About USSEE

The USSEE is one of many regional professional organizations within the umbrella society of the International Society for Ecological Economics (ISEE). All ecological economics societies hold professional meetings that serve as a forum for exchanging information, presenting cutting edge research results and advancing practical solutions toward an ecologically sustainable and economically viable future. Ecological Economics is the science of sustainability. This transdisciplinary approach to studying the integration of economic, social, and ecological systems brings together academics and practitioners from a variety of natural and social science disciplines.

The common goal of ecological economists is to improve theoretical models and practical solutions to achieving long term economic and social well-being without undermining the absorptive, regenerative and resource capacity of the natural environment. USSEE members are academics and practitioners engaged in research, policy, community projects and various other activities and collaborations to advance the interdisciplinary field of ecological economics. The society is intentional about advancing dialogue across different disciplines, backgrounds and professional contexts to address pressing social and ecological problems. The society is particularly interested in advancing work that seeks to identify concrete solutions and actions to bring about a more just and sustainable future.

The USSEE is a membership organization, with a portion of annual dues paid to the ISEE contributing to USSEE activities. More information on benefits of becoming a member is available through the ISEE membership page. The broad range of USSEE activities include:

Biennial Conference

The USSEE’s Biennial conferences provide a national and international forum to focus on the latest issues in ecological economics and to share information about new developments and activities. Learn about our upcoming conference, as well as past conference programs at our Biennial Conference page. We particularly welcome students of ecological economics to join the society as special members and participate in our conferences. Students are represented in the USSEE Board, and the Society provides financial aid and volunteer opportunities to students to enable participation in meetings to present work and share ideas for the future.

University & Citizen Education

In between conferences, our board and members are working to advance the discussions in ecological economics through publications, blogs, coursework, workshops, and other formal and informal communications. For example, the USSEE co-sponsors a number of publications, including the annual Reviews in Ecological Economics; the Solutions Journal, a bi-monthly nonprofit print and online magazine-journal hybrid; and Ecological Economics, the long-standing transdisiplinary journal of the ISEE. The USSEE also supports edited collections of papers from our biennial conferences, and regular posts to our weekly blog highlighting education opportunities, member's papers and books, and general discussion topics.

The USSEE also provides leadership in curriculum development at the undergraduate, graduate and continuing education level in a range of academic fields such as environmental science, environmental studies, ecological economics, policy, management, law, and ethics. Outside of academia, our members engage in intellectual exchange and communication about the full scope of ecological economics, including analyses and positions about the economic, social, and environmental crises we face as a nation and globe, as well as the policy options available for addressing them effectively.

Research, Policy Analysis and Community Projects

The USSEE plays a key role in setting the research agenda for ecological economics in the United States, and in communicating the development of effective economic, social, and environmental policies. In engaging both academics and practitioners as its members, the USSEE is committed to ongoing research and analysis as well as identifying policy tools and practical solutions that can be implemented at the national, state and community level.