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Concurrent Sessions

Thematic Pathway Summary

  • A: Addressing Water Scarcity

  • B: Data and Technology Innovation for Climate Solutions and Sustainability

  • C: Traversing the Science Policy Interface in the Context of a Changing Climate    

  • D: Diverse Perspectives and Shared Approaches in Resilience and Sustainability

  • E: Innovative Practices for Sustainability Education

  • F: Improving Water Quality

  • G: Colleges Countering COVID

  • H: Governance in a Changing World: Food, Energy and Water

  • I: Climate and COVID: The Combined Impacts of Multiple Stressors

 

The Pathway Synthesis Workshop is a culminating session for each thematic pathway that ties together all the sessions in the pathway. Learn more about Thematic Pathways. 

To join a session: please login to the KI Storm  (Conference Registration Required)

January

5

Solutions to Quench the World’s Thirst – Solving Water Scarcity (A)

Strategic plans from policy makers, new knowledge and novel solutions are keys to holistic sustainable water management. This session allows stakeholders from diverse expertise to exchange ideas, knowledge and findings to identify the needs and approaches to address water scarcity facing the world in the climate change era.

Thematic Pathway

A

Presenters

How Yong Ng, Ph.D., Professor and Director, National University of Singapore Environmental Research Institute (NERI)

Srivatsan V Raghavan, Ph.D., Senior Research Fellow and Head, Climate and Water Research Cluster, Tropical Marine Science Institute (TMSI), National University of Singapore

Hilda Cecilia Tortajada Quiroz, Ph.D., Senior Research Fellow, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore

Moderator

How Yong Ng, Ph.D., Professor and Director, National University of Singapore Environmental Research Institute (NERI)

Session Organizer

How Yong Ng, Ph.D., Professor and Director, National University of Singapore Environmental Research Institute (NERI)

January

5

Solutions to Quench the World’s Thirst – Solving Water Scarcity (A)

Strategic plans from policy makers, new knowledge and novel solutions are keys to holistic sustainable water management. This session allows stakeholders from diverse expertise to exchange ideas, knowledge and findings to identify the needs and approaches to address water scarcity facing the world in the climate change era.

Thematic Pathway

A

Presenters

How Yong Ng, Ph.D., Professor and Director, National University of Singapore Environmental Research Institute (NERI)

Srivatsan V Raghavan, Ph.D., Senior Research Fellow and Head, Climate and Water Research Cluster, Tropical Marine Science Institute (TMSI), National University of Singapore

Hilda Cecilia Tortajada Quiroz, Ph.D., Senior Research Fellow, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore

Moderator

How Yong Ng, Ph.D., Professor and Director, National University of Singapore Environmental Research Institute (NERI)

Session Organizer

How Yong Ng, Ph.D., Professor and Director, National University of Singapore Environmental Research Institute (NERI)

January

5

Decision Tools for Systems-of-Systems Approaches to Environmental Security

Policy- and decision-makers need to identify solutions that ensure population health and security to climate risks. This session will discuss tools for examining how climate effects impact the performance of critical infrastructure and services and identifying solutions to improve their resilience.

Thematic Pathway

B

Presenters

Jenn Richkus, Research Environmental Scientist and Strategist, MITRE

Alex Schlichting, Ph.D, Energy & Environment Research Engineer, MITRE

Ken Harrison, Ph.D., Operations Research Analyst, NIST Community Resilience Group

Moderator

Mike Gremillion, Col USAF Ret, Director of the Center for Global Water Security at The University of Alabama

Session Organizer

Victoria Gammino, Ph.D., Chief Scientist, Global Health, MITRE; Alex Schlichting, Ph.D, Energy & Environment Research Engineer, MITRE

January

5

Decision Tools for Systems-of-Systems Approaches to Environmental Security (B)

Policy- and decision-makers need to identify solutions that ensure population health and security to climate risks. This session will discuss tools for examining how climate effects impact the performance of critical infrastructure and services and identifying solutions to improve their resilience.

Thematic Pathway

B

Presenters

Jenn Richkus, Environmental Science Researcher and Strategist, MITRE

Alex Schlichting, Ph.D, Energy & Environment Research Engineer, MITRE

Ken Harrison, Ph.D., Operations Research Analyst, NIST Community Resilience Group

Moderator

Mike Gremillion, Col USAF Ret, Director of the Center for Global Water Security at The University of Alabama

Session Organizer

Victoria Gammino, Ph.D., Chief Scientist, Global Health, MITRE; Alex Schlichting, Ph.D, Energy & Environment Research Engineer, MITRE

January

5

Smart Systems, People, and the Transition to Decarbonize Energy (B)

Session examines the application of design thinking to address risk mitigation in the interface among smart systems, tools, and users to meaningfully accelerate decarbonization at scale while enhancing value in supply chains.

