人間・環境学会（MERA）は、環境デザインや行動科学に興味を持つ研究者・教育者・実務家によって構成された学際的研究会で、1982年に設立されました（設立の経緯はこちらをご覧ください）。2004年現在、会員数は約300名です。本学会の研究活動は、講演と見学からなる研究会（年3回）、および、会員の研究発表の場としての大会（年1回）を中心として行っています。また、学会活動の成果は、MERA Journal（年2回発行）とMERA Newsletter（随時発行）として公刊しています。

さらに、同じ目的をもつ国際的組織である、EDRA（Environmental Design Research Association, 1968〜）、IAPS（International Association for People-Environment Studies, 1981〜）、PaPER（People and Physical Environment Research, 1980〜）の３団体と協力し、ジョイント・セミナーやシンポジウムなどを開催しています。

MERAのメンバーの主たる関心の対象は以下の領域です。

  • 種々の構築環境が人間の生活・行動にどのような影響を与えるかについての研究
  • 人間の諸要求に適合する環境をつくり出していく計画・設計過程の探求
  • 生活環境の質を向上させるための基礎的な科学研究の振興とその適切な応用に関する研究

MERAの活動

人間・環境学会（MERA）では次の活動を行っています。

研究会

人間-環境研究に関するトピックを取り上げた研究会です。年3回程度開催しています。詳細はこちら。

大会

年1回行っている研究発表会です。会員の推薦があればどなたでも発表できます。詳細はこちら。

国際シンポジウムなど

MERA97、APSEBR

What is MERA

Man-Environment Research Association (MERA), founded in 1982 is an interdisciplinary research association. It was organized by researchers, educators and practitioners who have the interest in environment, design and behavioural sciences. MERA’s primary objectives are to facilitate the advancement of the science and technology of human-environment research. This research is beneficial to the creation of an environment which meets the human demands and advances the quality of life through the mutual understanding of human behaviour and in both built and natural environment.
EDRA (Environment Design Research Association, established 1968), IAPS (International Association for People-Environment Studies, established 1981) and PAPER (People and Physical Environment Research, established 1980) are the active international and interdisciplinary organizations which also share the same goals of MERA.

MERA’s affiliation with the above mentioned three international associations was discussed at the EDRA 16 Meeting sponsored by City University of New York in 1985, and agreement was reached among the four associations to approve a special discount membership and registration fee for the convention and sponsoring Joint Seminars among the members of these associations.

Field of Interests
The following fields are of major interest to MERA members.

  • Research of the various influences of built environment that shape human life and behavior.
  • Exploration into the planning and designing processes of environment which meet human needs.
  • Promoting of basic scientific research and applying the results to facilitate the quality of the living environment.

Activities of MERA

There are to be 4 Research Meetings per year (including one business meeting) at which specific topics are to reported upon from various fields and also at which interdisciplinary discussions are to be held among the participants.

Joint Seminars with EDRA, IAPS, and PAPER at their meetings are planned, and also MERA members will organize independent workshops and seminars, e.g., 1st Japan-US Seminar on Environment and Behavior Studies in 1980, 2nd US-Japan Seminar in 1985, 3rd Japan-US Seminar in 1990 and 4th US-Japan Seminar in 1995.

Publication of the Research Journal (MERA Journal): MERA will publish its own Journal and sent to each member. The contribution of research articles and reviews will be encouraged.