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 

Faculty from the University of Washington School of Marine and Environmental Affairs will host an upcoming workshop focused on the role of public comment in shaping policy. “The Power of Public Comment” will explore how science and research can be used to inform and strengthen public participation in policymaking.
The workshop will feature Ryan Kelly, PhD, JD, professor and associate director at SMEA—along with Lauren Kuehne, MS. 

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! 

The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs will hold its next faculty meeting on Thursday, June 5, at 12:00 pm. Please see below for location details:
OCN Room 203  or via Zoom
A copy of the meeting agenda,06.05.25 Faculty Meeting Agenda Final, is provided. Please contact Hailie Borges (hrb25@uw.edu) with any questions or for more information. 

Congratulations to our soon-to-be graduates for the 2025 theses and capstone presentations! 

Please join us on Friday, May 16 and 23, as some of our soon-to-be graduates share their theses and capstone work.
Presentations will be followed by a short Q&A.
Join us in person in MAR 168, or over Zoom:
https://washington.zoom.us/j/96145092750?pwd=FuVYbVxI0fbi37CaFV6aaiaOprdbaS.1
Meeting ID: 961 4509 2750
Passcode: 292533
We look forward to having you join us!
We look forward to having you join us! 

A recent paper published in the journal FACETS features seven SMEA authors, titled Excavating the regulatory process and risks posed by Alaska hardrock mine expansions.
Open-access available here!
This paper represents the culmination of a SMEA capstone project! We hope it will be of interest to a broad audience, including NEPA practitioners, applied scientists, and citizens that current or future mining operations may impact. 

The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs will hold its next faculty meeting on Thursday, May 1, at 12:00 pm. Please see below for location details:
MAR Room 268 or via Zoom
A copy of the meeting agenda,05.01.25 Faculty Meeting Agenda final, is provided. Please contact Hailie Borges (hrb25@uw.edu) with any questions or for more information.