The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA) is pleased to announce the 2026 Winter Speaker Series, “Building a Port for the Future.” Hosted in partnership with leaders from the Port of Seattle, the Northwest Seaport Alliance, and the U.S. Coast Guard, this year’s series will explore how ports shape economic opportunity, community well-being, and environmental resilience across the region.
Running from January 15 through February 26, the series brings together senior executives, commissioners, environmental planners, SMEA alumni, and federal sector leadership for weekly conversations on the challenges and opportunities facing modern maritime systems. 

The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs will hold its next faculty meeting on Thursday, December 4th, at 12:00 pm. Please see below for location details:
MAR Room 268  or via Zoom
A copy of the meeting agenda 12-4-25 Faculty Meeting Agenda is provided. Please contact Hailie Borges (hrb25@uw.edu) with any questions or for more information. 

Reconnect with the School of Marine & Environmental Affairs (SMEA) at our 2025 reception! This biennial gathering brings together alumni, students, faculty, and friends to celebrate our community, share updates, and strengthen connections in marine and environmental affairs.
Date: November 22, 2025Time: 5:00–7:00 PMLocation: Silver Cloud Hotel (SODO, Stadium Location)
21+ Event
RSVP here: UW SMEA COMMUNITY RECEPTION AT PACIFIC MARINE EXPO 2025 

The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA) is pleased to announce its Winter 2026 Speaker Series, themed “Building a Port for the Future.” This series explores the critical role of ports and marine transportation in supporting the vibrant marine economy of the Pacific Northwest.
The seven-part series brings together regional experts to discuss key issues shaping the maritime sector, including:

Maritime infrastructure and global trade

The port as a civic engine

Safety and security in maritime transportation

Marine energy and decarbonization

Environmental stewardship

Economic impact and community equity

The future of ports

Each session features a presentation followed by a lively Q&A discussion, offering opportunities for engagement and learning across the university and broader community. 

The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs is pleased to announce Rear Admiral Steve Metruck, U.S. Coast Guard (retired), and Executive Director of the Port of Seattle, has joined us as Professor of Practice in addition to his role as Executive Director of the Port of Seattle.
With a distinguished over forty-year career spanning maritime leadership and public service, Metruck brings extensive experience as both a U.S. 

Now more than ever, students at the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA) are committed to making a real-world impact. SMEA students are critical thinkers with diverse lived experiences and a passion for the environment. Our graduates are equipped to seize opportunities and resolve complex environmental problems in our local communities, nation, and around the globe.
Make a gift today to the SMEA Graduate Student Fellowship Fund. 

The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs will hold its next faculty meeting on Monday, September 29, at 2:30 pm. Please see below for location details:
MAR Room 268  or via Zoom
A copy of the meeting agenda,9-29-25 Faculty Meeting Agenda is provided. Please contact Hailie Borges (hrb25@uw.edu) with any questions or for more information. 

SMEA is proud to share a new paper published in Fisheries Research titled Assessing the social-ecological dimensions of Dungeness crab fishery closures in Southeast Alaska from analysis of public records.
The study was led by SMEA alum Rondi Nordal (Class of 2024), with faculty coauthors Anne Beaudreau and Erendira Aceves-Bueno, in collaboration with NOAA colleagues.
Drawing on more than a decade of public meeting records, the research takes a deep look at how decisions about fishery closures are shaped not only by ecological goals, but also by social, cultural, and subsistence needs. 

Heading to the Pacific Marine Expo in Seattle this November? Join us for the UW School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA) Community Reception at the Silver Cloud Hotel (Seattle Stadium location). Enjoy small bites and beverages, reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and unwind after the expo. Save-the-date. More details coming soon!

Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
Location: Silver Cloud Hotel, (Seattle’s SODO District) 9th Floor, Avene One Ballroom
Time: 5:00 PM

Adults 21+ only—thank you for understanding! 

A new study co-authored by SMEA Director Dr. Nives Dolšak has been published in PLOS ONE, examining how the nationality of waste-to-energy (WtE) facility operators influences public support for these projects.
The research focuses on Thailand, where WtE projects are gaining attention as a potential solution to both energy and waste management challenges. Through a large-scale survey experiment, the study explores how public perceptions, environmental values, and international partnerships intersect when it comes to sustainable infrastructure.