Science, Society, and Sustainability—Closing the Knowledge-Action Gap

From the remote expanses of the Arctic to the bustling cities of the global south, the imperative to safeguard our environment and foster sustainable development resonates deeply. Scientific innovations in sustainability offer transformative solutions to pressing challenges. Across diverse fields—from renewable energy to climate resilience, from biodiversity conservation to equitable access to resources—innovators and thought leaders are pioneering responses that align with the SDGs.
From educating the next generation to producing relevant research, and sharing their knowledge with society, higher education institutions on both sides of the Atlantic—alongside communities and businesses—have a global responsibility and an enormous impact on the actions of their citizens.
Join us for a panel discussion with the new Rector of the University of Cologne and DAAD President Professor Joybrato Mukherjee, Prof. Michael Gerrard from Columbia University, and other panelists to:
learn about the local, national, and global opportunities and challenges stakeholders face when working toward affordable and clean energy as well as broader climate action goals focus on German and US approaches to close the gap between knowledge and action discuss how we can overcome societal impatience for climate progress with the help of transformative innovation exchange new ideas for pathways to a sustainable future network with stakeholders from universities, businesses, and communities from Germany and the United States.

The event is hosted by the University of Cologne New York Office, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) New York, the German Center for Research and Innovation (DWIH) New York, the German Research Foundation (DFG) North America, American Friends of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the German Embassy, Washington DC, and 1014. It is part of the NRW-USA Year 2023-2024.