Polsky Energy Transition Leadership Academy

The Polsky Energy Transition Leadership Academy is a pioneering program at the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth that equips the next generation of energy innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders with the tools they need to balance the urgent need to manage the climate with society's need for inexpensive and reliable energy. It does so through a unique focus on experiential learning, career development, and global experiences. 

The Polsky Academy allows students to learn about the global energy transition by experiencing its complexities for themselves and taking a hands-on approach to developing solutions, while fostering opportunities to engage with a network of policymakers, innovators and industry leaders through events, treks and energy summits. It will draw students from across the University of Chicago, with a special focus on cultivating Polsky Scholars. These scholars are chosen through a competitive process for their prior experience and demonstrated commitment to the energy transition, clean technology or sustainability careers. The Booth School of Business is a a key partner of the Polsky Academy through the Polsky Energy Transition Leadership Program.  

The Polsky Academy’s work may grow and evolve over time. Below are initial activities that it supports.

Experiential Learning

The Polsky Academy supports an experiential learning course offered for undergraduate majors during a September term that takes students to locations pivotal to understanding the global nature of the climate and sustainable growth challenge.
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Career Development

The Polsky Academy supports real-world learning experiences and mentorship opportunities through internships in a variety of fields, as well as research assistantships that teach students the research process while expanding their understanding of the energy transition.
Undergraduate Research Program Internship Program

Global Experiences

The Polsky Academy supports opportunities for students to connect with global stakeholders through participation in treks and major energy gatherings like COP, CERA Week and the Clean Energy Ministerial.
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