Rice University and Université Paris Sciences & Lettres (PSL) convened leading researchers for a daylong summit May 14 at the Rice Global Paris Center, following the official launch of a strategic research partnership between the two institutions.
“On behalf of all of Rice University, let me say that we are both delighted and honored to host the Rice PSL Inaugural Research Summit,” said Caroline Levander, vice president of Rice Global.
PSL, a consortium of 11 elite French research universities and institutes, brings a powerhouse of 2,900 researchers and 140 laboratories to the partnership. Rice, with its world-class faculty and location in Houston — considered the energy capital of the world and a hub for medical research and space exploration — complements PSL’s strengths.
“We’re very fortunate to have this alignment of research ambition,” Levander said. “Innovation in education is so important to both universities. Monday’s signing makes all of that permanent, durable and expandable over time.”
The summit, designed to foster collaboration, featured presentations from faculty on their research programs, followed by breakout sessions focused on four key research themes: energy and climate, urban futures, global health and quantum technologies.
“This is daylong, deep engagement amongst our very best faculty,” Levander said. “You can hear how they’re interlocking research areas. What we anticipate is not only research projects that will require funding within those research verticals but also collaboration across them.”
Learn more about the Rice-PSL partnership here.