By: Yessenia Torres
The Data Institute for Societal Challenges (DISC) at the University of Oklahoma hosted an interdisciplinary Energy Panel Seminar on December 3, 2025, bringing together over 40 leading experts from across campus for a virtual conversation on the future of energy. The one-hour online event featured faculty from Petroleum and Geological Engineering, Economics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Finance, and the Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (IPPRA), offering a comprehensive look at the technologies, policies, and economic forces shaping the global energy landscape.
Moderated by Dr. Andrés D. González, Associate Professor in the School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, DISC Faculty Fellow, and Affiliate Faculty in DSAI, the panel explored five key themes: the future of energy, emerging research frontiers, societal and policy considerations, market dynamics, and the evolving funding landscape.
Panelists included:
The event opened with a big-picture exploration of what the “future of energy” means from different disciplinary perspectives. Panelists pointed to trends in decarbonization, digital subsurface modeling, economic transformation, and electrification as major forces shaping the next decade of research.
During the discussion on research frontiers, speakers highlighted promising areas poised to transform energy systems, including renewable integration, grid modernization, data-driven modeling, and advanced financial mechanisms for accelerating innovation. Several panelists noted the continuing challenge of translating research breakthroughs into scalable, real-world solutions.
Societal and policy themes also took center stage, with emphasis on equitable energy access, workforce development, and the role of regulation in guiding responsible innovation. Panelists underscored that effective policy frameworks are critical to ensuring that technological advancements serve diverse communities.
Market dynamics—including carbon pricing, global supply shifts, and capital allocation—were identified as key factors influencing both research priorities and the pace of the energy transition. The panel also shared insights on the funding landscape, noting increasing opportunities across federal agencies, industry partnerships, and cross-sector collaborations.
Through this seminar, DISC highlighted the breadth of OU’s interdisciplinary expertise and reinforced the institute’s commitment to supporting research that addresses complex societal challenges. The event provided attendees with an engaging, forward-looking discussion on one of the most pressing issues of our time.
