Keynotes
Naomi Oreskes
Henry Charles Lea Professor of the History of Science, Harvard University
Bio:
Naomi Oreskes is a prominent historian of science and an influential voice in climate science communication, whose expertise will add depth to discussions at MatchPoints 2025. As the Henry Charles Lea Professor of the History of Science at Harvard University, with an affiliation in Earth and Planetary Sciences, Oreskes combines rigorous historical analysis with a strong focus on the environmental sciences. She is best known for her co-authored book, Merchants of Doubt, which exposes how industry-funded misinformation campaigns have undermined public understanding of climate science—a theme highly relevant to today’s climate policy challenges. This book, also adapted into a documentary, highlights her impact on public discourse about the role of scientific truth in society.
In addition to her groundbreaking work on disinformation, Oreskes has authored influential books like Why Trust Science? and The Big Myth, which examine the social dimensions of scientific trust and the impact of industry on public beliefs. Her insights into the intersection of science, society, and policy offer invaluable perspectives for MatchPoints 2025’s goals of promoting informed climate action. Her academic leadership, public engagement, and advocacy for evidence-based decision-making align closely with the conference’s mission to foster a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to climate solutions.
By addressing the cultural and political challenges that impede climate action, Oreskes brings an essential perspective on overcoming skepticism and fostering trust in climate science, making her contributions particularly valuable for audiences focused on achieving meaningful climate progress.
Abstract:
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Dr. Arun Majumdar
Dean of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford University
Bio:
Dr. Arun Majumdar is a renowned leader in sustainability and energy innovation, whose expertise will bring significant value to MatchPoints 2025. As the inaugural Dean of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, launched in 2022, Majumdar directs interdisciplinary research and education focused on addressing climate and sustainability challenges on a global scale. This role, combined with his positions as the Jay Precourt Provostial Chair Professor and his faculty appointments in Mechanical Engineering and Energy Science and Engineering, emphasizes his commitment to integrating science and engineering for sustainable solutions.
Previously, Majumdar served as the Founding Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) in the U.S. Department of Energy, where he drove groundbreaking research on transformative clean energy technologies. His government service continued as Acting Under Secretary of Energy, where he worked on policies to accelerate the development and adoption of energy innovations. His leadership at ARPA-E, in particular, provides MatchPoints 2025 with insights into public-private partnerships and the commercialization of advanced technologies.
Majumdar’s background includes roles at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he focused on energy efficiency and environmental technologies, and advisory positions with Google.org’s energy strategy. Through his work, Majumdar has championed the "four-zero climate solution," targeting zero emissions across sectors, which aligns closely with the goals of MatchPoints 2025 to catalyze global impact through local innovation. His extensive experience in bridging academia, policy, and industry equips him to be an influential voice in discussions on accelerating sustainable
Abstract:
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Read more about Dr. Arun Majumdar here
Connie Hedegaard
Former EU Commissioner for Climate Action
Bio:
Connie Hedegaard is a leading figure in climate policy and sustainability with extensive experience that will bring invaluable insights to MatchPoints 2025. As the EU’s first Commissioner for Climate Action (2010-2014), she led efforts to position the EU as a global climate leader through transformative CO₂ reduction policies.
Currently, she chairs the OECD’s Round Table on Sustainable Development, where she advances cross-sector dialogues on sustainable growth.
Until 2023, Hedegaard served as Chair of Denmark’s largest green think tank, Concito, where she played a key role in expanding its impact on climate research and public engagement; she continues to contribute as an advisor on EU green transition policies.
She also served as Chair of Aarhus University’s Board of Directors until November 2022, a role in which she strengthened the university’s contributions to climate research and sustainability education. This academic leadership experience aligns with MatchPoints 2025’s goal of connecting local innovation with global climate impact.
Her extensive background, including her role as Denmark’s Minister for Climate and Environment, equips her to bridge policy, research, and practical solutions, making her a pivotal voice in the conference’s mission to accelerate green transformation.
Abstract:
Will follow.