Work With Us
LSU CEDS is always looking for grant-funded projects, programs, and research partners whose goals/objectives, interests, and work align with our organizational mission. If you value interdisciplinary work in a team environment, we’d love to hear from you. Contact mberg41@lsu.edu to arrange a Studio tour and let’s discuss how we might work together.
Though part of Louisiana State University, a State-funded institution of higher learning, LSU CEDS is not State-funded. LSU CEDS is 100% self-funded through grants and gifts, which is why the Studio continuously strives to work on high-profile, high-value projects and programs. Therefore, funding for all staff—permanent and temporary—is grant and gift dependent, a condition sometimes referred to as “soft money.”
Studio Staff
Current Studio funding is supported through several multiyear grants, providing sufficient short-term revenue streams for all current staff members. Should any staff vacancies arise, LSU CEDS will post job openings through the LSU Human Resources Department. If you would like to express interest in working with the Studio, you may reach out at any time and we will keep your information on file should a staff vacancy occur.
Summer Internships
LSU CEDS hosts an annual summer internship program in its highly collaborative, interdisciplinary studio situated at the Water Campus in Baton Rouge. Summer Institute projects are site-specific and address tasks associated with two research projects that embrace the Engineering with Nature initiative within U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Students work in teams, supervised by university researchers, to develop ecosystem design approaches that solve challenges of living and working in dynamic coastal landscapes. Qualified candidates (current students or recent graduates) with interests as varied as (but not limited to) geosciences, systems ecology, civil & environmental engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, geography, environmental law & policy, history, resource economics, and community planning are invited to apply. The period of performance is usually eight (8) weeks during June and July, for which interns will be compensated $6400. Interns will cover their own transportation and living expenses. To apply, please email no later than February 15, 2024, the following to mberg41@lsu.edu: (1) a 2-page Letter of Interest outlining who you are and why you’re interested in this Summer Internship; (2) a resume’ demonstrating performance in your area of study; and (3) sample work. Design students may include three design samples. Engineering and science students may include descriptions of research, other summer programs, or research papers. Social sciences, law, and communications students may include writing samples.
The LSU Coastal Ecosystem Design Studio (CEDS) builds capacity for public agencies, communities, and businesses by bringing together a variety of disciplines to address the most pressing issues facing coastal and delta regions. This also includes any other areas that may face dynamic water problems (high-impact storms and flooding) as a result of extraordinary weather patterns. Through trans-disciplinary projects, programs, products/tools/resources, and lifetime learning opportunities (workshops, lectures, etc.); CEDS connects a variety of subject matter experts who can analyze problems holistically and contribute to innovative problem-solving through systems design thinking. By fostering these valuable connections and collaborations, CEDS builds a collective body of knowledge that benefits community and economic development and resilience.
Giving
Grants and gifts to the LSU Coastal Ecosystem Design Studio (CEDS) support our vision of expanding the horizon of what solutions are possible to address the issues facing people living in the world’s deltas and coastal areas. Following are examples of how your gift may be used:
- Enhance LSU students’ educational experiences by sponsoring CEDS student worker positions, internships, and Graduate Assistantships; or underwriting unique courses and design studios related to coastal challenges; and hosting lectures, a lecture series, or a workshop.
- Underwrite innovative coastal research and/or design by financially supporting participation in an organized competition. For example, in the past, LSU CEDS has spearheaded a New Project Fund (faculty compete with interdisciplinary project/product ideas) and paid entrance fees for international design competitions, such as Venice Biennale and Changing Course.
- Improve communications and understanding related to the State’s coastal issues and plans through publications, science-based images, displays, exhibits, and other types of graphic visualizations.
- Help build community resiliency through publications, on-line resources, and events such as charrettes and workshops where CEDS pairs community leaders one-on-one with community planning experts to talk about the tough challenges in their hometowns.
To discuss ideas for CEDS grants and giving, contact Mary Bergeron at mberg41@lsu.edu to schedule a Studio visit or phone call.