Thematic Pathway

B

Presenters

Cheryl Heller, Ph.D., Director of Design Integration and Professor of Practice in Innovation Design, Arizona State University

Todd Taylor, M.S., Lecturer and Digital Technology Researcher, Thunderbird School at Arizona State University

Andrew Maynard, Ph.D., Director of the Risk Innovation Lab, Arizona State University

William Brandt, MBA, Director of Strategic Integration, LightWorks® an Arizona State University initiative

Moderator

Edward Saltzberg, Ph.D., Executive Director, Security and Sustainability Forum

Session Organizer

Edward Saltzberg, Ph.D., Executive Director, Security and Sustainability Forum

January

5

RISAs, Climate Hubs & CASCs: Federal Coordination Across Regional Networks (C)

Climate science-to-action networks at USDA, NOAA and DOI share a goal of supporting communities, landscapes, and sectors across the nation in becoming resilient to climate change. This panel will discuss how these three networks coordinate and collaborate at the federal level.

Thematic Pathway

C

Presenters

Rachel Steele, Ph.D., National Program Leader, USDA Climate Hubs, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Janet Cushings, Deputy Chief, National Climate Adaptation Science Centers, U.S. Geological Survey

Chelsea Combest-Friedman, Director, Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Moderator

Ariela Zycherman, Ph.D., Social Scientist and Program Manager, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Session Organizer

Ariela Zycherman, Ph.D., Social Scientist and Program Manager, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

January

5

RISAs, Climate Hubs & CASCs: Federal Coordination Across Regional Networks (C)

Climate science-to-action networks at USDA, NOAA and DOI share a goal of supporting communities, landscapes, and sectors across the nation in becoming resilient to climate change. This panel will discuss how these three networks coordinate and collaborate at the federal level.

Thematic Pathway

C

Presenters

Rachel Steele, Ph.D., National Program Leader, USDA Climate Hubs, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Janet Cushings, Deputy Chief, National Climate Adaptation Science Centers, U.S. Geological Survey

Chelsea Combest-Friedman, Director, Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Moderator

Ariela Zycherman, Ph.D., Social Scientist and Program Manager, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Session Organizer

Ariela Zycherman, Ph.D., Social Scientist and Program Manager, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

January

7

Climate Change Indicators for Agriculture: Understanding Risks and Impacts (C)

This session will focus on data sets for tracking, understanding, and managing the effects of changing temperatures and water availability on agriculture in the United States and describe results from a new USDA technical report on climate indicators for agriculture.

Thematic Pathway

C

Presenters

Lawrence Buja, Ph.D., Director of Strategic Initiatives, University of Nevada, Reno

Arthur Degaetano, Ph.D., Professor and Director, Northeast Regional Climate Center, Cornell University

Peter Backlund, M.A., Associate Director, School of Global Environmental Sustainability, Colorado State University

Moderator

Margaret Walsh, Ph.D., Senior Ecologist, Office of Energy and Environmental Policy, USDA

Session Organizer

Peter Backlund, M.A., Associate Director, School of Global Environmental Sustainability, Colorado State University

January

7

Colorado River Sustainability: Epicenter of Science, Environment, and Policy (C)

After enduring a crippling 20-year drought in the Colorado River basin, stakeholders, including states, U.S. and Mexican governments, Native American tribes, and non-governmental organizations, are finding new and innovative ways to sustain the River. This panel will address those efforts.

Thematic Pathway

C

Presenters

Brad Udall, J.D., Senior Water & Climate Scientist/Scholar, Colorado Water Center, Colorado State University

Ted Kowalski, J.D., Colorado River Initiate Lead and Senior Program Officer, Walton Family Foundation

T. Daryl Vigil, Jicarilla Apache, Jemez Pueblo, Zia Peublo, Co-Director Water & Tribes in the Colorado River Basin

Moderator

Jennifer Gimbel, J.D., Senior Water Policy Scholar, Colorado Water Center; Colorado State University

Session Organizer

Jennifer Gimbel, J.D., Senior Water Policy Scholar, Colorado Water Center; Colorado State University

January

7

Communicating in Crisis: Sharing Research Related to COVID-19 (C)

What have we learned about science communication from the COVID-19 pandemic? The panelists will discuss efforts to share research and expertise related to the pandemic and what they teach us about how to communicate science to decision makers and the public in a time of crisis.

