Virginia Tech to host Times Higher Education Innovation & Impact Summit in Alexandria
Students conduct fieldwork in Roanoke as part of research led by Professors Cayelan Carey and Quinn Thomas, who direct the Virginia Tech Center for Ecosystem Forecasting. Carey and Thomas will present on advancing global drinking water security at the 2025 Times Higher Education Innovation & Impact Summit in Alexandria.
Virginia Tech will host the 2025 Times Higher Education Innovation & Impact Summit in November at the university’s new academic building in Alexandria, the first time this global event will take place in North America.
The Nov. 18-20 summit will bring together university leaders, government officials, and industry partners from around the world to explore the theme: “Securing tomorrow: Partnerships and technology for a resilient future.” The gathering will offer keynote addresses, interactive panels, live demonstrations, and hands-on workshops.
Held in partnership with Times Higher Education, the event will highlight the growing role of universities in driving global innovation and delivering impact through partnerships that support economic development, policy change, and the public good.
“At Virginia Tech we understand that security is essential for human advancement in technology, industry, and a global economy,” said President Tim Sands. “As a leader in research, policy, and workforce development, we forge partnerships to address these critical challenges. This summit brings together thought leaders from higher education and industry to foster the collaboration and innovation needed to ensure a secure future for all.”
Virginia Tech’s expertise in areas such as cybersecurity, national defense, climate resilience, and public policy, combined with the university’s growing presence in the greater Washington, D.C., area, make it a natural host for this international event.
Speakers from Virginia Tech include Sands, Executive Vice President and Provost Cyril Clarke, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean Mario Ferruzzi, Professor Cayelan Carey, Professor Lingjia Liu, Professor Quinn Thomas, Assistant Vice President for Research Security John Talerico, and Executive Director of the National Security Institute Eric Patterson.
The full summit agenda and registration information is available online.
