Seminar Series Fall 2023

NRT Students: choose two seminars from the list below. More seminars will be added throughout the semester.

Click here for the rubric & reflection document to fill out during the seminar and bring to our next cohort meeting.

Date Time (CST)TitleDescriptionPresenterLocationNotes
Tues. Sept. 121:25 - 2:30pmPriorities for Creating a Perovskite Paved Pathway to Multi-Terawatt scale PhotovoltaicsThis talk will consider the future of metal halide perovskite (MHP) photovoltaic (PV) technologies and priorities for research and development activities in the context of terawatt scale goals.Dr. Joseph BerryB75 Amundson HallHosted by the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Thurs.-Fri. Sept. 14-1510am-2pm both daysThe Research Presentation as StorytellingFrame a research presentation as storytellingJosef WoldenseAnderson Hall Room 210Registration required
Thurs. Sept. 212:00 - 4:00pmEmpowered Women in EnergyKeynote address from Minnesota State Representative Patty Acomb, Chair of the House Climate and Energy Finance and Policy Committee, this gathering will feature two panel discussions highlighting women working in policy and as practitioners in the field of energy and the environment.Minnesota State Representative Patty AcombHennepin Theater Trust

Register here, hosted by Center for Energy and the Environment

Fri. Sept. 2210:10 - 11:00amThree Minute Thesis CompetitionHear a variety of graduate students pitch their research in 3 minutes.Engineering Graduate StudentsCEGE building, room 210Hosted by the CEGE Department
Fri. Sept. 223:30 - 4:30pmMultidimensional Risk Management for the Water SectorApply concepts of deep uncertainty to example challenges. Learn how to improve decision confidence built on cost-effectiveness, sustainability, equity, and resilience through the critical tool of trade-off analysis.Dr. Patrick RayCEGE building, room 210Click here to Register by: Sept. 15, 2023
Tues. Sept. 264:00-5:00pmDeconstructing our Clothes: Climate and Human Rights Impacts in the Fashion IndustryPanel Discussion follows an all day Sewing Activation session from 10-4pm (details on title link)Rachel Breen3M Auditorium, Carlson School of ManagementHosted by Center for Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy
Wed. Sept. 273:30-5:00pmPushing the Limits of Thermal Transport to Address Electronics, Energy and Climate Challenges Xiulin Ruan, Purdue UniversityMechanical Engineering Room 1130 
Thurs. Sept. 284:00-5:00pmThe Activist HumanistThe Cornell professor discusses new book on "form and method in the climate crisis"Caroline LevineOnlineRegister for this Zoom webinar
Thurs. Sept. 284:00-5:00pmIndigenous Approaches to Science and Innovative Technologies to Protect Tribal Water SourcesClick the title link to read the abstract.Dr. Ranalda TsosieTate Hall B20 or ZoomHosted by the Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences
Tues. Oct. 32:00-3:00pmMerging western science and traditional knowledge of produce safety within Arizona's Tribal lands Dr. Valerisa Joe-GaddyVirtual on ZoomHosted by the Native Voices in STEM series at the University of Arizona
Mon. Oct. 912:00-1:00pmMississippi Watershed Management Organization: Water Policy & ProgrammingLearn about current and upcoming projects, and how the MWMO interacts with policy.Kevin Reich, Director of MWMOJosie Johnson Room 180, Humphrey School of Public AffairsRegister here. Hosted by UMN's Center for Science, Technology, & Environmental Policy
Tues. Oct. 101:00-2:30pmEvaluating Options for Wastewater Treatment at Rest Areas and Truck StationsMnDOT is responsible for 52 rest areas in the state. Learn about UMN research studying treatment and impacts of wastewater from these sites.Sara Heger and Neile ReiderOnline Zoom Webinar, click to registerHosted by the Center for Transportation Studies

Attend 1 seminar before October 25 when we meet as a cohort to debrief.
 

