Technical Lecture: Quantifying the role of external drivers of climate change in extreme weather events
Myles Allen, visiting Professor in Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics, Department of Physics, at the University of Oxford, plans to give the following lecture:
We have been studying how external drivers of climate change affect
extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, floods or wildfires, for over 20
years (https://www.nature.com/articles/421891a) but this remains
particularly challenging for rare and/or localised events — which also tend
to be the ones that do the most damage. While we can seldom, if ever,
assert “this event could not have happened without climate change” this
does not mean there is nothing to be said. Conclusions must instead be
based on changing probabilities.
We explore a novel probabilistic approach to the event attribution problem,
perturbing initial and boundary conditions of an operational ensemble
forecast (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-48280-7). This
starts from a forecasting system whose reliability is well documented, so
we avoid using models to make stat…
Thursday, October 8, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
L. S. Skaggs Applied Science Building, Suite W1204
275 S. University Street, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112.
Public Reception and Lecture with Oxford Climate Scientist, Myles Allen: Can We Fix Fossil Fuels?
Solutions to climate change often focus on phasing out fossil fuels, replacing them with non-fossil alternatives, or even discouraging the activities that use them altogether. But this leaves out an important part of the story: in many pathways that limit global warming to well below 2°C (roughly 4°F) above pre-industrial levels, we continue to use oil and gas for decades. What changes is that instead of releasing the carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, we dispose of it permanently. There are many reasons to reduce our reliance on oil and gas, not least cost and security. But we also need to address what we will still use: we need to stop fossil fuels from causing global warming before the world stops using fossil fuels.
Thursday, October 8, 2026, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM.
L. S. Skaggs Applied Science Building, Room W1222
275 S. University Street, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112.
For more info visit wilkescenter.utah.edu. Student Innovation Prize (Accepting Submissions)
Information to be posted soon.
Monday, October 12, 2026 – Friday, February 19, 2027.
Website to be updated soon.
Wilkes Scholars Program - SPRING 2027 DEADLINE
The Wilkes Scholars Program (WSP) enables outstanding undergraduate students to explore pressing climate challenges facing our state, region, and planet through transformative research. Wilkes Scholars will work with a mentor to advance research related to the mission of the Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy — catalyzing innovative science and solutions to address climate change.
Friday, October 30, 2026.
https://wilkescenter.utah.edu/funding-opportunities/wilkes-scholars/.
For more info visit wilkescenter.utah.edu. Kevin Reed Atmos Seminar: "Changing extremes in a changing world"
ABSTRACT:
The coming decades will see unprecedented changes to the Earth system with direct consequences for society. Changes in the characteristics of extreme weather are key indicators of future change, at both local and regional scales. The goal of this research is to advance our understanding of potential changes in the location, intensity and structure of such extremes (e.g. hurricanes) which is crucial in planning for future adaptation as these events have large economic and social costs.
BIO:
Dr. Kevin Reed is the Chief Climate Scientist at the New York Climate Exchange, leading the strategic direction and co-development of research programs with a diverse set of academic, industry, and community partners. The New York Climate Exchange is a new non-profit focused on open exchange and collaboration that empowers sustainable solutions to climate change for New York City and the world. Dr. Reed has also served as the Associate Provost for Climate and Sustainability Programming at Stony Brook University…
Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM.
L. S. Skaggs Applied Science Building, Suite W1204
275 S. University Street, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112.
Kevin Reed Public Lecture: "Advancing climate solutions through discovery and partnership"
Abstract:
Addressing the complex challenges associated with climate change requires strong partnerships among universities, industry, government, and communities to better understand local climate impacts and co-develop solutions that are practical and responsive to regional needs. Universities play a critical role in advancing discovery, fostering innovation, and serving the communities and regions they represent through research, education, and collaboration. This presentation highlights how research universities can convene diverse partners to accelerate climate solutions and translate scientific discovery into meaningful regional impact. Drawing on the experiences of the New York Climate Exchange, it illustrates how cross-sector collaboration can advance research, inform decision-making, and help build more resilient and sustainable communities
BIO:
Dr. Kevin Reed is the Chief Climate Scientist at the New York Climate Exchange, leading the strategic direction and co-development of research programs with…
Thursday, November 12, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM.
L. S. Skaggs Applied Science Building, Suite W1204
275 S. University Street, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112.
Graduate JD Fellowship applications due
The Wilkes JD Fellowship is a new initiative in partnership with the S.J. Quinney College of Law’s Wallace Stegner Center for Land, Resources and the Environment supporting law students at the University of Utah who are committed to addressing climate, energy, and environmental challenges through legal and policy scholarship and work.
Friday, November 13, 2026.
https://wilkescenter.utah.edu/funding-opportunities/jd-fellowship/.
For more info visit wilkescenter.utah.edu. Graduate Dissertation Fellowship (Application Portal Open)
The Wilkes Dissertation Fellowship supports the dissertation writing phase for Ph.D. candidates whose dissertation projects focus around the broad themes of climate science and climate policy.
Applicants can apply for 1 or 2 semesters of support to complete a research-based dissertation-required Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. Funds are intended to support the final semesters of writing and defense of the dissertation. This award is non-renewable.
Wilkes Dissertation Fellowships are open to applicants from any Ph.D. program as long as the focus of the dissertation project is in the area of climate science or climate policy.
Sunday, November 15, 2026 – Friday, January 15, 2027.
https://wilkescenter.utah.edu/funding-opportunities/dissertation-fellowship/.
For more info visit wilkescenter.utah.edu. Postdoctoral Fellowship (Application Portal Open)
This postdoctoral scholar program will help create the next generation of leaders in climate science and policy. It endeavors to attract spectacular recent PhDs in sciences that address studies with relevance to the Wilkes Center climate research and climate policy goals.
Postdoctoral scholars will perform cutting-edge and impactful research in climate science and/or policy , with particular priority areas on data informed climate forecasting, wildfire and climate extremes such as heat waves, droughts, and floods, climate impacts on local communities, economies, ecosystems, and human health, and the development of tools to mitigate, adapt, and manage climate impacts. These can include analysis of past, current, or possible future climate variability and change as well as the study of the underlying social, physical, chemical, and biological processes.
Tuesday, December 1, 2026 – Monday, February 15, 2027.
https://wilkescenter.utah.edu/funding-opportunities/wilkes-center-postdoctoral-program/.
For more info visit wilkescenter.utah.edu.