Events
Dec 17 – 18, 2025: Climate Extremes & Societal Risks
Discover latest insights on climate extremes from global experts to guide informed decision-making.
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Keynote Speakers
DEC 17
Public Event
Register
Register
Location: VU Amsterdam, NU-building (Theater 3 + Eventspot)
Time: 4PM – 7.30PM (Check-in starts from 3.30PM)
Time: 4PM – 7.30PM (Check-in starts from 3.30PM)
As the impacts of climate change intensify, the connection between science, risk, and policy has never been more crucial. Join us for an open and insightful evening exploring the state of the climate, the latest science on extreme weather and risk, and what must be done now to shape resilient and evidence-based climate policy. The event will feature keynote presentations from:
• Prof. Dr. Robert Vautard, Chair of IPCC Working Group I (The Physical Science Basis)
• Prof. Dr. Bart van den Hurk, Chair of IPCC Working Group II (Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability)
• Jenty Kirsch-Wood, Head Global Risk Analysis and Reporting Section, UNDRR
• Tamara Happé, PhD candidate part of project XAIDA
• Sophie Buijs, PhD candidate part of project MYRIAD
• Prof. Dr. Bart van den Hurk, Chair of IPCC Working Group II (Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability)
• Jenty Kirsch-Wood, Head Global Risk Analysis and Reporting Section, UNDRR
• Tamara Happé, PhD candidate part of project XAIDA
• Sophie Buijs, PhD candidate part of project MYRIAD
Together, these presentations will illuminate the pathways from scientific understanding to effective climate action. Following the talks, there will be ample time for discussion with the audience — including invited journalists, policymakers, scientists and other stakeholders.
Traveling for this event? Click here to view our Accommodation Guide with hotels and places to stay near the event location.
DEC 18
Science Event
Location: VU Amsterdam, NU-building (Theater 4 + Eventspot)
Time: 8.30AM – 1PM (Check-in starts from 8AM)
Time: 8.30AM – 1PM (Check-in starts from 8AM)
The following morning, around 50 scientists — a mix of senior and early-career researchers from XAIDA, MYRIAD, and beyond — will gather for a focused scientific workshop. The program opens with two hours of inspiring overview talks from keynote speakers including:
• 8h30-9h10: Impact Attribution (Paolo Scussolini, VU Amsterdam)
• 9h10-9h50: Artificial Intelligence and meteorology (Laure Raynaud, Météo France)
• 9h50-10h30: Other emerging frontiers in climate risk research (Judith Claassen, MYRIAD)
• 9h10-9h50: Artificial Intelligence and meteorology (Laure Raynaud, Météo France)
• 9h50-10h30: Other emerging frontiers in climate risk research (Judith Claassen, MYRIAD)
Prof. Dr. Bart van den Hurk, Prof. Dr. Robert Vautard, and Jenty Kirsch-Wood will reflect on the discussions in real time, offering insights from an IPCC as well disaster risk reduction perspective. The morning concludes with poster sessions (10.30-13.00) and informal networking, providing space for collaboration and idea exchange among scientists across disciplines.
Traveling for this event? Click here to view our Accommodation Guide with hotels and places to stay near the event location.
JAN 19 – 21
2nd Workshop on “Dynamics of Rossby Waves, Compound Extremes and Their Impacts”
Registration: closed
Location: VU Amsterdam
Time: TBD
Location: VU Amsterdam
Time: TBD
The workshop will review the current state of knowledge on Rossby waves, compound extremes, and their impacts, while identifying key research gaps and future directions. It will feature invited and contributed talks, posters, and discussion sessions on open challenges, collaborations, and sharing of tools and datasets. The event builds on the 2023 Bologna workshop on “Rossby waves, heatwaves and compound extreme events.” In-person participation is strongly encouraged, with limited online access available. Keynote Speakers (alphabetical order):
• Emanuele Bevacqua (UFZ Leipzig)
• Dim Coumou (VU Amsterdam)
• Giorgia di Capua (PIK Potsdam)
• Erich Fischer (ETH Zürich)
• Hayley Fowler (Newcastle University)
• Olivia Martius (University of Bern)
• Gabriele Messori (Uppsala University)
• Vikki Thompson (University of Edinburgh)
• Sander Veraverbeke (VU Amsterdam)
• Rachel White (University of British Columbia)
• Tim Woollings (University of Oxford)
• Dim Coumou (VU Amsterdam)
• Giorgia di Capua (PIK Potsdam)
• Erich Fischer (ETH Zürich)
• Hayley Fowler (Newcastle University)
• Olivia Martius (University of Bern)
• Gabriele Messori (Uppsala University)
• Vikki Thompson (University of Edinburgh)
• Sander Veraverbeke (VU Amsterdam)
• Rachel White (University of British Columbia)
• Tim Woollings (University of Oxford)
Updated information is available on the workshop website
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