World-renowned climate scientist and “climate communicator”, Professor Katharine Hayhoe will deliver the prestigious “2026 McCosh Lecture” on 6th May at 2:30 pm in the Canada Room and Council Chamber (Lanyon Building, QUB).
Professor Hayhoe, Chief Scientist for The Nature Conservancy, is a global authority on climate change known for her unique ability to bridge the gap between science and faith. Her recent work has focused heavily on the power of conversation to catalyse climate action. As she famously noted in her influential TED Talk, “The most important thing you can do to fight climate change: talk about it”.
The Culmination of a Landmark Series
This high-profile event serves as the grand finale to the Religious Studies Research Forum’s (RSRF) 2025-26 series, “Religion and Climate Change”, chaired by Dr Diarmuid Finnegan. The series has hosted a diverse array of global experts exploring the intersection of spirituality and environmental stewardship, including:
Dr. Jesse Preston on the psychology of religion and the environment.
Dr. Tristan Sturm on apocalyptic conspiracism.
Dr. Joram Tarusarira on sacred worldviews in Africa.
Dr. Bethany Sollereder on “A Theology of Climate Failure”.
Building on a Momentum of Sustainability
The McCosh Lecture arrives as a cornerstone of Queen’s University’s intensifying sustainability efforts. It follows the university’s recent REACH Festival and follows a significant collaboration between the Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action (SECA) and Join the Dots Together. This partnership recently hosted the “An Economy of Enough” Earth Day event, which featured a powerful keynote by Dr. Lorna Gold of the Laudato Si’ Movement on creating a more just, sustainable locally-rooted economy.
Professor Hayhoe’s lecture will further cement these initiatives, providing a scientific and moral compass for the university community and the wider public as they navigate the ecological challenges of the 21st century.
Event Details:
Date: 6th May 2026
Time: 2:30 pm
Location: Canada Room/Council Chamber, Queen’s University Belfast
About the Speaker
Katharine Hayhoe is an atmospheric scientist whose research focuses on understanding what climate change means for people and the places where we live. She is a Paul Whitfield Horn Distinguished Professor at Texas Tech University and has been named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People.