Thematic Pathway

C

Presenters

Diana Brazzell, Co-founder & Executive Editor, Footnote

Mónica Feliú-Mójer, Ph.D., Director of Communications and Science Outreach, Ciencia Puerto Rico

Elyse Aurbach, Ph.D., Public Engagement Lead at the Center for Academic Innovation, University of Michigan

Moderator

Diana Brazzell, Co-founder & Executive Editor, Footnote

Session Organizer

Diana Brazzell, Co-founder & Executive Editor, Footnote

January

5

The Emergence of Local Scale Climate Action and Policy: Why, How, and Who (D)

This session examines how local institutions are incorporating new strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change in the absence of significant, comprehensive climate policy at the global, federal and state levels.

Thematic Pathway

D

Presenters

Stephen Arturo Greenlaw, Ph.D., Research Assistant, Center for Arctic Policy Studies, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Abigail Steffen, Research Assistant, Center for Arctic Policy Studies, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Alice Laird, Executive Director of Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER), based in Carbondale, CO

Moderator

Ana Unruh Cohen, Ph.D., Staff Director, U.S House of Representatives Select Committee on the Climate Crisis

Session Organizer

Maureen Biermann, M.S., Program Coordinator, Center for Arctic Policy Studies, University of Alaska Fairbanks

January

5

The Emergence of Local Scale Climate Action and Policy: Why, How, and Who (D)

This session examines how local institutions are incorporating new strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change in the absence of significant, comprehensive climate policy at the global, federal and state levels.

Thematic Pathway

D

Presenters

Stephen Arturo Greenlaw, Research Assistant, Center for Arctic Policy Studies, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Abigail Steffen, Research Assistant, Center for Arctic Policy Studies, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Jenna Lozano, Undergraduate Student, University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Moderator

Ana Unruh Cohen, Ph.D., Staff Director, U.S House of Representatives Select Committee on the Climate Crisis

Session Organizer

Maureen Biermann, M.S., Program Coordinator, Center for Arctic Policy Studies, University of Alaska Fairbanks

January

5

Learning From Living Labs: Regenerative Social-Ecological Research and Teaching (E)

“Living Laboratories” offer unique ways to research, teach and support regenerative social-ecological systems through interdisciplinary, placed-based experiential learning and action. Our session will highlight the last two years of “living lab” work by our four institutions in partnership with nonprofits, businesses and tribal governments around the Lake Superior watershed.

Thematic Pathway

E

Presenters

Charles Levkoe, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Sustainable Food Systems, Lakehead University

Randel Hanson, Ph.D, Co-Director of Eco-Entrepreneurship, Lake Superior Community College

Nairne Cameron, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Geography, Algoma University

Moderator

Kathryn Milun, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Legal Anthropology, University of Minnesota, Duluth

Session Organizer

Kathryn Milun, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Legal Anthropology, University of Minnesota, Duluth

January

5

Learning From Living Labs: Regenerative Social-Ecological Research and Teaching (E)

“Living Laboratories” offer unique ways to research, teach and support regenerative social-ecological systems through interdisciplinary, placed-based experiential learning and action. Our session will highlight the last two years of “living lab” work by our four institutions in partnership with nonprofits, businesses and tribal governments around the Lake Superior watershed.

Thematic Pathway

E

Presenters

Charles Levkoe, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Sustainable Food Systems, Lakehead University

Randel Hanson, Ph.D, Co-Director of Eco-Entrepreneurship, Lake Superior Community College

Nairne Cameron, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Geography, Algoma University

Moderator

Kathryn Milun, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Legal Anthropology, University of Minnesota, Duluth

Session Organizer

Kathryn Milun, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Legal Anthropology, University of Minnesota, Duluth

January

5

Key Competencies in Sustainability – Areas of Convergence and Next Steps (E)

A key question for employers, students, educators, and administrators is what competencies sustainability programs develop in students. We present results from research addressing this question: convergence on key competencies in sustainability and its implication for curriculum design and careers.

