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The Center for Culture, History, and Environment (CHE) welcomes graduate, faculty, and community associates from a wide array of (natural- and/or human-focused) intellectual backgrounds (e.g., history, sociology, landscape architecture, English literature, geography, anthropology, botany, limnology, etc.).

Although most CHE associates are firmly grounded in one or more disciplinary traditions, we are all persuaded that no one discipline by itself can hope to solve the myriad of puzzles regarding how and why people relate to, use, change, and value the natural environment.

A group of people sits on a grassy shore listening to a man give a presentation, with a calm lake and a forested hill in the background.
A large group of people smiles for a photo together in front of a wooden structure on a sunny day.
A group of people wearing yellow hard hats stands outside an industrial facility, listening to a presentation.
A large, diverse group of people poses for a smiling group photo in front of a rustic wooden building on a sunny day.
Several people on a boat look out over a shimmering river toward a terraced village on a steep, forested hillside.

CHE provides opportunities for associates to join in examining and exploring common interests related to understanding human dimensions of environmental change. In doing so, CHE associates expand their knowledge and find a home within CHE’s community of supportive and like-minded friends and colleagues.

CHE associates are linked by their shared intellectual passions for interdisciplinary environmental knowledge and research. If this sounds like the kind of community you’re seeking, we invite you to apply to become a CHE associate.

Learn More About Being a CHE Associate

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All graduate students who have research, teaching, or outreach interests that address the themes of culture, history, and/or environment are eligible to apply to become a CHE graduate associate. Likewise, we invite you to consider applying for a CHE graduate program.

Students enrolled in a CHE graduate program automatically become a CHE graduate associate.

CHE hosts many events that are developed and implemented by graduate students working with faculty, including an annual Graduate Student Symposium and Place-Based Workshop. In addition to the active schedule of events, CHE graduate associates organize independent reading groups, writing workshops, research presentations, field trips, and social events.

Becoming a graduate student associate means joining a creative intellectual community dedicated to exploring the changing relationships of people and the environment over time.

Benefits of Being a CHE Graduate Associate

  • Eligibility to apply for CHE graduate research funding
  • Access to the CHE lounge and conference room in Science Hall
  • Graduate student representation on the CHE Executive Committee, the governing body of the center
  • Access to funds for programming speakers and events organized by and for graduate students

CHE’s faculty associates come from a range of departments at UW–Madison. CHE’s faculty associates share a commitment to understanding environmental issues of the past and present from disciplinary perspectives beyond their own.

CHE welcomes applications from faculty or academic staff who teach a course with content that significantly addresses themes of culture, history, and/or environment, conduct research related to these themes, and/or can otherwise demonstrate an intellectual/pedagogical commitment to the center’s aims.

Benefits of Being a CHE Faculty Associate

  • Taking part in an exciting intellectual and social community dedicated to exploring the changing relationships of people and environment over time
  • Eligibility for nomination to serve on CHE’s steering committee
  • Opportunities to have a voice in future events, programs, and governance

CHE community associate status is open to anyone in the campus community and beyond whose work and interests address environmental questions relating to culture and/or history.

Benefits of Being a Community Associate

  • Participate fully in regular CHE activities and events including colloquia, conferences, and workshops
  • Receive CHE’s Weekly Digest with information on events in and around campus related to CHE’s mission
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