Wed. Oct 182:30-3:30pmMoving toward a sustainable and circular food and agriculture system Dr. Norman Scott, Cornell UniversityRuttan Hall B25Hosted by BBE, no registration required
Thurs. Oct 264:30-5:30pmThe Science of Storytelling: Conservation media and connecting people to the wildHear a photographer's perspective on communicating science via photography and film.Alex FreezeClick for Livestream LinkHosted by Virginia Tech's Center for Communicating Science
Wed. Nov. 17:00pmBiomimicry as a strategy for sustainable, resilient, and regenerative solutionsBenyus is the co-founder of Biomimicry 3.8, the world’s leading firm promoting nature-inspired innovation and education.Janine BenyusMcNamara Alumni CenterHosted by the College of Design, Free Registration required
Fri. Nov. 310:00am- 12:00pmLeading Across Sectors and Professions for Collective ImpactUse integrative leadership as a strategy for addresing large-scale societal challenges.David Weerts and Samantha SikerOnlineClick here to Register
Wed. Nov. 86:30-7:30pm (doors open at 6pm)Inventing Tomorrow: Sustainability, Innovation, and the Future of FoodConversation between climate entrepreneur Nick Halla, former senior vice president at Impossible Foods and UMN Chemistry Professor Christy Haynes.Nick Halla (ChemE '05) and Christy Haynes (chemistry department head and Distinguished McKnight University Professor)Northrop Auditorium, Best Buy Theater, 84 Church Street SE or option to attend virtually.Free, registration required
Sat. Nov. 112:00-3:00pmSeeing Salt: Art Display and Panel DiscussionVisit an art display depicting salt pollution and hear a panel discussionAnnie Irene HejnyCasket Arts Building, Studio #213 681 17th Ave. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413Free
Mon. Nov. 1311:30am - 12:30pmGeopolitics of the Energy TransitionGeopolitics of the energy transition and governance of sustainability.Prof. Daniel ScholtenJosie Johnson Room 180, Humphrey SchoolHosted by Center for Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy. Free, register here, light lunch provided.
Mon. Nov. 1312:00-1:30pmPublic Scholarship as Storytelling: A WorkshopWhat is public scholarship? Why is it important, and what does it do? How do I write about my work for non-specialists?Open Rivers: Rethinking Water, Place, & Community is an open-access journal of public scholarship.Virtual on ZoomFree, Registration Required. Hosted by Open Rivers
Wed. Nov 156:00-8:30pmFantastic Plastic You: The Impact of Plastic on Living ThingsPanel discussion on the ubiquity of plastics in the environment and ourselves.UMN Faculty: Emilie Snell-Rood, Matt Simcik, Boya XiongUrban Growler Brewing Co.Click here to register (free for UMN students)
Mon. Nov. 274:00-5:00pmMonitoring to Protect High Quality Waters and Advance Tribal SovereigntyHear about the tribe's investment in water resource protection efforts.Nancy Schuldt, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior ChippewaZoom (held on Duluth Campus)No registration, Join Zoom Here Hosted by UMN Water Resources Science
Wed. Nov. 2912:00-1:00pmCleantech Catalysts from Ambition to ActionLearn about clean technology efforts in MN followed by a networking event.Bill Weber, Mark Sanders, Whitney Terrill, and Nina AxelsonR380 – Learning and Environmental Sciences1954 Buford AvenueRegister here, Hosted by the Institute on the Environment
Wed. Nov. 293:30-5:00pmElectrification of Airplanes: The challenge of heavy energy storage devices Mohammad Naraghi, Texas A&MMechanical Engineering Room 1130 
Wed. Nov. 296:00-7:30pmArtist Talk: "Perspectives on Water"Ceramic Artist Courtney Leonard's work examines histories of water and industrial impacts on it.Courtney M. Leonard and Dr. Kate BeaneWeisman Art MuseumRegister here, free or donation-based tickets
Fri. Dec. 11:00-1:50pmInterdisciplinary Art and Science Collaborations in an Ecological  Art Practice Hear examples of merging environmental and interdisciplinary art in collaboration with engineers and scientists.Christine Baeumler, UMN ArtCivil Engineering Room 210Hosted by Environmental Engineering