Emily J. Haas, PhD, has spent her career making high-hazard work safer—especially in mining. She’s Associate Director for Science at NIOSH’s Division of Safety Research, and in March she joined the SME Board of Directors at the MINEXCHANGE 2026 SME Annual Meeting and Expo in Salt Lake City. I caught up with Haas about what drew her to SME, what she’s focused on now, and where she sees the industry heading.
You’ve been involved with SME for years—how did that path lead you to the Board?
Haas: My path has been a mix of research, service, and a commitment to health and safety. I got more active in SME around 2014, and it quickly became a professional home where I could learn across disciplines and help connect research to practice. I’ve stayed involved in the Health and Safety Division (including two years as Division Chair), edited the 2024 Health and Safety Handbook to support the CMSP body of knowledge, and served on the Industry Innovation Strategic Committee. Joining the Board feels like the next way to serve members.
Now that you’re on the Board, what are you focused on first?
Haas: I’m excited to help SME keep connecting technical excellence with the human side of mining. We can strengthen communication across divisions and create more spaces where students, early-career professionals, researchers, operators, and leaders learn from each other. Because my work is about translating knowledge into action, I’m especially interested in how SME can make that easier for members. I’m also looking forward to contributing to SME’s new strategic plan, grounded in member feedback.
For someone who’s new to SME (or thinking about joining), what would you tell them?
Haas: Get involved before you feel fully ready. SME is a powerful network, but you get the most out of it when you show up, ask questions, and volunteer. Stay curious and listen to people who’ve spent their careers in the industry—that’s where I learned the practical realities of the work. And remember: technical expertise matters, but so do communication and the ability to work across disciplines.
From your perspective, what’s the biggest opportunity for SME right now—and the biggest challenge?
Haas: The opportunity is helping members navigate a fast-changing industry. Mining sits at the center of energy, infrastructure, and supply chains—while also balancing workforce needs, safety performance, environmental expectations, and rapid tech change. SME can bring people together to see how those issues connect. Technology can boost safety and efficiency, but only when organizations are ready to implement it well—with systems and leaders that help people adapt.
What trends are you paying closest attention to in mining right now?
Haas: Mining is getting more data-driven and technology-enabled—automation, AI, predictive analytics, and connected systems are showing up everywhere. These tools can surface risks earlier, but they also raise questions about readiness, trust, and whether information reaches the people who need it. That’s a chance for SME to lead conversations about how technology and human experience fit together to improve mining—and to keep widening the tent as new roles and disciplines enter the workforce.
What’s stood out to you in your first stretch on the Board?
Haas: I’ve been struck by how committed the Board is to serving members and keeping SME relevant and responsive. I’m excited to bring a lens shaped by translating evidence into practical tools—and by building conversations that help people make safer decisions.
Is there a quote (or idea) you come back to?
Haas: I come back to “people support what they help create,” along with “clear is kind.” People need both voice and clarity. The best solutions start with listening, pairing technical expertise with lived experience, and making expectations clear enough for people to trust and use.
Anything you want to leave SME members with?
Haas: I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve and excited to keep learning from members. I value the range of expertise across SME, and I’d love to keep widening the diversity of perspectives. Please reach out and share ideas—strong professional community matters, and I want to help members make the most of opportunities to connect with and learn from one another.
As Haas steps into her new role on the SME Board, her message is simple: the biggest gains come when technical know-how meets real-world experience—and when more voices are in the room. She’s eager to hear from members and help turn good ideas into actions that make mining safer, smarter, and more connected.
P.S. Nominations for the 2028–2031 Board terms are open now and close July 1. Interested? Submit your nomination (you can nominate someone else—or self-nominate).
