Who We Are:

The Graduates in Earth, Life, and Social Sciences (GELSS) is a recognized association within Arizona State University, formed by an integrative group of graduate students from different departments of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. GELSS was born in the year 2000 with the idea of bringing students from Life Sciences, Geography, Anthropology, Sociology and Geology to present their research at a symposium. Since then, the annual symposia have continued to involve ASU graduates from an increasingly diverse range of disciplines every year.

Purpose:

The goal of GELSS is to encourage increased interaction among research groups both within and among departments, and to facilitate future cooperative projects. In that line, we intend to strengthen the body of graduate students at ASU, with an emphasis in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. We also help undergraduate students seeking for advice in the natural and social sciences, and reach out for the community through our public activities.

Being a GELSS Member:

It is important that all the schools, centers, or departments within the Earth, Life, and Social sciences are represented in GELSS. Active members of GELSS are committed to attend meetings and contribute their ideas about helping to organize our activities.  Everyone is welcome !
There are lots of tasks that need to be covered in order to prepare a high quality symposium and panel discussion, including: fundraising, advertising, web-design, abstract submission, programs, name tags, inviting speakers, judging, audiovisual, catering, t-shirts, and after-party.  Some of these tasks require a lot of involvement, while others are specific to the day of the conference only.  Other tasks involve only e-help, for example helping undergrads find their way into the academic life of grad school.
Hence it's easy to be a member even if you can't commit a large amount of time.  You can be involved as little or as much as you can, so the time commitment depends on you. 

Benefits of becoming a member:

First, it is a great way to branch out and make friends with other grads in different departments whom you otherwise might never meet.  You get a chance to see what it takes to organize a symposium and a panel discussion, which is a precious experience for anyone in the academia. You get involved with the ASU community and get the chance to participate in many outreach actitivies. It also improves your resume and needless to say that it is fun!

If you're interested in participating, please contact the current GELSS chairs:
Joanna Malukiewicz and Katie Alexander

Contact us with any questions you may have.