MITEI hosted more than 300 speakers on campus, presented 26 webinars, and hosted 10 seminars, all in an effort to inform public policy, foster dialogue within the academic research community, and provide the public with context on vital issues. Convening events throughout the year, MITEI hosts thought leaders from across the energy value chain. MITEI staff, faculty affiliates, and graduate students share their research and perspectives at domestic and international events. Staff members also participate in Institute-wide efforts on addressing climate change. MITEI’s communications team highlights the research and achievements of faculty and students through articles, media outreach, social media, podcasts, and other digital and print platforms.
At MITEI’s Earth Day Colloquium, World Resources Institute President and CEO Ani Dasgupta stressed that systemic change is needed to bring carbon emissions in line with long-term climate goals. “It’s not one thing that needs to change,” he said. “The whole system needs to change.” Photo: Kelley Travers
Outreach program highlights
- Guest speakers: Leaders in policy, academia, and industry gave talks at MITEI-hosted events. Speakers included Yuri Sebregts, executive vice president of technology and chief technology officer at Shell; Praveer Sinha, CEO and managing director at the Tata Power Company Limited; Jeremiah Johnson, associate professor at North Carolina State University; Julie McNamara MS ’14, deputy policy director of climate & energy at the Union of Concerned Scientists; and more.
- Spring Symposium: In May 2024, MITEI held its Spring Symposium bringing together researchers, industry leaders, and academic experts to address the potential of geologic hydrogen as an energy source for the future. Speakers included Mary Haas, venture partner at Breakthrough Energy Ventures; Dirk Smit, independent consultant and scientist; and Avon McIntyre, executive director of HyTerra, Ltd.
- Earth Day Colloquium: As part of MIT’s celebration of Earth Week, MITEI hosted World Resources Institute President and CEO Ani Dasgupta to discuss how a just energy transition in key countries can lead to a global tipping point for a more resilient, equitable world.
- Annual Research Conference 2023: The event brought together energy researchers, policy makers, and industry members to explore policies and technologies that are shaping today’s energy system and its future. This year’s conference highlighted strategies for implementing large-scale reductions in the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Students from the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program participated in a slam, presenting their research to MITEI Members and conference attendees. Three of the conference sessions were open to the MIT community. These sessions discussed how large established companies will lead the massive energy transformation and generational perspectives on the energy transition, as well as a keynote on enabling commercial liftoff for clean energy technologies presented by Jonah Wagner, chief strategist in the Loan Programs Office at the U.S. Department of Energy.
- C3E 2023 Women in Clean Energy Symposium: In September 2023, the twelfth annual Clean Energy, Education, and Empowerment (C3E) Women in Clean Energy Symposium and Awards was hosted by MITEI in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Texas A&M Energy Institute, and Stanford Energy. The conference featured award presentations, as well as diverse speakers—including the former White House national climate advisor and Environmental Protection Agency administrator Gina McCarthy, Janelle Knox-Hayes (Urban Studies and Planning), Amy Glasmeier (Urban Studies and Planning), and Elsa Olivetti (Materials Science and Engineering)—and rich conversations on pursuing sustainable clean energy goals. The U.S. C3E Initiative advances clean energy by closing the gender gap and increasing the participation, leadership, and success of women in clean energy fields.
- Energy Futures magazine: After 32 editions, MITEI published its final issue of Energy Futuresmagazine in Winter 2024 and pivoted to a digital-first editorial strategy. Since 2008, this magazine was published twice a year, featuring energy research and other energy activities at MIT. This work will continue on MITEI’s website on an ongoing basis.
- Audio articles: MITEI produced and released a series of audio articles on the future of energy at MIT. Topics include new startups, novel energy research, event coverage, and alumni profiles.
