Policy Talks 2025
We are thrilled to announce Policy Talks 2025! Some details about this event are below, and we welcome you to send any questions you have to ethics@olemiss.edu.
Policy Talks is an invitation-only event produced by The Center for Practical Ethics and brings together a group academics, business leaders, legal experts, and policy makers to learn about recent industry practices, explore current academic educational and research models, and consider ethical challenges and goals.
On Friday, March 7th from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., we will discuss this year’s topic, “Resource Management, Stewardship, and Innovation in Mississippi.”
Topic – Resource Management, Stewardship,
and Innovation in Mississippi
Mississippi, like many other states in our region, has a wealth of resources. Mineral deposits, vast aquifers, and plentiful energy all contribute to sustaining a robust agricultural base and expanding new industries. Stewarding these resources well is critical to meet the growing needs of citizens, communities, and industries and requires careful planning as well as cutting-edge research. Policy Talks 2025 brings together leaders of all stripes to explore creative and impactful ways to manage our resources--from the experts who study our resources, to the industry innovators who make them useful, to the community members who depend on them. We will not only discuss ways current technologies and coming innovations can help to solve problems but also foster collaborations among researchers, community members, funders, and policymakers to ensure that we are ready for future problems too.
This private and invite-only convening gathers people from across the state of Mississippi, representing a range of community groups, non-profits, agencies, and industries. The day-long event includes presentations, panel discussions, interest group breakouts, and a focused case study to secure funding and enhance innovative green infrastructure through governmental, industry, state, and community partnerships. In addition to the presentations on energy, minerals, and water, the day also showcases a range of innovative technologies from academic researchers as well as private industries.
Schedule
9 | Coffee
​
10 | Welcome + Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications
​
10:45 | Session 1 - Energy
Rapid scaling of technologies such as data centers and electric vehicles as well as an aging power grid has led to an ever-greater need for energy generation, distribution, and storage. Central to the public health and economic growth of our state (as well as our nation) require lawmakers and business leaders to consider the future of energy and to answer questions about the best policies to establish. Are we close to reliable and ubiquitous green energy? What are the greatest needs for our current energy grid? Will these needs change in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
​
11:30 | Session 2 - Mineral Resources
Mississippi has vast mineral resources, many of which are untapped. In thinking about the future needs of our citizens, communities, and industries, what resources does our state have and what are the options for how we might harness them? Importantly, what methods can be used to ensure the equitable access, distribution, and protection of both the resources and the needs of persons in this process of development?
​
12:15 | Lunch
​
1 | Session 3 - Water as a Resource (Panel)
We must address the challenges of using water wisely. How do we get it to people safely? What tradeoffs do we face when answering competing demands of water use, e.g., industry and agriculture vs residential use? What changes are needed to address emerging problems with water management?
​
2 | Tech and Innovation Array
​
2:45 | Break
​
3 | Session 4 - Community Health and Impact
Development (whether industrial, agricultural, or environmental) inevitably comes with challenges and opportunities for the communities it affects. Ensuring changes preserve and promote the health of these communities is critical for sustainable growth. What factors must be considered to support these goals and how can we best achieve them? How can we balance economic growth and community resilience?
​
3:45 | Interest Group Breakout
Choose your own working group via a pre-survey of interests
​
4:45 | Session 5 - Case Study
An inspiring example of a collaborative approach to policy, funding, and infrastructure development to improve water access and quality for a community.
​
5:15 | Wrap-up
​
5:30 | Reception
Speakers
We are still finalizing the speakers for this event. Check back occasionally as we update the list and provide bios for confirmed speakers.
Associate Center Director, Hydrologic Transport and Response Branch, US Geological Survey - CONFIRMED
Director, Social Equity and Environmental Engineering Lab, and Assistant Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology - CONFIRMED
State Geologist of Mississippi, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality - CONFIRMED
Assistant Professor, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and the School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology
Interest Groups
Interest groups are one of the most important parts of the day. They are comprised of the experts we have invited in order to gain a better understanding of the context, risks, and opportunities of our topic. Attendees will let us know beforehand which interest group they wish to join, and members of that group will discuss their research, innovation, and policy backgrounds as well as possible collaborations and solutions for the topic at hand. These groups are an excellent networking opportunity and an engine for future collaborative research and projects. You can learn more about the Policy Talks process at this link.