Houstonʼs audit shows ongoing financial challenges, Baker Institute experts say
A recent audit of Houston’s finances reveals ongoing challenges, with experts warning that without major structural reforms the city could face financial instability that affects essential services.
Rice chemical engineering helping to power the energy transition
Rice professors Aditya Mohite and Haotian Wang presented their research and entrepreneurial work at CERAWeek, an annual energy conference in Houston, to industry peers and leaders from around the world the week of March 10.
Rice’s Harris explains complexities of proposed state bill to ban hemp products
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick recently held a press conference on SB 3, a bill to ban all hemp products with cannabinoids other than cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) in Texas. An expert on drug policy from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy is available to explain the bill and comment on the implications of the policy.
Sustainable practices can be based in nature, expert says
Rice biogeochemist Carrie Masiello was a headliner in CERAWeek’s “lyceum” where experts from industry and academia present research and technical expertise at the annual energy conference in Houston.
Energy transition is also a tech transition, Rice experts stress
Rice research was well represented at CERAWeek, the annual energy conference in Houston. It provides a global and high-level framework for understanding what’s ahead for energy markets and forums to exchange insights and solutions among academic and industry peers.
Energy Venture Day at CERAWeek selects 9 ‘most promising’ startups
Nine companies were named most promising at the annual Rice Alliance Energy Venture Day and Pitch Competition at CERAWeek March 12, co-hosted with the Houston Energy Transition Initiative and TEX-E. The event showcases energy ventures driving efficiency and advancements toward the energy transition through fields such as carbon management, advanced manufacturing, hydrogen, grid technology and more. This year’s competition was a qualifying event for the Startup World Cup, powered by Pegasus Ventures. The top-scoring venture is invited to compete in the grand finale and a $1 million investment prize.
Rice experts at CERAWeek showcase their research
CERAWeek, an annual energy conference, kicked off March 10, and Rice experts are presenting their work on the energy transition.
Former presidential advisers discuss their role shaping science policy
Three former presidential science advisers spoke with the director of Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy March 5 to discuss the critical role of science and technology in a complex world. The conversation explored the panelists’ experiences leading the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the office’s critical role in shaping national policies to advance science, technology, innovation and higher education.
Federal research funding feeds technological advancement, US official says at Baker Institute event
Dario Gil, senior vice president and director of research at IBM and recently nominated undersecretary for science and innovation at the U.S. Department of Energy, spoke at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy March 4 about the importance of research and development (R&D) funding and the future of U.S. science and technology (S&T).
Racial earning gap in gig work eliminated through new rating system
A new study published in Nature uncovers a hidden problem — racial bias in customer evaluations — which led to a 9% income gap between white and non-white gig workers in a home services platform. The study also proposes an unexpected but simple solution: changing how customers rate workers from a five-star to a thumbs-up/thumbs-down system.
Veterans Business Battle returns to Rice March 13-14
Rice Business is hosting its 11th annual Veterans Business Battle — a forum for veterans to connect with investors, advisers and resources. Each year, the event gives military veterans an opportunity to pitch business ideas for a chance to raise capital.
‘Believe in yourself’: Women in Leadership Conference brings together business leaders, mentors
Rice Business hosted the 25th annual Women in Leadership Conference, a beacon of inspiration in the Houston community empowering women to accomplish their career and personal goals.
Protecting science, technology policy can unleash American potential, report says
The Science and Technology Action Committee (STAC), a blue ribbon panel of leaders in science policy, launched “Vision for American Science and Technology (VAST),” a brief, nonpartisan document that offers a vision of a future in which American science and technology can continue to serve the country. Neal Lane, senior fellow in science and technology policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is one of 25 members serving on the STAC panel.
Rice energy expertise to be featured at CERAWeek
A number of experts from Rice will appear at CERAWeek to present their research and industry expertise March 10-14. Faculty and university leaders will contribute to key discussions at the week’s Executive Conference, Innovation Agora and Partner Programs, addressing the most pressing challenges in the energy sector such as decarbonization, artificial intelligence and scaling.
Drug policy expert available to explain current Texas Senate bills, future of cannabis regulation
The Texas Senate State Affairs Committee is currently hearing two cannabis bills. Katharine Neill Harris, the Alfred C. Glassell III Fellow in Drug Policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is available to explain the bills and the future of cannabis regulation.
