Call for Presentations & Session Ideas
American Society of Civil Engineers
141st Annual Civil Engineering Conference
October 20 – 22, 2011
Memphis, Tennessee
Sustainable Infrastructure
Civil Engineering Solutions
Deadline For Receipt of Proposals
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011
1801 Alexander Bell Drive
Reston, VA 20191
1-800-548-ASCE
Submission Information
Proposal Submissions must be:
§ Filled out completely and correctly using the attached form
§ Free of materials and/or language that discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, physical ability, or sexual orientation
§ Submitted by Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Selection Criteria
Proposals will be judged by the Annual Program Committee and based on the following criteria:
§ Relevance to the Conference theme, defined Conference topics and the engineering industry
§ Interdisciplinary applications
§ Potential to attract and stimulate cross-cutting and collaborative discussions
§ Timeliness of the topic
§ Practical application of information to be presented
§ Creativity
Note: Written papers are not required for proposals that are selected for presentation, and there will not be a formal proceedings published.
Proposal Review
ASCE strives to offer a balanced program of educational sessions by selecting proposals that best fit within the framework of the Conference. Final selections will be made by the Conference program organizers.
Notification
Notification of session status will be sent to the Lead Contact in late February 2011.
Scheduling of Program Sessions
Program sessions are scheduled throughout the Conference from Thursday, October 20 through Friday, October 21, 2011, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 22 between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Program sessions will only be held during the official dates and times of the Annual Conference. Submission indicates the availability to present a session on any of the dates and time listed.
Concurrent Program Sessions (90 minutes)
These lecture-style and interactive sessions and are scheduled concurrently throughout the Conference and are based on the Conference Theme and list of topics. Rooms for concurrent program sessions are typically set theater-style with a lectern in the front of the room.
Panel Discussions (90 minutes)
A panel discussion is an instructional technique using a group of people chosen to discuss a topic in the presence of an audience. The panel should not exceed four (4) individuals with a moderator/facilitator to facilitate the discussion and the question and answer session. This room is typically set theater-style with a head table for four.
CONFERENCE THEME AND TOPICS
Conference Theme: Sustainable Infrastructure – Civil Engineering Solutions
When individuals hear the term “sustainable infrastructure,” they may think of green roofs, wind farms, or permeable pavements. Sustainable infrastructure is so much more than that. According to ASCE, “a sustainable civil infrastructure provides environmental, economic, and social well-being, now and for the future.” As stewards of the natural and built environment, civil engineers have a leadership role in every facet of sustainability: in practice, in political advocacy, and in education. Be a part of defining the solutions and building a socially responsible and sustainable world.
Purpose for Sessions at the Annual Conference:
The ASCE Annual Conference provides an opportunity for discussion, interaction, and education on topics that cross the breadth of civil engineering sub-disciplines. Appropriate topics can include those related to business and the responsibilities of being members of a learned profession. However, as engineers, the audience is keenly interested in presentations and sessions with technical underpinnings and clear applicability to topical subjects such as adaptation to climate change, improving resiliency within built works, etc. Consequently, the Conference Program Committee seeks to develop a “well rounded” program of sessions that educate and reinforce topics relevant to being a learned professional along with technical discussions that appeal to the scientific and engineering perspectives of the participants. The annual conference does not attempt to compete with technical specialty conferences, but there are a range of topics that introduce new scientific approaches, intersections between technology or science with policy, or technical topics that span a breadth of disciplines where the Annual Conference can effectively contribute to the education and productivity of the ASCE membership and the civil engineering profession.
Topic Descriptions:
1. Sustainability in Action
While building a sustainable future is a daunting task, there are existing examples of sustainable engineering and related sustainable activities that are successful or attempting to become successful. Discussions of programs and initiatives using case studies and personal experiences are an effective means to develop an understanding of the need for sustainability, an important means of distributing the sustainability message, and an essential means of demonstrating successful and less successful approaches toward achieving sustainability.