Thematic Pathway

E

Presenters

Christopher Boone, Ph.D., Dean and Professor, School of Sustainability, College of Global Futures, Arizona State University

Matthias Barth, Ph.D., Adjunct Faculty, School of Sustainability, College of Global Futures Arizona State University, Professor, Institute for Integrated Research, Leuphana University

Katja Brundiers, Ph.D., Assistant Clinical Professor, School of Sustainability, College of Global Futures, Arizona State University

Moderator

Rod Parnell, Ph.D., Professor Earth Sci & Environ Sustainability, Northern Arizona University

Session Organizer

Katja Brundiers, Ph.D., Assistant Clinical Professor, School of Sustainability, College of Global Futures, Arizona State University

January

5

Key Competencies in Sustainability – Areas of Convergence and Next Steps (E)

A key question for employers, students, educators, and administrators is what competencies sustainability programs develop in students. We present results from research addressing this question: convergence on key competencies in sustainability and its implication for curriculum design and careers.

Thematic Pathway

E

Presenters

Christopher Boone, Ph.D., Dean and Professor, School of Sustainability, College of Global Futures, Arizona State University

Matthias Barth, Ph.D., Adjunct Faculty, School of Sustainability, College of Global Futures Arizona State University, Professor, Institute for Integrated Research, Leuphana University

Katja Brundiers, Ph.D., Assistant Clinical Professor, School of Sustainability, College of Global Futures, Arizona State University

Moderator

Rod Parnell, Ph.D., Professor Earth Sci & Environ Sustainability, Northern Arizona University

Session Organizer

Katja Brundiers, Ph.D., Assistant Clinical Professor, School of Sustainability, College of Global Futures, Arizona State University

January

7

Strengthening Sustainability Programs and Curricula in Higher Education (E)

The National Academies issued a consensus study report with recommendations to strengthen sustainability programs and curricula in higher education. Participants will learn about the recommendations and how they can be applied at their own institutions to advance sustainability education.

Thematic Pathway

E

Presenters

Anne Kapuscinski, Director of the Coastal Science and Policy Program, University of California Santa Cruz

Christopher Boone, Ph.D., Dean and Professor, School of Sustainability, Arizona State University

Garrick Louis, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Systems and Information Engineering Systems Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Engineering and Society, University of Virginia

Lida Beninson, Ph.D., Study Director, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Moderator

Erin Bromaghim, Director, Olympic and Paralympic Development and Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Fellow on the Sustainable Development Goals, City of Los Angeles

Session Organizer

Emi Kameyama, Associate Program Officer, The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

January

6

After COVID-19, What? Community Colleges from 4 U.S. Regions Respond (G)

This session will be a continuation of a recent NCSE Essay about refocusing the mission of community colleges towards Nature instead of Workforce. Data shows how students have been impacted and how COVID-19 has increased interest in climate change, which must be moved from the margin to the center of college functions.

Thematic Pathway

G

Presenters

Maria Boccalandro, Ph.D., Director of Sustainability and Programs, Dallas College-Cedar Valley Campus

Robert Franco, Ph.D., Director, Office for Institutional Effectiveness, Kapi'olani Community College, University of Hawai’i

Stephen Summers, Ph.D., Associate Vice President, Seminole State College of Florida

Nancy Lee Wood, Ph.D., Profession and Coordinator SSP, Bristol Community College

Moderator

Marianella Franklin, Chief Sustainability Officer, University of Texas in Rio Grande Valley

Session Organizer

Maria Boccalandro, Ph.D., Director of Sustainability and Programs, Dallas College-Cedar Valley Campus

January

6

Evolution of California's Scientific Response in the Wake of a Pandemic (G)

Researchers are collaborating in innovative ways to help detect, monitor, track, and eliminate the spread of COVID-19. This panel will explore topics including: What have we learned about the state-level response to the virus? Do decision makers have access to readily available science they need?

Thematic Pathway

G

Presenters

Kate Gordon, Director, California Governor's Office of Planning and Research

Christopher Cabaldon, Former Mayor, West Sacramento, CA

Susan Bonilla, CEO, California Pharmacists Association and Former CA Assemblywoman

Andy McIlroy, Ph.D.,Integrated Security Solutions Associate Labs Director, Sandia National Laboratories

Moderator

Amber Mace, Ph.D., Executive Director, California Council on Science and Technology

Session Organizer

Sarah Brady, Ph.D., Deputy Director, California Council on Science and Technology

January

6

Vision for the Future: How to Steward the American West for the Next 100 Years (H)

Aging infrastructure, persistent droughts, rampant wildfires, and declining fish populations are increasing demands on water resources in the West. This panel will provide examples of successful infrastructure modernization that demonstrate how to bring people together to solve complex challenges.

