Certificate in Environmental Writing

The Undergraduate Certificate in Environmental Writing (CEW) is for Illinois students wanting to engage with the latest research in sustainability science — and to build their skills in environmental communication.

The certificate is a joint venture of iSEE, the School for Earth, Society, and Environment, the English Department, and the Journalism Department, and is at the cutting edge of interdisciplinary sustainability programs in the nation.

The motto of the CEW is “turning data into narrative” — learning about the latest scientific research on the environment and how to communicate that research effectively to the public.

When enrolled in the certificate capstone course, Environmental Writing for Publication (ESE 498), students will have the opportunity to submit their work to the iSEE publication for student environmental writing, Q Magazine. If successful, students will work closely with the editors and production staff of Q on developing their work to a professional, publishable standard. Issues of Q are published each Fall and Spring semester, and two-issue volumes are printed each summer.

For questions, please contact Professor Gillen D’Arcy Wood, Director of the CEW >>>

Q Magazine, Volume 5

Certificate Courses

To earn the CEW, students will take three courses: the intro course (ESE 360), followed by one of the intermediate courses (ESE 477, ESE 467, or JOUR 473), and they will complete their journey with the capstone course (ESE 498). These courses are also open to students who are not pursuing the certificate.

If you are interested in formally pursuing the certificate, please register below. Registration is not mandatory, but by registering you will receive advising support, information about opportunities for CEW students, news of campus events, and more.