2025 Application Period Closed
Thank you for your interest. Please contact us with any questions.
Duke University’s U.N. Climate Change Negotiations Practicum is a hands-on course that explores international climate change negotiations and climate policy under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
This course provides students with an opportunity to develop a comprehensive understanding of the issues at the heart of global climate change — from adaptation and mitigation to the political dynamics of the UNFCCC negotiations process. Students engage in independent coursework, classroom discussions, and guest lectures throughout the semester, all in preparation for the annual U.N. climate change negotiations: the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP). See the 2024 Syllabus.
In the past, students have had the opportunity to attend COP. We will seek to travel to COP30 in Belém, Brazil in 2025. Please note that the opportunity for course travel is subject to change based on Duke’s international travel policies and the availability of funding.
The Fall 2025 Practicum
The UNFCCC Practicum (ENVIRON 592/PUBPOL 592) will be offered during the Fall 2025 Semester. Participation is open to graduate and upper-level undergraduate students at Duke University for 3 units and 1 unit, respectively. The instructor for the course is Dr. Jackson Ewing.
For questions, please contact Gabriela Nagle Alverio (gen4@duke.edu) and Colleen Nieto (colleen.nieto@duke.edu).
Practicum Information Session
The 2025 application period has closed, but students interested in taking a future practicum course are invited to watch a Zoom information session recorded Friday, April 25, and join the Nicholas Institute email list for further updates.
Course Archives
View a photo essay about the Duke experience at COP 29 in 2024. You can also take a look at archived student profiles and archived blog posts from previous delegations.