About

About our Division

ISA’s technical divisions are open only to ISA members. Covering a wide variety of industries and technologies, members are encouraged to join as many divisions as they choose.

Through your division, you will:

  • Build a network of peers working in similar settings
  • Receive access to the division community and communications
  • Participate in live, online technical discussions in ISA Connect Live
  • Learn in ISA OnPoint technical presentations
  • Discover opportunities to gain leadership and technical expertise through the division board or writing technical content

The Education and Research Division (ERD) is concerned with promoting and advancing academic and industrial research and educational initiatives and activities related to the mission of the Society. Initiatives include fostering research in industry and academia; organizing conference sessions; contributing to and/or reviewing papers for technical journals, such as ISA Transactions; furnishing ISA’s delegate to the American Automatic Control Council (AACC); promoting automation engineering, automation related courses and programs; and supporting student programs such as student competitions. The Division will function as a resource and technical information exchange for students, faculty, education professionals, and others with interest in research and education. Members will have the opportunity to share experiences and learn from their peers. The division will work with other groups within ISA to support faculty and student members and sections.

E&RD will help provide information and access to academic resources related to automation education. Those goals include providing members with information related to schools, programs, ISA Educational Foundation Scholarships, and courses related to automation.

Conferences and Events
ISA Conferences and Events  - ISA offers virtual events—including webinars, virtual conferences, and ISA Connect Live—across a variety of topics. 
American Control Conference - E&RD supports the American Automatic Control Council (AACC) by providing volunteers. For more information, email our section delegate.
E&RD Seminars targeted to students - Visit the Event section of our page, located at the top of this page (login required)

Publications and Recorded Presentations

ISA Transactions®, published by the ISA, is a journal of advances and state-of-the-art in the science and engineering of measurement and automation, of value to leading-edge industrial practitioners and applied researchers. The journal's intend to bridge the theory and practice gap, results in a high impact factor (5.468 in 2020). 
ISA OnPoint – technical recordings by ISA Divisions (members access only) -We invite you to share your idea for a recorded presentation as part of the ISA OnPoint series. Please email the E&RD president.
E&RD recorded seminars on PLCs can be found in individual subfolders under the  Seminar folder in the File Library.

Automation Courses and Programs

 ABET Accredited programs 

ISA supports the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) initiatives to accredit institutions of higher learning. ISA has the responsibility for establishing the criteria for accrediting programs in Instrumentation Engineering Technology.

In Canada, similar accreditation process is overseen by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) and the Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC).

There are many programs around the world that offer accredited automation, control, and instrumentation-related programs and courses. We would appreciate your contribution in helping us compile a list by completing this form:  https://forms.office.com/r/A94fS3BQLL.

Automation Engineering Degrees and Courses.xls (login required)

ISA Student Sections
Student Membership in ISA
ISA Scholarships

Students, are you looking for volunteer opportunities and a chance to practice leadership, time management and communication skills? Establishing or participating in a student section, chartered with ISA, is a great opportunity to enhance your resume and build soft skills.

Find out if your institution has a student section by clicking on the following link: Student Sections List, or learn how to establish one here: Student Section Establishment.