HELI Events and Programming
The Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative hosts a wide range of events that bring together legal experts, policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and the public to explore timely environmental law and policy issues. HELI programming includes panel discussions, book talks, faculty presentations, and symposia that foster dialogue on the intersection of law, climate change, and environmental justice. Events are open to all - from students, faculty, professionals, and community members - and often include both in-person and virtual attendance options.
Upcoming HELI Events
The Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative events are here.
For our past events, visit our previous events here.
Upcoming Events
Data Centers in Iowa: Identifying Knowledge Gaps, Data Needs, and Research Priorities Stakeholder Session
This planning session is invite only. For questions or details, contact brupe@uiowa.edu.
From Statutes to Soil: How Environmental Law and Geoscience Interact in Practice
What happens when environmental lawyers and geoscientists team up to tackle contaminated sites? Join Iowa Law alum Michael Dunning (Partner at Perkins Coie) and David Cook (Principal Geologist at the State of Washington Water Research Center) for a candid conversation on real-world collaboration at the intersection of law, science, and redevelopment - from hazardous waste cleanup to major urban projects. This joint HELI-SEES session will explore why interdisciplinary fluency isn’t just useful in...
Data Centers in Iowa: Perspectives from Community, Government, and Research
The Current State of Climate Regulation: Revisiting the Endangerment Finding
The EPA’s proposal to reconsider its long-standing Endangerment Finding raises major questions about the future of climate and public health protections in the United States. In this discussion, panelists will begin by explaining what the Endangerment Finding is, why it matters, and how administrative law shapes EPA’s authority to revisit it. The discussion will then turn to the scientific response to EPA’s proposal, including how a coalition of more than 100 climate and health experts came...
Why do we Defend the Defenders? Exploring layers of sovereignty, legitimacy, human rights, and activism in land and environmental protection
Defend the Defenders” is a global rallying cry to stop egregious levels of violence and repression against environmental activists around the world: at least 146 defenders killed in 2024 alone, over 2,000 in the last decade, and countless more assaulted and imprisoned. But while the call to action is strong and clear, defenders worldwide contend with counter-narratives framing them as self-interested activists trying to bully their way past outcomes of market capitalism and the democratic...
In Conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning Science Writer & Journalist Elizabeth Kolbert
A Recap of 2024-2025 Events
During the 2024–2025 academic year, HELI hosted a dynamic lineup of events focused on climate governance, industrial agriculture, environmental litigation, and climate science. Highlights included the Economic Implications of Climate Change Symposium, a conversation with author Corban Addison on Wastelands, a panel on climate change and insurance with New York Times climate reporter Christopher Flavelle, a book talk with Austin Frerick on Barons, and a keynote lecture by environmental law scholar Richard Lazarus. These events reflected HELI’s commitment to elevating critical environmental issues and creating space for diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary engagement.
Some highlights of our events are here.
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What kinds of events does HELI organize and support?
The HELI team hosts various kinds of events during the academic year. Those events generally fall into the following categories:
Hubbell Lecture Series
Leading voices from academia, government, environmental groups, and industry. Some lecturers are co-sponsored by other schools and programs at the University of Iowa or the larger community. The lecture series provides Iowa Law students the community the opportunity to learn from leaders of the environmental movement in the United States, builds relationships between the Law School and the environmental community, and contributes to debate about the environmental challenges facing our nation and the world. Students have the opportunity to meet privately with speakers during their visits to Iowa Law. All lectures are free and open to the public.
Careers in Environmental Law Speaker Series
HELI offers an event series focusing on careers in the large umbrella of environmental law. This event series includes public service and public interest attorneys, as well as attorneys in private practice and within larger firms and corporations. The practice areas encompass areas of environmental law, such as energy and sustainability programs, as well as more traditional compliance counseling and enforcement practices. Most speakers in this series are Iowa Law alums.
Panel Discussions and Special Events
HELI routinely sponsors panel discussions and special events throughout the year on current issues in environmental law with a particular emphasis on issues affecting the state of Iowa and the midwest region. The panel discussions are moderated by members of Iowa's distinguished and extensive environmental and sustainability faculty, staff and researchers. The discussions include presentations by academics, practitioners, and policy makers. Many of the events and panels are presented in conjunction with classroom discussions.
News about past events
HELI welcomes New York Times reporter, authors, and scholars to Iowa Law this Spring
HELI's Fall Programming Highlights Campus, Community, and Academic Partnerships
