Call for Climate Week NYC Event Proposals

Do you have a research finding to announce? A workshop to offer? A performance to share? A panel of experts ready to discuss a scalable solution to a climate-related challenge?

Yale Planetary Solutions (YPS) in collaboration with the Whitney and Betty MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies invite Yale faculty and staff to propose activities for Yale at Climate Week NYC 2024. Events will be hosted in conjunction with Climate Week NYC, September 24-27, 2024, at the Yale Club in midtown Manhattan.

Proposals for panels, workshops, poster sessions, performances, and keynotes will be considered. Applications are due on April 1. Selected applications will receive space and logistical support.  Students and alumni wishing to submit proposals should identify a faculty or staff member to sponsor their idea.

This program capitalizes on the “largest annual climate event of its kind,” offering an opportunity for Yale faculty and staff to highlight findings, share actionable solutions, and identify potential partnerships within the global climate community.

Submit a proposal.

Questions? Contact planetary.solutions@yale.edu.

Background

Together, YPS and the MacMillan Center are committed to bringing an innovative, cohesive Yale presence to Climate Week NYC—a three-day program of climate action events hosted by Climate Group and the United Nations General Assembly. Climate Week NYC convenes international thinkers and actors, providing a venue for Yale faculty and staff to share their knowledge and solutions on a global stage.

Faculty and staff in the Yale community are encouraged to propose and lead activities focused on transformation – in actions, in framing, in stakeholder engagement, in research, in policy, in finance, in science and technology, and more – with the potential for tangible outcomes and positive impacts. Activities that help to inform critical knowledge gaps in the climate conversation are particularly of interest.

Logistics

YPS and the MacMillan Center have secured space at the Yale Club in New York City from September 24-27, 2024.  Proposals for panels, workshops, poster sessions, performances, and keynotes are invited to fill the days and evenings.  Up to 15 proposals will be selected using the criteria below. Space at the venue, as well as advertising, logistical, and communication support, will be provided for all events.

Those proposing an event will be required to manage and implement their session, including recruiting speakers, coordinating their attendance, etc. Those selected will also be expected to lead outreach for their individual event using their networks and channels in addition to the communications support provided for the full program as a collection.  Additional limited financial and staff support can be considered on a case-by-case basis.  The use of local speakers, or those already planning to be in New York, is encouraged to avoid additional travel (and subsequent carbon emissions).

Proposal Guidelines

We anticipate panels, workshops, poster sessions, performances, and keynotes.  Submissions should be as brief as possible but complete. Please include the following information:

·      Tentative event title

·      Primary organizer name and school or department (this person will be the point of contact for event updates)

·      Names and schools or departments of additional organizers (optional)

·      Event summary including proposed presenters and alternates

·      Event format

·      Target audience(s)

·      Anticipated audience size

·      Preferred timeslot  

·      Description of how this event offers new solutions to spur climate action.

·      Why is Climate Week NYC an important place for this event?

·      Why is this the moment for your event?  (i.e. a new report with notable findings, the launch of a new initiative, an announcement by a globally known leader, the unveiling of a new discovery or innovation, presentation of new poll results, calls for noteworthy and distinct policy initiatives)

·      What are your anticipated outputs? (i.e. new connections with policymakers, research collaborations, projects, white papers, etc.)

Evaluation Criteria

Our aim is to ensure that Yale’s participation in Climate Week NYC is fully reflective of Yale’s unique strengths and the knowledge gaps we can inform. Accordingly, proposals will be evaluated on the following elements:

·      Focus on missing elements in the climate conversation.

·      Connection to unique opportunities presented by Climate Week and our location at the Yale Club.

·      Action-oriented next steps and tangible anticipated outcomes (i.e. new centers or collaborations) or new knowledge contributions (new research efforts, white papers, academic inquiry, etc.).

·      Inclusivity – our goal is to strike a balance between social sciences, humanities, STEM, and health disciplines, with attention paid to interdisciplinary approaches – and to balance the variety of perspectives and voices representing Yale at Climate Week NYC. 

Submission

Please submit your proposal on or before April 1. Late proposals will not be accepted.

Proposals selected for Yale at Climate Week NYC 2024 will be announced on or before April 12. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I’m not a Yale facultly or staff member?

Please identify a faculty or staff member who you can collaborate with on your event.  The faculty or staff member needs to be willing to serve as the point person for the event and submit the application.

Why are events only being hosted September 24-27?

Climate Week NYC will feature a series of events organized by their group Sunday and Monday.  Our focus on Tuesday through Friday will help to avoid direct overlap.