UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The 2026 Penn State Climate Solutions Symposium is approaching, with registration and poster submissions open through May 1 for a three-day event focused on evidence-based climate solutions, collaboration and networking.
The symposium will be held May 18–20 at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College. Hosted by the Penn State Climate Consortium, the event will bring together researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, students and community partners to examine the impacts of climate change on communities and ecosystems in Pennsylvania and beyond, while exploring practical strategies to strengthen resilience.
The program will feature keynote and plenary sessions with experts in climate science, policy and practice, along with interactive breakout sessions covering topics such as public health, infrastructure, agriculture, artificial intelligence, water resources, biodiversity and community planning. Attendees can also participate in field trips to nearby communities, a “Next Level Networking” session designed to spark new collaborations, and an evening reception at the Palmer Museum of Art.
Registration includes access to all sessions, the poster session, networking reception, conference meals and refreshments, and optional field trips, though space for field trips is limited.
The symposium is also accepting submissions for its in-person poster session, scheduled for May 18. Undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, faculty, staff, extension educators and other participants are invited to present climate-related research, projects and initiatives. Submissions are open to all disciplines. The deadline to register a poster is 5 p.m. May 1, and space is limited. Previously presented posters are eligible, and all presenters must also register as symposium attendees.
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jessica Shirley will deliver the keynote address on May 20, outlining priorities for building a more resilient commonwealth. Shirley brings more than a decade of leadership and policy experience at the agency, where she previously served as executive deputy secretary and as the first infrastructure implementation coordinator. In that role, she oversaw federal investments from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, with a focus on supporting historically underinvested communities.
Plenary and panel sessions throughout the symposium will focus on two urgent challenges: climate extremes and the growing role of artificial intelligence in shaping the climate future. The event will also mark the launch of Prepare PA, a new statewide climate resilience network.
The opening plenary on May 18 will introduce Prepare PA, with Jacqueline O’Connor, professor of engineering and interim director of the Penn State Climate Consortium, discussing how climate change is already affecting Pennsylvania and how partners across the Commonwealth are building capacity to respond.
Additional sessions will examine the role of artificial intelligence as critical infrastructure, including its energy use and carbon impacts, as well as strategies for addressing increasing precipitation extremes, such as droughts and flooding, across Pennsylvania.
With the May 1 deadline approaching, prospective attendees are encouraged to register and submit posters to take part in the statewide and global conversation on climate solutions.