This week, I attended a "pre-organizational" meeting of the Advisory Group for the IES at Mount Royal.  I was inspired by the mandate of this institute and humbled by hearing the backgrounds of other advisory group members.  Even though Snowmaggedon was beginning outside, and I should have been worrying about how to get back to Banff, I was completely engaged by what was going on in the room and the time flew by.  I particularly like the emphasis on interdisciplinarity and on creating opportunities for undergraduates to engage actively in meaningful research.  I also like the combination of an old (for Alberta) educational institution, but a relatively new university.  I look forward to spending more time with these interesting people, and contributing to moving the Institute forward.

Read about IES activities at http://mtroyal.ca/ProgramsCourses/FacultiesSchoolsCentres/InstituteforEnvironmentalSustainability/