Annual Symposium
The Symposium each spring invites all Senior College members and members of the public to a full day of talks and discussion on large topics of current interest and concern. Now in its 20th year, this event is held in person at the Faculty Club and is also made available for online participation. Speakers bring both academic expertise and professional experience, providing a range of perspectives on huge themes such as Life and Death, Challenges Facing the City, and What Have We Learned from the Pandemic. The Q&A sessions after each presentation are always lively and engaging.
20th Annual Senior College Symposium, April 9, 2025
Adapting to Climate Change: Ways Forward
All day (9am-4pm) at U of T Faculty Club, 41 Willcocks or by Zoom
SPEAKERS
Ian Burton: emeritus U of T Geography and School of the Environment; scholar and policy advisor
“Climate Adaptation: Origins and Evolution”
Jeffrey Brook: retired, Environment Canada; now U of T Dalla Lana Public Health and Engineering
“Doubling Down on the Co-Benefits of Urban Adaptation”
Michael Classens: U of T School of the Environment and UTSC Culinaria Research Centre
“Transforming Local Food Systems”
Anabela Bonada: Managing Director, Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, University of Waterloo
“Building Climate Resilience: Adapting to Flood, Wildfire, and Extreme Heat in Toronto”
Sarah Burch: Waterloo Climate Institute and Balsillie School of International Affairs
“From Adaptation to Transformation—Accelerating Progress toward Low-Carbon Resilience”
THE PROGRAM
Previous Symposia
- https://www.seniorcollege.utoronto.ca/19th-annual-senior-college-symposium-wed-april-17-2024-the-program/
- 18th Annual Senior College Symposium, Wed. April 19, 2023: “Surveillance, Privacy, Artificial Intelligence, The Promises and Challenges of our Digital Age”
- 17th Annual Senior College Symposium, Wed. April 20, 2022: “What Have We Learned from the Pandemic?”
- 16th Annual Senior College Symposium, Wed. April 14, 2021: “Roots of Violence”