EERI is currently accepting applications from practicing professionals who wish to participate in the Friedman Family Visiting Professionals (FFVP) Program. This program, permanently endowed by the Friedman Family, focuses on fostering better understanding and communication between and among earthquake practitioners and academics. It has been in continuous operation since 1997 and 38 professionals have made over 280 visits in the last 25 years.
Both student chapters and visiting professionals have raved about the importance of this program and its incredible benefits to undergraduate and graduate students. The program objectives are to:
- Improve the understanding of students and faculty of the active professional earthquake engineering and risk reduction community
- Enhance the understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of earthquake engineering
- Increase the professional's understanding of the educational process
- Utilize the unique intellectual resources of EERI to broker useful relationships
- Use the resources of EERI to help students understand and consider professional careers associated with earthquake engineering and earthquake risk reduction
If you would like to participate as a visiting professional in the program, click here to apply! The application deadline is Friday, October 4, 2024 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Selected applicants will participate in the 2024-2025 program year and will make their visit to their matched university in the first half of 2025.
The position of a Friedman Family Visiting Professional is a volunteer position. Applicants must be practicing professionals and EERI members in good standing. This program looks for ambassadors of EERI who are willing to travel to student chapters and share their experiences in their field and how EERI has impacted their careers by giving a lecture and participating in additional informal activities. Participating professionals must be available to communicate regularly with EERI staff, travel to universities (mainly the US and Canada with a few other international locations), and engage actively with undergraduate and graduate students to plan and execute their visit. EERI provides travel stipends to cover travel and lodging for your visits. Some visits may also be held virtually due to funding or other circumstances.
EERI and the FFVP Program are interested in applicants who:
- Are role models for their discipline and field.
- Are dedicated to EERI and its vision and mission (see here).
- Are involved in EERI and can speak about its impact on their career.
- Have a strong desire to meet and interact with undergraduate and graduate student members of EERI student chapters.
- Are interested in interacting with university faculty members.
- Can plan their own travel and coordinate logistics with the student chapter members.
To be considered, please submit a written statement and a CV/resume using this form. Note that the application form requires a Google account to submit. If you do not have a Google account and can not make one, you can submit your materials by sending them in an email attachment to
Your written statement should include the following:
- Why are you interested in being a Friedman Family Visiting Professional?
- What is your experience as a speaker and working with students?
- What are the potential topics you could discuss during a lecture? (View current topics here).
- What added value would you bring to the FFVP Program?
Questions about the FFVP application process should be sent to
