Events for July 23, 2026

IEEE Chicago proudly presents a Panel Discussion on Engineering the Climate Transition: Innovation & Resilience in the Midwest hosted by the IEEE Chicago Climate Sustainability Local Group, in conjunction with Chicago Climate Week https://www.chicagoclimateweek.org/ where climate events in the Chicago area will be held the week of July 15 to 23. Join IEEE Chicago Section as part of Chicago Climate Week for a virtual panel discussion on engineering's role in the climate transition. Industry experts will explore innovation and resilience strategies shaping the Midwest's response to climate change, followed by an open audience Q&A. The session will feature opening remarks, a moderated panel discussion with guest speakers, and a dedicated Q&A segment where attendees can engage directly with the panelists. Our panelists include: Peiyuan Li, Senior Research Associate, Climate Research Team, Discovery Partners Institute Sajith Wijesuriya, Vice Chair, Climate, Sustainability, and Innovation, IEEE Young Professionals Program John Walz, Treasurer, IEEE Technology for a Sustainable Climate The panel will be moderated by: Narendra Venkatesan, Chair, IEEE Chicago Climate Sustainability Local Group Alvin Chin, Vice-Chair, IEEE Chicago Climate Sustainability Local Group Please see the Zoom link below to join the panel virtually and flyer below. [] Speaker(s): Peiyuan Li, Sajith Wijesuriya, John Walz, Narendra Venkatesan, Alvin Chin Agenda: Time Duration Segment 18:00–18:05 5 min Welcome & Opening Remarks 18:05–18:10 5 min Moderator Intro 18:10–18:45 35 min Moderated Panel Discussion 18:45–18:55 10 min Audience Q&A 18:55–19:00 5 min Closing & Calls to Action Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/567656

[]Inspired by the recent Netflix series: "3 Body Problem", we present a series of 3 documentary sessions featuring the Chinese science fiction writer Liu Cixin. The series is titled "Rendezvous with the Future" in which he shares thoughts on 3 topics: - First Contact : "Contact with an alien civilization has many possibilities. It might have a good outcome. Equally it might have terrible consequences. Any child knows not to open the door to strangers. They know not to greet strangers casually. This is a matter of common sense." — Liu Cixin - Voyage to the Stars: "I think if humans want to survive, our only choice is to expand our living space in the universe. Like H.G. Wells once said: Human beings will either fill the universe or perish completely. There is no other choice." — Liu Cixin - Becoming a SuperCivilization: "The characteristics of a supercivilization are that it uses technology to enhance its evolution to become a more powerful species. Second, the energy that a supercivilization can use must be really huge. Third, it must have gone a long way on this path of understanding the laws of the universe. But a technologically advanced supercivilization cannot be a civilization with only ideas. It must have left its own mark on the universe. It must have spread to places of considerable distance." - Liu Cixin Each episode is approximately 50 minutes long and will be followed by a 30~40 minutes group discussion period. NOTE: You will need to register for each event separately, and will(https://www.webex.com/downloads.html)on your phone/tablet or laptop/desktop computer. This specific vtool URL enrolls you in the "Voyage to the Stars" session. There is a part 3 to this series Come join us for this FREE Conference: engage with our presenters/moderators and join in the discussions and networking sessions embedded in the schedule. We look forward to greeting you all and engaging in both serious discussions and flights of fancy. Co-sponsored by: IEEE Southeastern Michigan Membership Development Committee Agenda: 7:00 pm Sign-in - Networking 7:05 pm Start of Documentary: “Voyage to the Stars” 8:00 pm End of Documentary 8:05 Roundtable Open Discussion. Followed by Wrap up & conclusion of conference. (We look forward to seeing you all here at the next documentary to expand the discussion.) Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/565838