For 20 years, Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability has pursued the “quest for yes”— bringing people together across differences, grounding big ideas in evidence and co-creating durable solutions to environmental and energy challenges.
On Oct. 23, the Nicholas Institute welcomed students, scholars, alumni and partners in the community to an anniversary celebration that blended reflection with forward momentum.
“As Duke begins our second century, the Nicholas Institute embodies our core mission and our defining characteristics. Like Duke overall, the institute is outrageously ambitious … building purposeful partnerships and connecting people across disciplines to develop robust solutions to complex challenges. The institute staff, scholars and students are optimists who are working every angle to create a better future as we look for yes—together.”
Duke University President Vincent Price
Duke University President Vincent Price
“The world we inhabit is complicated, sometimes even confusing or discouraging, but it's also filled with opportunities for positive change. That's where the ‘quest for yes’ comes in. It's about bridging divides between academic disciplines, economic sectors, geographies and even political perspectives to co-create solutions that last.”
Brian Murray, director, Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability
Brian Murray, director, Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability
Leadership Lessons
The event featured a candid conversation between two former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrators and Toddi Steelman, Duke’s vice president and vice provost for climate and sustainability, about how to advance environmental progress.
William Reilly, the founding and current chair of the Nicholas Institute’s Board of Advisors, shepherded the landmark 1990 Clean Air Act amendments through Congress while serving under President George H.W. Bush.
“I really believe—and I hope the country doesn't forget—that the environment is one of the two great successes of social policy in the post-war period, the other being Social Security. I try to remember how bad things were [when the EPA was created], but more important, what our expectations were, whether we genuinely expected that this set of government policies would work to the degree to task. People who remember what the cities were like, what the rivers were like and how they were catching fire and all the rest, really need to take pride in that [progress]. And I hope that's a source of increasing commitment.”
former EPA Administrator William Reilly on environmental progress in the United States
former EPA Administrator William Reilly on environmental progress in the United States
Michael Regan, currently a Polis Distinguished Fellow at the Sanford School of Public Policy, oversaw historic investments in climate and in environmental justice during his tenure in President Joe Biden’s administration.
“There's a saying, ‘It's hard to hit up close.’ When people know you and you know them, you can sit down and have reasonable conversations to, not necessarily solve the problem, but at least lower the temperature. … The human element—meeting people where they are, having conversations, learning about one another as human beings—is not overrated.”
former EPA Administrator Michael Regan on the importance of building relationships
former EPA Administrator Michael Regan on the importance of building relationships
Bold New Ideas
In a pair of conversations, Nicholas Institute experts and key partners shared fresh, evidence-driven strategies being developed for urgent challenges.
Kathie Dello (N.C. Department of Environmental Quality) joined Ashley Ward (Duke’s Heat Policy Innovation Hub) to talk about how North Carolina is working with communities to make them more resilient to extreme heat and catastrophic weather events.
“I recognize that science and data—what I do—is really important, and I bring that with me to my job. But just knowing your neighbor, the way that people came together [after Hurricane Helene], is also really special. So I bring those two values to my world.”
Kathie Dello, assistant secretary for resilience, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, on how she approaches her role
Kathie Dello, assistant secretary for resilience, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, on how she approaches her role
Tim Profeta (Nicholas Institute) and Tyler Norris (Nicholas School of the Environment) revealed the ongoing impact of their work to find approaches for sustainably meeting surging electricity demand from AI and other technologies.
“[This project] speaks to the special sauce of the Nicholas Institute that we’re all so fortunate to work with. It has roots in ongoing and iterative conversations with people outside the academy in the policymaking world. It leveraged relationships around campus to bring Duke’s expertise and prowess to these questions. It produces quick and timely information to influence that debate and then continue the conversation.”
Tim Profeta, executive in residence and founding director, Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability, on the institute’s work with Duke partners on electricity load growth
Tim Profeta, executive in residence and founding director, Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability, on the institute’s work with Duke partners on electricity load growth
Up Next
The event wrapped up with lightning talks from three Duke students who are already leading on energy and environmental issues.
Tyler Ratcliffe B.S. ‘26 shared his journey from a freshman struggling to understand the energy value chain to a senior who helped create new educational opportunities for students interested in energy and climate ventures.
“One of the amazing things about the institute is its ability to … be with [students] every step of the way—from taking our first steps in the classroom to attending events, joining clubs, taking on leadership roles and eventually, we have the interest in giving back through programs, research and initiatives of our own. This sense of ownership, of agency is, to me, more valuable than knowledge on its own and is unique among the energy programs that I've seen at other schools.”
Tyler Ratcliffe B.S. ‘26
Tyler Ratcliffe B.S. ‘26
Camille Harley M.P.P. ‘26 talked about her work with the Heat Policy Innovation Hub to survey the landscape of state legislation addressing extreme heat.
“I want to recognize that the challenge of extreme heat is daunting, but one of the most important things I learned from the Heat Hub and the Nicholas Institute is that a good first step forward is starting conversations and listening to people around you. ... I'm very happy that the Nicholas Institute's commitment to asking questions is rubbing off on me.”
Camille Harley M.P.P. ‘26
Camille Harley M.P.P. ‘26
Ryan McCord Ph.D. ‘26 told the story of how her research with the James E. Rogers Energy Access Project at Duke is filling data gaps to better inform policymaking on healthcare facilities' access to reliable power in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to see my research move from stories all the way to action and, hopefully soon, into meaningful change. It's precisely this comprehensive approach that is a focus of the Energy Access Project and the Nicholas Institute more broadly that I hope to take into my future research career.”
Ryan McCord Ph.D. ‘26
Ryan McCord Ph.D. ‘26
Thank You for Coming!
