Metcalf Institute based at the University of Rhode Island will conduct its 25th Annual Public Lecture Series June 13-17. Recent events around the world have shown how climate change has made flooding a much more frequent and dangerous risk in both coastal and inland settings. The 2022 Metcalf Institute Lecture Series will explore the causes and consequences of coastal and inland flooding, including how climate change is affecting flooding, the inequitable impacts of flood events, and how communities are taking action. The weeklong series will highlight leaders in science, policy, and community engagement to explore the latest research and collaborative efforts to respond to our changing environment.

"From flash floods in New York City and China to hurricane-driven storm surge, to ‘sunny-day’ flooding in Miami, many parts of the world are racing to adapt to the impacts of extreme flood events," said Sunshine Menezes, Metcalf Institute executive director. "These lectures will highlight trends in flooding, how infrastructure planning can produce more equitable outcomes, and the importance of community collaborations to ensure a safe future in flood-prone areas."

All lectures are free and will be available via Zoom. Live captioning and ASL interpretation will be provided. Limited in-person seating is available for the June 16 Leeson Lecture, which will also be livestreamed.  The June 16 in-person lecture from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. will be held at the URI Graduate School of Oceanography in Narragansett and via Zoom.

The Leeson Lecture was established in 2019 thanks to the generous support of donors to honor Metcalf Institute’s longest serving Advisory Board member, Robert Leeson, Jr. Learn more and register for the 2022 Metcalf Institute Annual Public Lecture Series on the Metcalf Institute website: www.metcalfinstitute.org.