2. Sustainability Metrics
Regardless of the type project, the requirement for metrics that quantitatively or qualitatively describe need or progress become important for communication and justifying (e.g., funding) of activities. The descriptive ability, ease of use, and suitability for a given activity by any set of metrics are critical to their adoption and use. A discussion of the strengths, weaknesses, and applications of existing sustainability metrics and future needs for implementation or improvement is a critical discussion as the design, security, environmental, and other fields move forward with accepting sustainability concepts and resourcing changes to make sustainability improvements.
3. Sustainability within Civil Engineering: A Cross Cutting Concept or a New Sub-Discipline?
Is sustainability a separate sub-discipline of civil engineering or a cross-cutting design and construction consideration? The future of sustainability within civil engineering may reside with specialists, but may also need to be part of the broad based civil engineering education described by the “raise the bar” initiative. The merits and consequences of both approaches is worthy of discussion by ASCE as is the importance, or not, of specialty credentialing for sustainability by civil engineers.
4. Climate Change and Civil Engineering
There are many challenging areas when dealing with the topic of sustainability, but climate change adaptation is one of the most controversial. Many of the leading scientists and engineers now agree that climate change is occurring, but understanding how, when, or whether to plan for adaptation is not well understood or in wide agreement. A discussion of the considerations and planning horizons when climate change should be considered and upon whom the responsibility for such design changes rests is an area lacking consensus within the civil engineering community.
5. Infrastructure & Economic Development
The nation’s infrastructure is the foundation of our economy. In recent testimony before Congress, ASCE urged economic recovery legislation to contain significant new funding for many of the nation’s aging infrastructure systems – the indispensable lifelines of our economy. Without a modern, functioning infrastructure system, economic recovery will be more difficult and our nation’s economic health, competitive advantage, and quality of life will be at risk. The sustainability of the Nation’s infrastructure is at risk and as experts working in the “built environment”, what additional initiatives should be undertaken by ASCE and the civil engineering community to fulfill their professional responsibilities to the public in this area?
6. Addressing the Nation’s Critical Infrastructure
America’s infrastructure can only be described as vulnerable and a key subset of the Nation’s vulnerable infrastructure is that which is considered “critical”. However, the means to identify, prioritize, and generally make the public aware of the severe risks associated with critical infrastructure are far from mature and are being developed through a range of groups to include civil engineers. The 2009 Infrastructure Report Card lists America’s Infrastructure GPA as a “D”, with an estimated 5 year investment needed of $2.2 Trillion to bring it up to par. With so many competing interests vying for funding, what actions are needed to highlight and address the needs of critical infrastructure and how can ASCE and the civil engineering community be more effective in these processes?
7. Civil Engineering in the Information Age
Many of the evolutions in design practice, disaster response, communication with stakeholders, or simply communicating effectively with the recent civil engineering graduates is requiring new means and modes of communication. For example, disaster response during the recent earthquake in Haiti was guided by the use of Social Media when the “official” communication systems failed. This use of cell phone texting was a key means for guiding US Marines to survivors trapped in the rubble. How will civil engineers engage with new media forms, software based design, and the full range of stakeholder and possible client interactions in this new information age? Is the business of civil engineering sustainable without change and what are the concerns about change?
8. Development of the Civil Engineering Professional
In a world with rapid population growth, changing climate, environmental concerns, and a greatly expanded Body of Knowledge, what are the experiences, credentials, and skills required of the 21st Century Civil Engineering “Master Integrator”? Individual qualities such as a civil engineer’s ethical responsibilities to the public, employer, and profession; involvement in the political process that authorizes and appropriates civil works; and exercising sound leadership and management skills to not only be individually successful, but provide corporate success for the Nation are all discussions that require continued debate and reinforcement of fundamental principles.
