Dr. Weizhe Weng, environmental economist and assistant professor in the Department of Food and Resource Economics at UF, is currently participating as a mentee in the prestigious Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (AERE) Scholars Program for 2024.
AERE, a global association with members from over thirty nations, was established in 1979. Its reach and influence make the organization a truly international platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing that facilitates innovation in the field of environmental and resource economics. The Scholars Program, which is now in its fourth cohort, was developed by AERE to support early-career environmental economists in navigating the challenges of the early stages of their careers and achieving success in the field.
“Environmental issues are pressing nowadays, and the field of environmental economics is seeking innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to tackle and address these challenges,” Weng said. “Those efforts are essential for furthering the discipline and addressing important real-world questions.”
Weng, who joined UF in 2022, is an environmental economist whose research emphasizes the innovative use of economic and interdisciplinary frameworks to quantify the interactions between human and natural systems. This provides a science-based foundation for supporting effective policymaking.
Weng first joined AERE as a graduate student and was thrilled at the opportunity to continue her journey with the organization.
“Attending AERE meetings since I was a graduate student has been instrumental in my growth from a student to an assistant professor,” Weng said. “Through my journey with AERE, I have gained invaluable research experience and knowledge in environmental economics, as well as long-term friends and mentors. “
During her two-year program involvement, Weng was paired with Dr. Heidi J. Albers, a well-known conservation economist from the University of Wyoming.
Weng also participated in a kickoff meeting with the current and previous cohorts at the recent AERE annual conference and will continue the dialogue and conversation throughout the rest of the program. She looks forward to continuing to apply the lessons learned to ongoing, timely economics research into environmental issues, such as her Archer Early Career Grant-funded research into Florida drinking water quality.
“Through the program, I hope to grow by enhancing my ability to conduct impactful research with real-world implications,” Weng said. “Additionally, I look forward to connecting with scholars who share similar research interests, fostering collaborations, and gaining insights that will enrich my academic and professional journey.”
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