CAS Beautiful Brain Conference

This year’s conference will explore Global Sustainability, with Hope as its central theme—not hope as passive optimism, but as a source of imagination, inquiry, and action.

For the first time, the Beautiful Brain Conference will connect NYU New York, Florence, and Abu Dhabi in one live conversation across three continents. Faculty and student speakers from each site will share how they are confronting some of the most urgent sustainability challenges of our time—and how their research, creativity, and leadership are opening new possibilities for the future.

1 Joyful – LIVE                                             3 Campuses on 3 Continents
International Experience                             NYU New York, NYU Abu Dhabi, NYU Florence

Conference Opening:
● 8:30 – 9:00 AM EST (14:30 – 15:00 CET) –  Global Hospitality & Networking
● 9:00 – 9:15 AM (15:00 – 15:15 CET) – Global Welcome & Interactive Exercise

Site-Specific Segments:
● 9:15 – 10:15 AM (15:15 – 16:15 CET) – Abu Dhabi
○ 9:15 – 9:20 AM (15:15 – 15:20 CET)– Moderated introductions: Carol Brandt
○ 9:20 – 9:35 AM (15:20 – 15:35 CET) – Faculty Presentation: John Burt
○ 9:35 – 9:45 AM (15:35 – 15:45 CET)– Student Presentation: Tanisha Chauhan
○ 9:45 – 10:00 AM (15:45 – 16:00 CET)– Moderated Q&A: Carol Brandt

10:00 – 10:15 AM (16:00 – 16:15 CET)– Break & Refreshments

● 10:15 – 11:15 AM (16:15 – 17:15 CET)– Florence
○ 10:15 – 10:20 AM (16:15 – 16:20 CET)– Moderated introductions: Nicoletta Peluffo
○ 10:20 – 10:35 AM (16:20 – 16:35 CET)– Faculty Presentation: Nick Dakin-Elliot
○ 10:35 – 10:45 AM (16:35 – 16:45 CET)– Student Presentation: Jay Kaufman
○ 10:45 – 11:00 AM (16:45 – 17:00 CET) – Moderated Q&A: Nicoletta Peluffo

11:00 – 11:15 AM (17:00 – 18:15 CET)– Break & Refreshments

● 11:15 – 12:15 PM (17:15 – 18:15 CET)– New York
○ 11:15 – 11:20 AM (17:15 – 17:20 CET)– Moderated introductions: Cecil Scheib
○ 11:20 – 11:35 AM (17:20 – 17:35 CET)– Faculty Presentation: Kristin Winchell
○ 11:35 – 11:45 AM (17:35 – 17:45 CET)– Student Presentation: Rachel Kim
○ 11:45 – 12:00 PM (17:45 – 18:00 CET)– Moderated Q&A: Cecil Scheib
○ 12:00 – 12:03 PM (18:00 – 18:03 CET)– Wendy Suzuki Home Stretch

Moving Right Into Closing Discussion and Global Unified Action Items:
● 12:03 – 12:15 PM (18:03 – 18:15 CET)– Moderators’ Reflection (come prepared to celebrate your takeaways, highlight names and moments; similarities and differences, etc.)
WS announcement of follow ups.