NSS National Conference
Innovation, Implementation, and Workforce Development for Sustainability
Seattle 2024
Creative Commons Image, University of Washington, https://german.washington.edu/news/2020/05/12/achtung-freshmen-grant-mellon-foundation-your-first-year-experience
September 9 - 11, 2024
University of Washington (Seattle, WA)
*Contribution decisions notifications have been sent. Please check your spam folder for a message from natsustsociety@gmail.com or email us to confirm.
The NSS will host a national conference to bring together academics, students, and practitioners within the field of sustainability to build consensus on the key principles, competencies, capacities, frameworks, and substance of sustainability as both a scholarly realm and as a rapidly expanding field of practice across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. The NSS focuses on the dialog and community building to support professional and scholarly activities needed to support sustainability transformations across sectors.
This first national conference will showcase work that advances sustainability innovation, closes the implementation gap, and supports workforce development at all levels.
Conference Themes
The conference focuses on sustainability scholarship and practice around 3 themes and 12 topical areas: Supply chains; Food; Climate and Carbon; Energy; Water; Land; Mobility; Markets and Governance; Technology; Biodiversity; Environmental Justice; and Human Health and Wellbeing
Keynote Speakers
This event launches the National Sustainability Society as a community for everyone in the field of sustainability: researchers, students, policy-makers, and practitioners alike.
Conference FAQs
How do I become a member of the National Sustainability Society?
Inaugural conference participants will automatically receive a one-year membership (through December 2025!) to the National Sustainability Society. If you aren't able to attend the conference, you can become a member here.
Can I attend this conference online?
As the National Sustainability Society is a new organization, we want to maximize in person exchange. As such, this year's conference will be entirely in person. The NSS hosts free webinars throughout the year, and other online opportunities may be developed.
Will you offer discounted registration?
To maximize the opportunity for student participation, discounted rates will be offered to current undergraduate and graduate students. Registration prices are listed in the Registration section of this conference webpage.
Are papers required to present at the conference?
Papers are not required with contributions, although your online conference profile (set up at Registration in the Whova platform) will allow you to share materials related to your work if you wish.
Are international participants allowed to attend?
The National Sustainability Society welcomes participants from all over the world. If you need an invitation letter for visa purposes, please email us at natsustsociety@gmail.com and a letter can be provided.
NSS Conference Advisory Group
Kate Brandt
William Clark
Harvard University
Howard Frumkin
Trust for Public Land and University of Washington
Stephen Hammer
New York Climate Exchange
Lolita Jackson
Perry World House, University of Pennsylvania, and Sustainable Development Capital LLP
Mark Lee
ERM Sustainability Institute
Pamela Matson
Stanford University
Liz Maw
Presidio Graduate School and Goldman Environmental Prize
Auden Schendler
Aspen Skiing Company
Dave Stangis
Apollo Group
Conference Planning Committee
Arun Agrawal, University of Michigan
Ben Packard, University of Washington
Christopher Boone, Arizona State University
Cristy Watkins, University of Michigan
Dan Brown, University of Washington
Karen Seto, Yale University
Krista Hiser, Global Council on Science and the Environment
Mark Hartman, City of Phoenix
Nicole Ardoin, Stanford University
Maya Tolstoy, University of Washington
Local Host Committee
Kevin Wilhelm, former CEO Sustainable Business, Inc.
Rob Johnson, SVP Sustainability and Transportation for the Seattle Kraken and the Climate Pledge Arena (former member of Seattle City Council)
Chas Jones, Climate Resilience Program Director, Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians
Lisa Dulude, Director of Sustainability, University of Washington
Gwen Migita, Executive Director of Emergent Strategies, Point B
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
