Major Convenings

The Institute on the Environment’s major convenings bring together everyone from students and researchers to community members and longtime partners. Each event reflects a conviction: that tackling the environmental challenges we face requires more people in the room, not fewer.

Our Flagship Event: IonE Annual Meeting

Three IonE community members stand together smiling and holding a sign that reads “Annual Meeting."

Bringing together the IonE community. Connecting through shared purpose.

Every fall, the IonE Annual Meeting opens a new academic year by bringing the full IonE community together. Faculty, students, staff, project partners, advisors and friends of the Institute gather for a day of inspiration and connection.

During the IonE Annual Meeting, community members have the opportunity to share what they’ve been working on, hear where the Institute is headed – and experience what becomes possible when this many people with shared purpose come together in one space.

Learn About Our Annual Meeting

Student Led, Open to All

These student-led events are open to everyone – community members, alongside students, faculty and staff. They reflect IonE's belief that the best conversations and interactions happen when the University opens its doors.

Sustainability Symposium

Created in 2011, the Sustainability Symposium works to expand the concept of what sustainability looks like and who gets to be a part of it. This conference gives students the opportunity to share sustainability-related work, build communication skills and connect across campuses and fields. Members of the public are welcome to attend this annual showcase of emerging sustainability leaders – from undergraduates to Ph.D. candidates.

Environmental Justice Summit

The Environmental Justice Summit builds connections between University students and the Twin Cities community. These working relationships are centered around topical, time-sensitive climate and environmental justice initiatives. Students participating in IonE’s Undergraduate Leaders program organize the annual summit in partnership with communities and local organizations. The event is open to students, community members, organizations and partners.

A SciComm Community

Science communication is a thread that runs through everything IonE does. Speaking Science is where that commitment becomes a shared practice.

Speaking Science

Each spring, Speaking Science brings together faculty, staff and graduate students from across the University to strengthen their science communication skills and build connections with peers who share a commitment to public engagement. Co-founded by IonE in 2018, the full-day conference features rapid-fire presentations, topical breakout sessions, a networking reception and more.