Graduate Student Liaisons & Student Working Group

Graduate Student Liaisons (GSLs)

Throughout its history, ASLE has acknowledged the significant contributions of graduate students to the continuing development of ecocriticism and of ASLE as an organization.  The position of GSL was created to give an official voice to students at ASLE business meetings and in other forums where discussion of the organizations goals, direction and future are discussed.

There are currently two GSL positions, and one liaison is appointed each year on a rotating basis by the ASLE President.  At its most recent meeting in 2008, ASLE’s Executive Council voted to change its Bylaws to add the senior (serving his or her second year) GSL to the list of voting officers.  ASLE has long had two graduate students serving in the capacity of GSL on the council, but they did not previously vote. This change will ensure that graduate students’ concerns are represented fully in ASLE’s business.

For those interested in becoming GSLs, please see the Graduate Student Liaison Policy page for details and additional information on the role of GSLs.  If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, feel free to contact the current GSLs.

2008 Graduate Student Liaisons

Paul Bogard (senior voting member)
Northland College
pbogard [at] northland [dot] edu

Angela Waldie (junior member)
University of Calgary
arwaldie [at] ucalgary [dot] ca

Graduate Student Working Group

The Working Group meets via email to discuss the concerns of ASLE graduate student members, help plan ASLE conference graduate events, and assist in ASLE projects. The GSLs coordinate the activities of this group.  The Working Group is a great way to increase your involvement with ASLE (and a nice line on your CV).  We are always seeking new members, so please contact the current GSLs if you are interested.

Current Projects of the GSLs and Working Group

We welcome your thoughts and your participation in the following ongoing initiatives.

Professionalization Panels: Given the success of the professionalization panels at the 2007 ASLE Conference in Spartanburg, we plan to organize two panels at the 2009 conference in Victoria. Please send us your suggestions on what topics or concerns you would most like these panels to address.

Graduate Student Handbook Update: We are currently initiating a revision of the Graduate Student Handbook for the ASLE website. We recently issued a call to the ASLE membership for their input, and we welcome immediate suggestions from graduate students for changes and/or additions to the handbook.

Graduate Advice Column: In future issues of ASLE News we hope to incorporate an advice column along the lines of “Ask the Graduate Student Liaisons.” Send us your questions on selecting a graduate program, conference attendance, publishing opportunities, overcoming writer’s block, or whatever else you’re wondering about, and we will endeavor to answer them for you. Selected questions and responses will be published in future editions of ASLE News.