance and fuzzy boundaries, not just in a territorial sense but also in terms of the role of both public and private actors. These new arrangements pose many as yet unresolved dilemmas concerning the transparency, accountability and legitimacy of decision-making. The 2012 RSA conference in Delft provides a timely opportunity for participants to come together and reflect on the various strengths, weaknesses, challenges and opportunities of networked cities and regions within these different contexts of fragmentation.


Papers that consider these issues in relation to the development of smart, sustainable and inclusive places (the three dimensions of the Europe 2020 Strategy) are particularly encouraged.


Gateway Themes
A. EU Regional policy and practice
B. Climate change, energy and sustainability
C. Migration, housing and labour markets
D. Social and environmental justice and inclusive places
E. Rural and peripheral challenges
F. Territorial cohesion and cooperation
G. City-regions, networks and urban systems
H. Spatial analysis and regional economies
I. Borders, border regions and cross-border learning
J. Industries, entrepreneurship, and regional competitiveness
K. Innovation and knowledge economies
L. Creativity, identities and branding
M. Territorial governance: planning policy and practice
N. Infrastructure and development
O. Local and regional economic development


Organisers welcome proposals for special sessions, themed workshops and innovative forms of networking and collaboration. If you would like to organise or offer a session to the conference please contact: Elizabeth Mitchell at events@regionalstudies.org and we will assist you.


Academic organisers: Wil Zonneveld: W.A.M.Zonneveld@tudelft.nl, Evert Meijers:
E.J.Meijers@tudelft.nl , Dominic Stead: D.Stead@tudelft.nl RSA Organiser: Elizabeth Mitchell: elizabeth.mitchell@regionalstudies.org


For the most up-to-date version of this call for papers visit: http://www.regionalstudies.org/events/future.asp

Kris Wernstedt and Patrick Roberts awarded NSF grant to study use of climate science in rural America flood planning and management

"Kris Wernstedt, associate professor, Urban Affairs and Planning, and Patrick Roberts, assistant professor, Center for Public Administration and Policy, in the National Capital Region were recently awarded a grant in a National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Agriculture competition to fund a three-year project, Emergency Management in Rural America: Decision-Makers’ Use of Climate Science in Flood Planning and Management. The project will examine the obstacles to and opportunities for the use of seasonal climate forecasts in flood planning and management in rural areas of the United States"  Read more of this story by Barbara Micale

Nov 8 and 10 Faculty Candidate Lecture: Mitchell Rose

MITCHELL ROSE, PH.D.


Lecturer - Department of Geography


University of Hull, UK


Candidate for the GIA-NCR position


“Negative Governance”


Alexandria, Tuesday, Nov 8, 12:00p at Prince Street, Room 304

Blacksburg, Thursday, Nov 10, 12:30p in Major Williams 527



"I grew up outside Detroit, Michigan but have been living and working in the UK for the last 13 years. Currently I hold a lectureship in the Department of Geography at the University of Hull, where I teach courses in cultural geography, social theory and on the culture and politics of the Middle East. My fascination with the Middle East began while living in Israel in 1987, the year of the first Intifada. The experience encouraged me to learn Arabic and pursue a degree in Middle Eastern History at the University of Wisconsin the following year. After graduating in 1992, I moved to Washington DC to work for Search for Common Ground, an NGO that facilitates unofficial diplomatic meetings between Israeli, Palestinian, Egyptian, Jordanian, Lebanese and Syrian representatives. In 1994, I left to pursue an MA in International Relations at Syracuse University with the intention of working for the US Foreign Service. It was while conducting research on oral poetry in Yemen that I discovered cultural geography. Specifically, I was intrigued by how tribal poets summoned distinct geographical sites to elicit a sense of tribal belonging. Thus, mountains, oasis and wells became lyrical markers around which community identity could be affirmed and conflicts settled. The research drew me into the geographic literature on landscape and I began another MA in geography in 1996. Two years later, I left the US to pursue my doctorate at the University of Cambridge which explored the politics of governing heritage sites in Egypt. My work continues to be characterized by an enduring interest in the culture, history and politics of the Middle East as well as debates in cultural and political theory."

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

APA's Planning Communications Boot Camp

From APA:

"Introducing APA's Planning Communications Boot Camp

Do you want to be a smart, effective advocate for planning in your community? Enlist in basic training.

Planners encounter a variety of challenges that include ideological attacks on planning, constrained budgets, and inhospitable economic and political climates. APA is about to launch an intensive effort to help members build public support, counter critics, and reframe local perceptions of planning. Communications Boot Camp will empower and transform planner participants into highly effective messengers and planning advocates.

Communications Boot Camp will include free webinars, how-to guides, case studies, and other online training materials — everything you need to become a forceful champion of planning in your community. The program draws on the insights and expertise of communications specialist Robin Rather of Collective Strength, our Washington, D.C.-based partner Axiom Communications, and other experienced communications professionals who work locally.

Once a week — beginning November 4 and ending January 31 — APA will conduct a webinar or release a detailed how-to guide focused on a key communications topic.

APA will publish complete event and registration information on our website, in APA Interact, and in e-mails sent in advance of each activity. Communications Boot Camp webinars are free but registration is required.

E-mail questions about Communications Boot Camp to govtaffairs@planning.org

Communications Boot Camp Schedule

November 4, 2011
Webinar
First steps in responding to critics and reframing planning

November 11
How-to guide
Agenda 21 and planning: Myths and facts

November 18
Webinar
Successful public meetings and managing contentious situations

November 25
How-to guide
Glossary for the public

December 2
Webinar
Mastering the pivot: Message discipline and effective media response

December 9
How-to-guide
Making the economic case for planning

December 16
Webinar
Effective coalitions, outreach, and engagement

December 21
How-to guide
Working with the media

January 6, 2012
Webinar
Planning for the state legislative session

January 13
How-to guide
Working with elected officials

January 20
Webinar
Social media strategies: Using, organizing, monitoring, and responding

January 27
How-to-guide
Building relationships with partners and local leaders

January 31
How-to guide
Step-by-step guide to building communications into your planning process

________________________________
Communications Boot Camp does not offer CM credit."

UAP Faculty In the News: Derek Hyra

UAP Assistant Professor Derek Hyra was quoted in an AP article on redevelopment in Chicago that made it's way to several media outlets across the country, including The Chicago Tribune.

Dr. Hyra also was recently quoted in another article and blog on gentrification in DC.

Article: http://wp11.americanobserver.net/2011/10/dc-housing-values-rise-but-who-can-afford-it/