Computer Science PhD candidate Saumya Sinha presents a poster at the Research and Innovation for Climate Change Open House on Nov. 30 at CU Boulder.Researchers from across CU Boulder gathered in the Rustandy Building on Nov. 30 to showcase their work ahead of the Right Here, Right Now United Nations Climate Summit.
Jointly hosted by the College of Engineering and Applied Science, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Leeds School of Business, the Research and Innovation for Climate Change Open House hosted 22 unique displays with over 130 people. Projects touched a variety of fields and disciplines – from economics and remote sensing to social justice and sustainable building practices.
College of Engineering and Applied Science Dean Keith Molenaar said the event showcased much of the impactful work going on in this area across campus.
“It proved to be a valuable opportunity for students, faculty, and staff – no matter their home college or school – to discuss these topics and make connections,” he said. “We plan to host many more events in the future around this kind of interdisciplinary work as we strive to provide transformational societal impact from both our education and research efforts.”
Shideh Dashti, the acting associate dean for research in the college of engineering, said that stakeholders from industry partners like Deloitte and regional collaborators like Sandia National Laboratory attended the open house as well.
“That kind of open and engaging environment where ideas are being freely shared among different parties is a very powerful ingredient to understanding and solving huge issues like climate change,” she said.
The open house served as a kickoff to the U.N. summit, which convened global experts from over 50 countries on campus to discuss the relationship between climate change and human rights on a global scale. Guest speakers included Mary Robinson, Sheila Watt-Cloutier and Kumi Naidoo, and sessions explored how each area of civil society can work together to act on climate solutions.