Portland State University
Vivek Shandas
- 2026
- Speaker
- Engage
Vivek Shandas is an educator, researcher, entrepreneur, and Professor of Geography at Portland State University. For over 20 years, he has advanced climate adaptation, environmental justice, urban heat, air quality, and public health through research and policy. He has published 100+ scientific papers and five books, founded CAPA Strategies, serves on U.S. national advisory bodies, and is internationally recognized for advancing equitable climate resilience and action.
Breaking the Wall of Invisible Heat Risk:
Vivek Shandas | Project: Heat Science for All | Falling Walls Engage Finalist 2026
Heat Science for All (HS4A) mobilizes residents as community scientists to map street-level heat, humidity, and air quality in 130+ regions worldwide. By combining citizen science with spatial analytics, it has generated millions of high-resolution data points that reveal hidden heat inequities and inform urban cooling strategies, forestry efforts, public health initiatives, and emergency planning. HS4A empowers communities to drive equitable, data-informed climate adaptation.
