iSEE Congress brings together the world’s leading scientists, researchers, educators, and activists to address some of today’s most urgent global challenges: sustainability, energy generation and conservation, and environmental stewardship. Through expert presentations and discussions of the latest scientific research and community action, attendees gain insight into cutting-edge knowledge — as well as the future directions for research, policy, and solutions that can drive long-term change.
Each year, the Congress creates a dynamic forum to explore global issues and build actionable research agendas. By convening local, national, and international experts from academia, industry, government, and NGOs, iSEE fosters interdisciplinary and cross-continental collaborations to advance sustainability solutions.
The 2025 Congress theme, “A Circular Bioeconomy as a Path to Net-Zero,” explores innovative ways to use organic resources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, support agriculture, and promote economic growth — all while lessening environmental impact. Panels will address circularity in key areas including food systems, energy, plastics, and carbon capture and sequestration. Speakers will discuss the current state of research, technology, and policy, and share progress toward a net-zero carbon future.
This year’s organizing committee includes Gal Hochman, Professor of Environmental and Resource Economics; Jeremy Guest, Levenick Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering; Kevin O’Brien, Director of the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center and Founding Director of the Prairie Research Institute Net-Zero Center of Excellence; Yong-Su Jin, Professor of Food Microbiology; Andrew Leakey, Professor of Plant Biology; Roland Cusick, Associate Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering; Vijay Singh, Distinguished Professor of Bioprocessing and Director of the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory; and Becca Taylor, Assistant Professor of Agricultural & Consumer Economics.