Thematic Pathway

H

Presenters

Dan Keppen, Executive Director, Family Farm Alliance

Thomas Mosier, Energy Systems Group Lead, Idaho National Laboratories

Dave Moldal, Senior Program Manager, Energy Trust of Oregon

Moderator

Julie O'Shea, Executive Director, Farmers Conservation Alliance

Session Organizer

Margi Hoffman, Strategic Operations Director, Farmers Conservation Alliance

January

6

Business Disruption, COVID-19, and Climate: Impacts of Disasters on Resilience (I)

This session highlights research across NIST and NOAA’s RISA programs exploring the complexity of climate resilience for small and medium enterprises in the COVID-19 context. We will discuss the importance of longitudinal research that takes into account regional and social differences and the challenges of research in shifting conditions.

Thematic Pathway

I

Presenters

Tamara Wall, Ph.D., Deputy Director, Western Regional Climate Center, Desert Research Institute

Eleanor Davis, Doctoral Candidate, University of South Carolina

Michelle Meyer, Ph.D., Director of the Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center, Texas A & M

Jennifer Helgeson, Ph.D., Economist, National Institute of Standard and Technology

Claudia Nierenberg, Division Chief, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Kristin Vandermolen, Ph.D, Assistant Research Professor, Desert Research Institute

Moderator

Ariela Zycherman, Ph.D., Social Scientist/ Program Manager, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Session Organizer

Ariela Zycherman, Ph.D., Social Scientist/ Program Manager, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

January

6

Research and Practice Connecting Hazard Mitigation and Adaptation Planning (I)

Communities conducting hazard mitigation addressing climate risks have issues accessing clear information and tools. We will explore ways that Federal agencies are co-developing resources to address this issue, reduce hazard risk, and share examples of how information produced advance local action.

Thematic Pathway

I

Presenters

Rebecca Lunde, Ph.D., West Coast Regional Coordinator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Shubha Shrivastava, MUP, Mitigation Planner, Federal Emergency Management Agency

Justin Kates, Director of Emergency Management, The City of Nashua, New Hampshire

Christopher Clavin, M.S., Research Environmental Engineer, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Juliette Finzi Hart, Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program (ICARP) Program Manager, CA Governor’s Office of Planning and Research

Moderator

Reid Sherman, Ph.D., Climate Adaptation Lead, U.S. Global Change Research Program

Session Organizer

Christopher Clavin, M.S., Research Environmental Engineer, Community Resilience Program, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

January

6

COVID-19 in Indian Country: Challenges and Innovations (I)

This session will illustrate the concurrent impacts of COVID-19 and climate change on Native and Indigenous communities and highlight resilience resulting from weaving native wisdom and western science to produce a shared understanding of the integral relationships of humans, climate and nature.

Thematic Pathway

I

Presenters

James Rattling Leaf, Ph.D., Climate Partnership Coordinator, Great Plains Tribal Water Alliance, North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center

Kyle Bocinsky, Ph.D., Director, Research Institute, Crow Canyon Archaeological Center

Vicki Hebb, Extension Agent, Cooperative Extension, University of Nevada, Reno

Moderator

Maureen McCarthy, Ph.D., Research Professor, Desert Research Institute

Session Organizer

Maureen McCarthy, Ph.D., Research Professor, Desert Research Institute

January

7

The Costs and Losses of Wildfires – Investment Solutions vs. Reactive Management (I)

Intensifying wildfire seasons pose a growing strain on resources and the well-being of Californians. The panel will discuss our recent report on what we know and what we must learn to make informed decisions about the balance of investment solutions and reactive management of wildfire in California.

Thematic Pathway

I

Presenters

Genevieve Biggs, Ph.D., Special Projects Officer, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation

Teresa Feo, Ph.D., Senior Science Officer, California Council on Science and Technology

Samuel Evans, Ph.D., Professor, Mills College

Moderator

Brie Lindsey, Ph.D., Director of Science Services, California Council on Science and Technology

Session Organizer

Brie Lindsey, Ph.D., Deputy Director, California Council on Science and Technology

January

7

Advancing Urban Heat Resilience (I)

This session will explore the current state and innovations in planning, design, and governance for urban heat, including a survey of U.S. planners and review of municipal plans. Attendees will gain insight into challenges and opportunities in research and practice to advance urban heat resilience.

Thematic Pathway

I

Presenters

Ladd Keith, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Planning and Sustainable Built Environments, University of Arizona

V. Kelly Turner, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Urban Planning, University of California, Los Angeles

Sara Meerow, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, Arizona State University

Moderator

Hunter Jones, Master of Env. Management, Climate and Health Project Manager, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

Session Organizer

Ladd Keith, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Planning and Sustainable Built Environments, University of Arizona

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