by Stuti Mankodi
The University of Pennsylvania’s School of Arts & Sciences (SAS) has introduced SAS Horizons, a new strategic vision that outlines how the school will address some of the most pressing global challenges of the coming decades. Among its central priorities is a strong focus on climate change and its intersection with society, science, and policy.
Through this initiative, SAS aims to strengthen interdisciplinary research and teaching that connects the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities to better understand and respond to the climate crisis.
Climate, Society, and the Future World
One of the key thematic pillars of SAS Horizons is “Climate, Society, and the Future World.” This focus area seeks to expand Penn’s capacity to study climate change from multiple perspectives, recognizing that climate is not only a scientific issue but also a social, political, and economic challenge.
The initiative encourages collaboration across departments to explore questions such as how climate change affects ecosystems, food systems, governance, and human well-being. By integrating expertise from fields including environmental science, economics, political science, and history, SAS aims to develop a more comprehensive understanding of climate impacts and solutions.
Advancing Climate Research
SAS Horizons also emphasizes expanding research infrastructure and partnerships that support climate-related scholarship. Existing research programs, such as the Vagelos Institute for Energy Science and Technology, will continue to play an important role in advancing innovation in energy systems and sustainable technologies.
Another major component is the Plant Adaptability and Resilience Center, which studies how plants respond to changing environmental conditions. Research in this area is critical for understanding how agriculture and ecosystems can adapt to a warming climate and for strengthening global food security.
Together, these initiatives highlight the importance of linking climate science with broader questions about biodiversity, resilience, and sustainable resource management.
Integrating Climate into Education and Society
Beyond advancing research, SAS Horizons seeks to embed climate topics more deeply across the school’s educational programs while also expanding engagement with broader communities. The initiative supports the development of interdisciplinary courses, new academic programs, and opportunities for students to explore climate challenges from multiple perspectives.
At the same time, the strategy emphasizes public engagement through programming, research partnerships, and interdisciplinary collaboration, fostering dialogue around the human dimensions of climate change and encouraging informed climate action.
Looking Ahead
With the launch of SAS Horizons, the School of Arts & Sciences is positioning itself to play a leading role in addressing global environmental challenges. By combining scientific discovery, interdisciplinary collaboration, and public engagement, the initiative seeks to advance knowledge while helping society navigate an increasingly complex climate future.
As climate change continues to shape ecological systems, economies, and communities worldwide, initiatives like SAS Horizons highlight the importance of universities as hubs for research, education, and solutions.
Stuti Mankodi is a graduate student in Penn’s Master of Environmental Science program and a student writer for Penn Climate.