Welcome to the International Institute for Environmental Studies

"Attending the IIES 8th Annual Graduate Student Forum was an incredible experience. I appreciated the opportunity to connect with fellow researchers from diverse backgrounds and disciplines through activities like academic speed introductions, field collection of wastewater, and co-design workshops on sustainable water stewardship. The forum's diverse sessions provided valuable insights and sparked meaningful discussions. The excursion to Blyde River Canyon was a highlight. Overall, the forum provided valuable opportunities for networking, learning, and growth."

"I am grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in the 9th Annual Science & Policy Workshop in South Africa. It was an enriching and inspiring experience—seeing so many great minds focused on research and the resolution of socio-environmental conflict was truly inspiring."

"Coming for the conference, I was hoping it was going to be just another lecture on environmental sustainability and the way forward. However, this conference went a long way to broaden my understanding of how every attempt I make as a researcher to combat problems facing our environment actually matters and that I’m not just a young scientist but an agent of change. This indelible exposure and experience that I had over the past few days has enlightened my academic and career path even more!"

"The conference was an enriching and well-coordinated experience that provided valuable insights into multi-interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability and development. I particularly appreciated the diversity of topics, the quality of presentations, and the opportunity to engage with scholars and practitioners from various backgrounds. I learned new frameworks for community-based research, gained fresh perspectives on integrating policy and practice, and built connections that I believe will lead to future collaborations. The conference reaffirmed the importance of collective dialogue in shaping responsive and inclusive development pathways."

"I strongly recommend the annual IIES Science and Policy Workshop to anyone that is interested in environmental science. This workshop provides a unique and welcoming platform to broaden your perspective on various environmental issues. Additionally, it offers an outstanding opportunity to enhance academic connections, engage in networking, share knowledge, collaborate, and pave the way for future prospects."

"It was great to learn and get re-inspired by all that is being done in academia. It is also beneficial to share knowledge and experiences, and how people react and connect to the research being conducted in an interdisciplinary and international way. I would highly recommend to anyone interested to get involved with IIEs and continue to learn, share and co-create on an international scale. I hope to stay connected with this organization after I graduate."

"The IIES provided an amazing representation of the global and interdisciplinary research that graduate students in environmental research are doing. I hope that the IIES continues to grow, because I believe that international discussions that take place in these workshops and forums are important in developing solutions for our environmental challenges."

“It was a wonderful experience attending IIES meetings wherein we had the opportunity to interact with other experts in the diversified fields, encouraging multidisciplinary research collaboration and fruitful scientific discussions.”

“The IIES provided me with an amazing opportunity to attend my first international research meeting. This was a great platform to share my research and receive feedback from a diverse group of scientists. It has allowed me to cultivate a new network of connections, which I plan to utilize in my professional career moving forward.”

“This event was an enriching instance, the collaboration and common interest of each professional to be a contribution; from their different fields and specialties in environmental matters is amazing. Being part of these instances of dialogue and learning demonstrates our commitment to contribute to the generation of knowledge that contributes to the fight against climate change.”

“The experience of attending the 9th Annual Science & Policy Workshop was truly enlightening. I had the opportunity to engage with fellow researchers from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, and the exchange of ideas was both stimulating and inspiring. The various activities, including research presentations, interactive workshops, and discussions on pressing global environmental issues, provided valuable insights and sparked meaningful conversations. The conference's interdisciplinary approach and collaborative atmosphere helped me gain new perspectives and approaches to my own research. Overall, the experience was enriching and motivating, and I look forward to applying the knowledge and connections gained to my future work.”