World leaders, business executives and policy experts will convene in Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum Jan. 19-23 to discuss some of the most pressing global challenges.
The themes will include cooperation in a contested world, economic growth, investing in people, responsible innovation and building prosperity within planetary boundaries. Rice University experts are available to provide insight on these topics.
How can we cooperate in a more contested world?
Expert: Mark Jones, professor in political science
Related topics: Global politics and cooperation
Expertise: Political institutions, U.S. and comparative politics, international governance, including:
- How geopolitical competition is reshaping global cooperation.
- Challenges to multilateral institutions in a more contested world.
- Implications for diplomacy, security and international policy coordination.
How can we unlock new sources for growth?
Expert: John Diamond, the Edward A. and Hermena Hancock Kelly Senior Fellow in Public Finance at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy
Related topics: Economic growth and fiscal policy
Expertise: Public finance, economic growth, tax policy, including:
- Paths to sustainable economic growth in advanced and emerging economies.
- The role of fiscal policy in supporting innovation, investment and the macroeconomy.
- Economic tradeoffs facing governments in uncertain global markets.
Expert: Lane Martin, the Robert A. Welch Professor of Materials Science and NanoEngineering
Related topics: Materials science and critical resources
Expertise: Functional materials, energy and resource technologies, including:
- How new materials can reduce dependence on scarce or geopolitically sensitive resources.
- Innovation in sourcing and processing critical materials.
- The role of advanced materials in future industrial growth.
Expert: Kenneth Evans, fellow in science, technology and innovation policy at the Baker Institute
Related topics: Science and technology policy
Expertise: Research policy, innovation systems, technology governance, including:
- How governments can support growth through science and technology investment.
- Policy tools for strengthening research ecosystems.
- Balancing openness and security in responsible innovation.
How can we better invest in people?
Expert: Pedro Alvarez, the George R. Brown Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and director of the Rice Water Institute
Related topics: Clean water, health and infrastructure
Expertise: Water systems, environmental health, infrastructure, including:
- Investing in clean water as a foundation for human health and economic development.
- Sustainable water systems in low-resource communities.
- The link between infrastructure, resilience and long-term prosperity.
Expert: Christopher Jermaine, the Victor E. Cameron Professor of Computer Science
Related topics: Artificial intelligence education and workforce development
Expertise: AI, computing education, workforce training, including:
- Preparing workers for AI-driven economies.
- Equitable access to advanced technical education.
- Building human capital in a rapidly changing labor market.
How can we deploy innovation at scale responsibly?
Expert: Sanjoy Paul, executive director of Rice Nexus
Related topics: AI and space innovation
Expertise: Advanced technologies, innovation systems, including:
- Scaling AI responsibly across industries.
- Ethical and governance challenges of emerging technologies.
- Innovation in space exploration and its broader economic impact.
Expert: Ken Medlock, the James A. Baker. III and Susan G. Baker Fellow in Energy at the Baker Institute
Related topics: Energy systems and policy
Expertise: Energy markets, policy, transition strategies, including:
- The future of global energy systems.
- Balancing reliability, affordability and sustainability.
- Economic implications of energy transitions.
Expert: Daniel Cohan, professor of civil and environmental engineering
Related topics: Clean energy and environmental engineering
Expertise: Air quality, energy systems, climate policy, including:
- Strategies for a green energy transition.
- Reducing pollution while supporting economic growth.
- Policy pathways for cleaner industrial systems.
Expert: Rachel Meidl, fellow in energy and sustainability at the Baker Institute
Related Topics: Systems-level sustainability, energy and materials policy, circular economy, supply chain resilience
Expertise: Plastics and materials systems, waste management, recycling, and circular economy strategies, including:
- Systems-level analysis of plastics production, use and end-of-life pathways.
- Life cycle-informed approaches to balance sustainability across materials supply chains.
- Policy, market and regulatory frameworks enabling scalable circular economy solutions.
- Advanced and chemical recycling, mass-balance accounting and recycled content policy.
- Integration of sustainability, economic competitiveness and supply chain resilience.
How can we build prosperity within planetary boundaries?
Expert: Dominic Boyer, professor of anthropology
Related topics: Climate and society
Expertise: Energy, climate politics, social impacts, including:
- How climate policy affects communities.
- Social dimensions of environmental transitions.
- Public engagement in sustainability efforts.
Expert: Cymene Howe, professor of anthropology
Related topics: Climate, culture and activism
Expertise: Climate change, social movements, cultural responses, including:
- How societies respond to climate risk.
- The role of activism in shaping environmental policy.
- Cultural narratives around sustainability.
Expert: Jim Blackburn, professor in the practice of environmental law and co-director of Rice’s SSPEED Center
Related topics: Nature-based solutions, climate resilience, circular economy, and Earth rules
Expertise: Environmental law, climate resilience, carbon credits, including:
- Nature-based solutions for climate adaptation.
- Using carbon markets to support conservation.
- Legal frameworks for sustainable development.
Expert: Juan José Castellón, assistant professor of architecture
Related topics: Sustainable architecture and building technologies
Expertise: Ecological design, structural systems, innovative material systems and contemporary building envelopes, including:
- Designing buildings with eco-friendly materials.
- Integrating sustainability and designing experimental building prototypes for ecological urban infrastructures.
- Architectural solutions for climate-conscious buildings and adaptable cities.
To schedule an interview, contact Marcy de Luna, senior national media relations specialist, at marcy.deluna@rice.edu, or Chris Stipes, executive director of news and media relations, at chris.stipes@rice.edu.