Resources

International Energy and Environment Practicum

What is the Practicum?
The Practicum is an innovative course at SAIS where teams of SAIS students consult for client organizations on projects aimed at addressing international environmental policy issues.  The Practicum is designed to provide quality research and analysis on an important environmental issue to the client, while providing students with the opportunity to apply concepts learned in classroom to real world problems.

What are the deliverables to the client organization?
Each Practicum team of four students begins by developing specific, practical terms of reference for the project designed collaboratively with both the client and their academic supervisor.  Over the course of the academic year, the team then conducts its research, often accompanied by site visits, and prepares a detailed report on its findings for presentation to the client.  Oversight of the student teams is provided by SAIS faculty as well as the client, and students are held to the highest standards in the work they conduct.   

How long does the project last?
The Practicum is a “for credit” course at SAIS and follows the academic year from September 2012 – May 2013.  Students typically conduct literature and other research during the fall months, conduct any field research needed in January, and complete their reports and client presentations by May.

Types of Projects:
Most client projects have an international environmental policy dimension.  Many environmental problems are increasingly interrelated with issues of economic development, technology policy and public health, and we welcome projects exploring these linkages.  Practicum projects have been conducted in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.  Examples of projects we have completed in the past include:
·         Biofuels development in Mexico.
·         Assessment of demand-side management options to respond to an electricity crisis in Zanzibar.
·         Investigation of the possible growth of small and medium enterprises in energy conservation
          and clean energy in Senegal.
·         Evaluation of prospects for carbon offsets from projects in the outlying islands of the Phillipines.

Friday, April 19th, 2013
ERE Practicum Teams Presentations
Location & Time: BOB 500, 1717 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036 | 10:00 AM -2:30 PM
RSVP: http://erepracticum2013.eventbrite.com/

Support:
The Practicum was established initially with a generous grant from the Henry Luce Foundation. This grant means that SAIS can devote substantial faculty and administrative resources to the Practicum, and cover any travel and expenses related to student travel for their project.  Contributions from client organizations and other institutions are welcomed and appreciated, as they help to offset the costs of the Practicum.