2026 Environmental Justice Symposium
The Environmental Justice Club at Bren invites you to attend its 8th Annual Environmental Justice Symposium on Friday, May 15th! Since 2019, the Bren EJ Symposium has been a graduate-student-led event that brings together students, faculty, activists, and local organizations involved in environmental justice. This year's theme is Power, Place, & Possibilities in Environmental Justice. The event will deconstruct and (re)imagine systems of power, focusing on global forces, domestic challenges, and the future of environmental justice in a critical moment.
These are heavy times. Showing up for each other, the work, and the future takes real effort, but gatherings like this stand as a reminder of what is possible when we create space to learn from one another and refuse to face these challenges alone.
This is a hybrid event in Bren Hall 1414 or on Zoom. Register here to attend.
SCHEDULE
12:00 - 12:50pm: Welcome by EJ Club & Keynote
1:00 - 1:50pm: Panel: Power
This panel will examine the intersection of power structures that shape environmental inequities through the lens of resource extraction and climate response.
- Panelists: Julie Maldonado & Mona Damluji
1:50 - 2:05pm: Flash Talks Session 1
- Presenters: Sarayu Ramnath, Isabella Segarra, & Sarah Love
2:05 - 2:30pm: Intermission
2:30 - 3:20pm: Panel: Place
This panel will explore the relationship between communities, land, and water in Central California.
- Panelists: MariaElena Lopez & Nayamin Martinez
3:20 - 3:35pm: Flask Talks Session 2
- Presenters: Aaliyah Muhammad, Halle Kuhar-Pitters, & Sara Soroka
3:35 - 4:25pm: Panel: Possibilities
This panel will (re)imagine the future of environmental justice, education, activism, and the interconnections between them.
- Panelists: Timnit Kefela & Kimiko Russell-Halterman
4:25 - 4:35pm: Closing Remarks
4:30pm Reception in the Michael J. Connell Courtyard
We extend our sincere thanks to all of our sponsors for making this event possible. A special acknowledgment goes to The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) and the Training and Community Outreach Grant (TACO).
We also want to thank the Bren School for granting us space to host the symposium and for their financial support in making the event possible. We also thank all the Bren staff who have been supporting the Environmental Justice Club throughout the process.