Sustainability Research Summit

October 8–9, 2026 • University Memorial Center

The Sustainability Research Summit is a two-day event designed to connect ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ researchers and expand their collaborations, as well as reach external parties who are interested in partnering with the university, investing in ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ start-ups, or drawing upon our research expertise.Ìý

Call for Session ProposalsÌý

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ÌýÌýImportant DatesÌý

  • Submission Window: August 3–17, 2026
  • Decisions Announced: August 25, 2026
  • Program Published: September 1, 2026Ìý
  • Summit Dates: October 8–9, 2026Ìý

The Sustainability Research Initiative at the University of Colorado Boulder is organizing this inaugural summit to support broader efforts to build a more connected and interdisciplinary sustainability research community. For two days, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ will bring together the full breadth of its sustainability expertise from every corner of campus, elevating new opportunities for transdisciplinary collaborations that break down traditional academic silos. By providing a dedicated space to build a shared vocabulary and collaborative potential for sustainability research, the summit aspires to increase our campus’ visibility and impact.Ìý

Beyond connecting researchers across campus, the summit will facilitate direct engagement with industry, NGOs, and community partners who are interested in leveraging CU research capabilities and expertise for practical, real-world applications with high impact as well as fundamental science. The Sustainability Research Summit aims to go beyond sharing information; the goal is to build a foundation for an interconnected ecosystem of sustainability visioning, expansive modes of research, and a multiplicity of action necessary to tackle our most pressing challenges.

Call for Session ProposalsÌý

Session proposals will be accepted August 3–17, 2026.Ìý

We invite proposals for 75–90 minute sessions across a variety of formats, including interactive workshops, panels, traditional presentations, lightning talks, frontier discussions and informal meetups. Submissions should bring together a mix of faculty, researchers and students.Ìý

We invite proposals for thematic sessions, interactive workshops, and social events aligned with the following summit themes:

  • How we build things (design, construct, monitor, maintain, or adapt infrastructure)
  • How we grow and power things
  • How we build community
  • How we can think more creatively and expansively
  • How we keep people safe and healthy
  • How we anticipate and overcome sociopolitical obstacles to sustainability
  • How we provide decision support systems

We prioritize sessions that deliver clear takeaways and tools for collaboration, bridge disciplines across campus and with external partners, elevate emerging research, and will use formats that engage participants beyond that of a traditional research talk.Ìý

To maximize collaborative energy and reduce prep work, we highly encourage speakers to update and adapt existing research presentations or posters rather than creating new ones from scratch. The primary goal is to familiarize your CU colleagues and external partners with your ongoing work.

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Proposal Submission Checklist
Please have the following materials ready before starting your application:

ÌýÌýÌýSession Title & DescriptionÌý
Your session name and a brief overview (maximum 250 words).

ÌýÌýTheme & Format
The summit theme(s) your session aligns with and your preferred presentation style (e.g., Traditional Talk, Panel, Workshop, Lightning Talk, Poster, or Hybrid).

ÌýÌýDuration & Timeline
Your preferred session length (standard is 75–90 minutes) and a brief structural agenda detailing how the time will be used.

ÌýÌýProposed Speakers
A list of all facilitators, speakers, or panelists.

ÌýÌýRoom & Tech Needs
Any specific physical layouts, special materials, or technical/A-V capabilities required.

ÌýÌýScheduling ConstraintsÌý
Any scheduling preferences or conflicts we should consider.
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Questions?Ìý

Contact zelikova@colorado.edu.Ìý

Research and expertise across CUÌýBoulder.

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Our 12Ìýresearch institutes conduct more than half of
the sponsored research at CUÌýBoulder.

More than 75 research centers span the campus,
covering a broad range of topics.

ÌýÌýResearch ComputingÌý

A carefully integrated cyberinfrastructure supports CUÌýBoulder research.

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