The College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment’s Weaver Lecture Series proudly presents a lecture by Arun Agrawal, Pulte Family Professor and founding director of the Just Transformations to Sustainability Initiative in the Keough School of Global Affairs at The University of Notre Dame. Agrawal, who is an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, will give a lecture titled “Transformative Change and Global Sustainability” on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at 2 p.m., immediately followed by a reception at the Forestry, Wildlife and Environment Building located at 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, Ala.

Lecture Title: Transformative Change and Global Sustainability

Lecture Abstract: As the calamities of climate change, biodiversity loss and sociopolitical polarization gather pace, researchers and decision-makers are calling for transformative change. Global sustainability remains a chimera without transformative change, especially in preventing biodiversity loss and nature’s decline. Drawing upon three years of work by more than 80 scientists from 30 countries, Agrawal’s lecture will define and characterize transformative change and examine the role of visions, scenarios and action theories in achieving it. It will also assess some of the most promising strategies and options that may lead to transformative change for achieving the vision of the 2050 Global Biodiversity Framework.

Speaker Biography: Arun Agrawal is the Pulte Family Professor and founding director of the Just Transformations to Sustainability Initiative in the Keough School of Global Affairs at The University of Notre Dame. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences. Agrawal’s research focuses broadly on the political economy of resource governance and development with a particular focus on commons and commoning. His recent research interests concern the relationship of climate change with health and conflict. Agrawal’s instructional interests concern social action and change.

Weaver Lecture Series Seminar
The Weaver Lecture Series was established in 1996 through an endowment provided by Earl H. and Sandra H. Weaver. The series brings individuals with expertise in forestry, wildlife and the environment to the Auburn University campus to enhance the college’s academic programs through public lectures and interaction with faculty and students.

Event Details
Refreshments will be available at 1:30 p.m., the lecture will begin at 2 p.m., and a reception will follow at 3 p.m. All are welcome to attend, and no pre-registration is necessary. Parking is available on the third and fourth levels of Auburn University’s South Quad Parking Deck, located across from the Forestry, Wildlife and Environment Building.