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Provost's Lecture Series

At VCU and around the world, research and creative expression illuminate society’s greatest challenges and provide insights and applications to solve problems. Launched in December 2021, the VCU Provost’s Lecture Series provides a forum for presentation and discussion highlighting the expertise and scholarship of both VCU and global thought leaders and their impact on the issues of the day.

The Provost's Lecture Series serves as an educational opportunity to advance conversation and understanding on national and global challenges, provide a richer context for discussion, and foster peaceful dialogue. We expect participants to enter the conversation with curiosity, be respectful of each other, enable constructive dialogues, keep an open mind and intentionally look for opportunities to learn and consider new perspectives.

Science for Energy

October 16th at 7:00PM, STEM Room 216

The Institute for Sustainable Energy and Environment (ISEE) and the Provost Lecture Series present: Public Lecture “Science for Energy” with Dr. Harriet Kung, Acting Director of the Office of Science in the U.S. Department of Energy. This talk will provide an overview of DOE’s Office of Science, which has a mission of delivering scientific discoveries and major scientific tools to transform our understanding of nature and advance the energy, economic, and national security of the United States. This talk will also cover a key aspect of our portfolio in critical and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum, microelectronics, and fusion. These technologies will be a major source of new discoveries and breakthroughs, strengthen our economic prosperity, and increase access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy.

Full ISEE Symposium Schedule

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Dr. Harriet Kung

Dr. Harriet Kung is the Acting Director of the Office of Science in the U.S. Department of Energy. She also serves as the Deputy Director for Science Programs and is the senior career official providing scientific and management direction and oversight for the SC research programs, including Advanced Scientific Computing Research, Basic Energy Sciences, Biological and Environmental Research, Fusion Energy Sciences, High Energy Physics, and Nuclear Physics, as well as other supporting functions and offices.

With over 20 years of service in the Department of Energy, Dr. Kung led and cultivated one of the Nation’s premier physical sciences programs. During her tenure, she developed a new basic research paradigm in team-science approach to advance DOE’s science and energy missions by spearheading a decade-long strategic planning initiative to assure timely, science-based solutions. She also positioned the Office of Science as a National Quantum Initiative leader by establishing strategies to capitalize on strong synergy between disciplines such as physics, biology, materials, and engineering, as well as the world-leading scientific user facilities.

Dr. Harriet Kung

Previous Provost Lecture Series events

Select a presentation title below to view the archived recording of previous Provost Lecture Series events: