Sustainability on Tap Series

Hosted by the Sustainability Research Initiative (SRI), Sustainability on Tap is a monthly conversation series that brings groundbreaking sustainability research out of the classroom and into the community.Ìý

Designed to feel like a true conversation—thought-provoking, accessible and grounded—the Sustainability on Tap series provides a welcoming space for dialogue, curiosity and connection between campus experts and the broader Boulder community. Each month, we feature two Â鶹ÊÓƵ researchers who will speak to what their works means in the context of our day to day lives. Our sustainability researchers represent diverse fields, from Cinema Studies and Moving Image Arts to Engineering.Ìý

Boulder, Colorado is a unique place with sustainability at its heart; our goal is to show the community and each other what work is being done in our own backyards to support this effort.Ìý

Enjoy an informal evening of discussion over drinks, where you can engage directly with the people leading meaningful sustainability work at Â鶹ÊÓƵ and beyond. Whether you are deeply immersed in research or simply curious about the future of our planet, come spark a new connection.

Upcoming Sustainability on Tap Events

Previous Speakers

March 2026

Carmen Pacheco: A former petroleum engineer turned entrepreneur, Carmen applies engineering to the science of specialty foods such as chocolate. Her work focuses on sustainable supply chains and the "Design of Coffee."Ìý

Jeffrey York: An expert in "environmental entrepreneurship," Jeff researches how new ventures can simultaneously create economic value and solve ecological challenges.

Carmen Pacheco speaks at Sustainability on Tap

February 2026

Dr. Eldy Lázaro: A designer, Postdoctoral Researcher at IO Lab at the University of California Davis, and Research Affiliate at Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s ATLAS Institute. Eldy explores the intersection of biodesign and technology, specifically researching the intersection of biomaterials, smart textiles and tangible interfaces.Ìý

Dr. Virginia Iglesias: A research scientist at Earth Lab. Virginia focuses on the "big picture" of environmental change, specifically how climate variability impacts our social and environmental systems.

A speaker at a February SOT event

January 2026

Our inaugural event featured Sarah Gonzalez Coffin, a graduate student in Social Psychology in Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, alongside Erin Espelie, Associate Professor of Cinema Studies & Moving Image Arts at Â鶹ÊÓƵ and SRI advisor.Ìý

Sarah Gonzalez Coffin studies how perceptions of naturalness, risk and familiarity shape public support for sustainable technologies. Her work aims to better understand psychological barriers to climate action and to inform policymakers, innovators and communicators.Ìý

Erin Espelie is a writer, editor, and filmmaker whose work intersects environmental research, science, and culture. She co-directs Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s NEST Studio (Nature, Environment, Science & Technology) and has shown films and installations nationally and internationally, exploring environmental and scientific themes through visual storytelling.

A speaker at a January event

Research and expertise across CUÌýBoulder.

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the sponsored research at CUÌýBoulder.

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covering a broad range of topics.

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