Schrödinger Lecture 2022 - Dr Rajiv J. Shah

How can a divided world combat climate change?

Lecture - 17.00

Reception - 18.00

The lecture is free to attend and open to all, but registration is required in advance.

Please note that in-person seating is offered on a first come first served basis. It is mandatory to register for a ticket if you would like to attend this event in-person. Unfortunately, we are unable to permit entry to those without a ticket on the day.

If the main lecture theatre reaches capacity you will only be able to register for a virtual event ticket.

The lecture will be followed by a reception

All children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Abstract

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the world has grown more divided — between vaccinated and unvaccinated, rich and poor, North and South, advanced and developing, tech-enabled and tech-deprived nations. At a moment when new technological breakthroughs are changing how humanity powers cities, grows food and manufactures goods, these divisions risk exacerbating the climate crisis. Dr. Shah will explore how the world can reimagine the climate project as a vehicle for overcoming these divisions and protecting – even saving – our planet.

Biography

Dr. Shah serves as President of the Rockefeller Foundation, a global institution with a mission to promote the well-being of humanity around the world. The Foundation applies data, science, and innovation to improve health for women and children, create nutritious and sustainable food systems, end energy poverty for more than a billion people worldwide, and enable meaningful economic mobility in the United States and around the world.

In 2009, he was appointed USAID Administrator by President Obama and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Dr. Shah reshaped the $20 billion agency’s operations in more than 70 countries around the world by elevating the role of innovation, creating high impact public-private partnerships, and focusing US investments to deliver stronger results. Shah secured bipartisan support that included the passage of two significant laws – the Global Food Security Act and the Electrify Africa Act. He led the U.S. response to the Haiti earthquake and the West African Ebola pandemic, served on the National Security Council, and elevated the role of development as part of our nation’s foreign policy. Prior to his appointment at USAID, Shah served as Chief Scientist and Undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics at the United States Department of Agriculture where he created the National Institute for Food and Agriculture.

Shah founded Latitude Capital, a private equity firm focused on power and infrastructure projects in Africa and Asia and served as a Distinguished Fellow in Residence at Georgetown University. Previously, he served at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where he created the International Financing Facility for Immunization which helped reshape the global vaccine industry and save millions of lives.

Raised outside of Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Shah is a graduate of the University of Michigan, the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and the Wharton School of Business. He has received several honorary degrees, the Secretary of State’s Distinguished Service Award, and the U.S. Global Leadership Award. He is married to Shivam Mallick Shah and they have three children.

COVID-19 guidance

This event is being planned in-line with anticipated Government guidance at the time of the event. All College safety policies in place at the time will be followed. You can read about our current safety policies on the College website.

We are committed to delivering our events safely and responsibly and in order to do so, elements of the event and delivery format may need to change to adhere to any updated Government or College guidance.

This may include the use of face coverings, a reduction in guests at the in-person event and some adjustments to the schedule and format of the evening. We will keep guests fully up to date with any changes and further details about our plans as we move towards the event.

We also request that if you test positive for COVID within 14 days after the event please do let us know as soon as possible so that we are able to notify other attendees for contact tracing purposes.

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