Undergraduate Seminar

Climate & Energy Policy Seminar

Connect with researchers across campus, meet like-minded students, and engage with the Kleinman Center.

About the Seminar

Each year, the Kleinman Center hosts its undergraduate student fellows. This program is designed as a competitive and selective appointment for committed undergraduates. Admitted students are expected to attend 4-6 seminars over the course of the semester at the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy. These sessions provide students with the opportunity to meet and hear from energy researchers as they discuss the findings and policy implications of their recent research.

Please note, as of 2026-2027, the Undergraduate seminar will be offered in both the fall and spring semesters.

Apply to the Undergraduate Climate & Energy Policy Student Seminar

Applications for the Undergraduate Climate & Energy Policy Student Seminar are now open. Students should apply using this form.

Students may apply using the online application form. Required materials include:

  • A current resume
  • A copy of your unofficial transcript
  • Responses to brief short-answer questions
Apply Now

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the final deadline to apply is August 28.

Seminar Topics

Lectures and discussions cover a wide range of energy and climate topics, including:

  • Climate Science and the Carbon Cycle
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Energy Markets
  • Environmental Justice
  • Environmental Law and Regulation
  • Environmental Risk Management
  • Renewable Energy and Storage
  • Transportation and Urban Planning

Note: Seminar discussions are designed to challenge students to think critically. Students need not have expertise on these topics.

2026 Fall Seminar Speakers

This fall’s seminar series will include presentations from:

  • Heather Boushey
  • Carolyn Kousky
  • Leslie Labruto
  • Nora Todd
  • Jamie van Nostrand
  • And other energy and climate policy experts

Student Opportunities 

Student fellows selected for this seminar have many unique opportunities for both academic and professional development.

Networking. Admitted students learn from many of Penn’s top energy researchers—engaging and networking with presenters and student fellows.

Publishing. Students will have the opportunity to submit blog posts to be published on the Kleinman Center website and shared with our growing community of students, faculty, policymakers, and industry experts.

Career Building. This program is an excellent career-building opportunity, helping student fellows develop a deep understanding of energy and climate policy topics. As official members of the Kleinman Center community, student fellows receive a number of ancillary benefits such as occasional opportunities to meet visiting scholars and speakers, advanced notice of Kleinman Center events, and the professional benefits of having an official association with a globally respected energy policy center.

Student Commitments

The Fall 2026 seminar will be held for the entirety of the semester with a total of five or six seminar sessions. These sessions are on Wednesdays from 12PM to 1PM. Accepted student fellows are expected to attend the seminar sessions. Students must notify Arwen Kozak of any unavoidable absence in advance of the seminar. Students with two or more unexcused absences will be dismissed from the program.

In addition to attending seminar discussions, each student fellow is invited to submit a blog post (~600 words) on an energy or climate topic of their choice by the end of the semester. Student fellows then work with the Kleinman center’s editorial and communications team to publish their blog on the Kleinman Center website.

Applicants do not need to be pursuing a degree related to energy or climate policy and science. 

Publication Highlights

Past Blog Posts

Explore insights on a variety of topics from our Undergraduate Seminar Fellows.

Read Student Blog Posts

Fall 2026 Fellows

Tanisha Agrawal

Undergraduate Seminar Fellow
Tanisha Agrawal is an undergraduate student with interests in international relations, economics, energy interdependence and conflict resolution. Agrawal is also a Fall 2026 Undergraduate Student Fellow.

Mia Bouyoucef

Undergraduate Seminar Fellow
Mia Bouyoucef is a second-year in the Huntsman Program, concentrating in finance at Wharton and international studies in the College of Arts and Sciences. Bouyoucef is also a Fall 2026 Undergraduate Student Fellow.

Patrick Bullock

Undergraduate Seminar Fellow
Patrick Bullock is a junior in the Vagelos Program in Energy Research, pursuing degrees in materials science and engineering and mathematics. Bullock is also a Fall 2026 Undergraduate Student Fellow.

Avery Chen

Undergraduate Seminar Fellow
Avery Chen is a senior from San Francisco, California pursuing an uncoordinated dual degree in finance and environmental studies. Chen is also a Fall 2026 Undergraduate Student Fellow.

Faruk Ecirli

Undergraduate Seminar Fellow
Faruk Ecirli is a senior in the Huntsman Program studying finance and Russian. Ecirli is also a Fall 2026 Undergraduate Student Fellow.

Irem Eroglu

Undergraduate Seminar Fellow
Irem Eroglu is a second-year student in the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research, studying electrical engineering and environmental science. Eroglu is also a Fall 2026 Undergraduate Student Fellow.

Veronica Guo

Undergraduate Seminar Fellow
Veronica Guo is an undergraduate student in the management and technology program studying materials science and engineering and marketing and operations management. Guo is also a Fall 2026 Undergraduate Student Fellow and a research assistant.

Avi Gupta

Undergraduate Seminar Fellow
Avi Gupta is a sophomore pursuing a dual degree in finance and environmental anthropology. Gupta is also a Fall 2026 Undergraduate Student Fellow.

Ayaan Jeraj

Undergraduate Seminar Fellow
Ayaan Jeraj is a third-year student in the Huntsman Program in international studies and business, studying finance, business analytics, and francophone studies. Jeraj is also a Fall 2026 Undergraduate Student Fellow and a research assistant.

Molly Lang

Undergraduate Seminar Fellow
Molly Lang is a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences studying international relations. Lang is also a Fall 2026 Undergraduate Student Fellow.

Lucy Markus

Undergraduate Seminar Fellow
Lucy Markus is a second-year in the College of Arts and Sciences studying economics & sustainability and environmental management. Markus is also a Fall 2026 Undergraduate Student Fellow.

Nicole Patel

Undergraduate Seminar Fellow
Nicole Patel is an undergraduate student studying philosophy, politics, and economics with a minor in data science. Patel is also a Fall 2026 Undergraduate Student Fellow.

Milan Stocker

Undergraduate Seminar Fellow
Milan Stocker is a second-year student in the Huntsman Program studying business and international studies with concentrations in finance and Spanish. Stocker is also a Fall 2026 Undergraduate Student Fellow.

Ali Altan Yilmaz

Undergraduate Seminar Fellow
Ali Altan Yilmaz is a sophomore international student from Turkey studying materials science & engineering and physics in the VIPER program. He is also a Fall 2026 Undergraduate Student Fellow.