There are several Committees of the Academy that help us fulfill our strategic goals. If you are interested in joining any of these committees, please contact aaj@aia.org.
Leadership committee
The AAJ is governed by a four-member Leadership Group. Each member is appointed by the American Institute of Architects to serve a four-year term in a rotation with the other members. During the course of the four-year term, each member will serve as Vice-Chair and Chair and act as a liaison to AAJ subcommittees. It is desirable that one member be an emerging professional, and one member be employed by a public entity.
Communications committee
The AAJ Communications committee will provide outreach to components, universities (dedicated to the growth, development, and expansion of our recent graduates and newly licensed architects), and justice partner organizations. This committee will also write and/or share articles for AAJ newsletters. Original articles can be focused on current issues specific to the justice market; highlight projects selected for the annual AAJ Justice Facility Awards; and could provide an “in the news” section where you can find information on upcoming AAJ events and programs. The Communications Committee will also work on the development of an updated AAJ mission.
Education committee
The Education Committee will determine and develop programming for AIAU courses presented by AAJ. This includes identifying topics, reaching out to speakers, and working with the AIAU team. This committee may also develop resources for the AAJ website
Fall Conference committee
The AAJ Fall Conference is an annual 2.5 day conference with sessions organized by members, keynotes, and local justice facilities tours, etc. The event attracts 200 to 300 people – the total spectrum of owners, design professionals, contractors, vendors, operators, and financiers, active within the criminal justice building community. We strive to have architects include their clients in the sessions so we have the opportunity to hear from both the architects'/designers’ perspectives as well as the owner/client.
Research committee
The AIA/AAJ Research Committee is committed to supporting design decision-making through scientific research for its members, in a user-friendly manner. Towards that objective, the subcommittee has successfully completed a number of initiatives over the past 7 years, including an original research study principally sponsored by the National Institute of Corrections, three workshop/seminars on applying neuroscience concepts to correctional and court facility research and research for sustainable justice facilities.
Learn more about the committee's work on AAJ Research webpage.
NextGen Committee
The NextGen subcommittee is committed to evolving justice architecture and supporting the growth of professionals at the early stages of their careers who practice in this complex field. This subcommittee strives to provide a platform for the dissemination of NextGen ideas; encourage NextGen involvement in all areas of AAJ; inspire collaboration among NextGens on original projects; urge firm support of NextGen conference attendance, and stimulate career-long relationships among NextGens. The goal of this subcommittee is to create a foundation for future generations of justice architecture specialists. Please contact aaj@aia.org if you'd like to get involved.
(For clarification: an AAJ Emerging Professional is defined as anyone with 0-10 years in the justice sector.)
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We hope that you will consider forming a new local component, or to support the programs of the existing locations.