9. New Mechanisms for Funding Sustainable Infrastructure
Probably the most challenging aspect of any infrastructure idea is funding the concept. Designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining sustainable infrastructure may be a widely accepted concept until funding is discussed. As reported by the ASCE Infrastructure Report Card, the infrastructure needs greatly exceed resources to repair or replace. While there is no single solution, innovative funding mechanisms or changes to existing funding methods may bring some relief. For example, the concept of Ecosystems Service Markets seeks to attract private funding in environmental restoration. Civil engineers can be the catalyst for changes in funding that provide for the greatest benefit from investments over the life cycle of any infrastructure or environmental restoration/sustainment project. Identifying the correct mechanism and effective advocacy, however, are keys to success.
10. New Concepts in Civil Engineering
The advancement of the information age, application of risk-based analyses, and systems-based planning and design are just a few of the concepts and initiatives that are evolving along with sustainable design. Whether these concepts develop as advantages to the civil engineering profession or challenges, in part, reflects how ASCE and the civil engineering profession engage with these new opportunities. Civil engineers are the best people to evaluate new concepts affecting their learned discipline, but ASCE and civil engineers must actively engage to move forward with the most effective development and applications of these concepts.
11. Career Paths for Undergrads
Why is the civil engineering degree being compared to a liberal arts one? Because graduates can do more with their civil engineering degree than just civil engineering. Engineering graduates can choose among a variety of professions that include government, consulting, education, industry, and construction. So, how should the profession and ASCE guide students and young graduates to a career path most appropriate for their interests and talents, and should ASCE advocate career paths outside of engineering for civil engineering graduates?
12. Integrating Multi-Generational Workforce and The Use of Social Media
Balancing the different needs and expectations of employees has never been more difficult. This issue is made even more acute by the pending large number of retirements from the baby boomer generation and the loss of their extensive technical expertise. As companies bring new people into their organizations, what are the challenges, changes, and opportunities the company leadership should consider to change their operation from good to great? How can industry use social media to maximize and be more effective in today’s business environment? Can and how does the younger generation exhibit an advantage in the 21st Century Information Technology world?
13. Personal Career Development
A goal of any profession is to provide guidance to its members on objectives, accomplishments, leadership, and work positions that demonstrate personal success to the individual and their peers. If the civil engineering profession wants to attract and retain the “best and brightest” talent, we need to show engineers and aspiring engineers pathways and qualities needed for advancement and how to develop the appropriate mix of leaders, managers and technical capabilities. Is their confusion or frustration with the workforce concerning opportunities and how should employers, mentors, and ASCE respond to these needs? From entry level to CEOs what are the leadership qualities needed to face the challenges affecting the civil engineering community?
Deadline For Receipt of Proposals: tuesday, january 25, 2011.
Session Ideas Proposal Form
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF PROPOSALS: TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011
Instructions
§ This is an interactive form. Please double click on checkboxes to open the appropriate dialog box.
§ Please type or print all information.
§ Send completed form by January 25, 2011 to Rachel Schmidt at
or FAX (703) 295-6329
§ For additional information contact Rachel Schmidt at ASCE, (800) 548-2723, ext 6110
ASCE Committee (if appropriate):Lead Contact (All correspondence will be sent to the individual listed in this section)
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Session Ideas Proposal Form (Cont)
Program Format:
Concurrent Program Session (90 minutes)Panel Discussion (90 minutes)
Topics (Select one. Please see Topic Information for more details.)
1. Sustainability in Action / 8. Development of the Civil Engineering Professional2. Sustainability Metrics / 9. New Mechanisms for Funding
Sustainable Infrastructure
3. Sustainability Within Civil Engineering:
A Cross Cutting Concept or a New Sub-
Discipline? / 10. New Concepts in Civil Engineering
4. Climate Change and Civil Engineering / 11. Career Paths for Undergrads
5. Infrastructure & Economic Development / 12. Integrating Multi-Generational
Workforce and the Use of Social Media
6. Addressing the Nation’s Critical
Infrastructure / 13. Personal Career Development
7. Civil Engineering in the Information Age
Program Title (Limit to 7 words):