This past spring, P-GraSC launched a Coffee Chat matching program for graduate students and postdocs to help foster one-on-one conversations, build a stronger sense of PCC community, and encourage climate-focused collaboration across the natural and social sciences. 

Despite shared interests in broader climate-related questions, many grad students and postdocs rarely have opportunities for informal conversations outside the academic and social circles of their department. Building off the momentum of PCC Third Thursdays, this program sought to match students across departments and career stages with shared research interests. 

Sixteen pairs of students from thirteen different departments ranging from the Information School to the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs to the Civil Engineering Department met up this past spring for hour-long conversations at coffee shops across UW’s campus. 

Conversations ranged from the role of AI in science communication to navigating uncertainty in the current climate science funding landscape to sharing experiences and stories from fieldwork across disciplines. One student, paired with a postdoc, appreciated the intergenerational transfer of knowledge in learning about the postdoc’s experience on the job market. 

For many participants, these conversations were an opportunity to connect with people they otherwise wouldn’t have met. As Angel Chui, a graduate student in the Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science, describes, “PCC Coffee Chats was super fun because I got to meet someone with similar hobbies and interests and also learn about the impactful research she works on in our community that is outside of my own expertise. I’m really glad I got to make a new friend!” 

For others, it was an opportunity to step outside their disciplinary comfort zones. “PCC offers such amazing opportunities to meet people from all different disciplines at UW and yet I am extremely guilty of sticking by my own department at PCC events,” said Lucy Helms, a graduate student in Earth and Space Sciences. “Getting coffee with Stella a few weeks ago was a low stakes way to get connected with someone outside of my Earth Science bubble and talk about more than just our shared research interests. I really enjoyed it and I’m glad the PCC grad students coordinated this!” 

Small, informal conversations such as these help build the foundation for an interdisciplinary climate community that supports collaboration, mentorship and connection across UW. Thank you to all the graduate students and postdocs who participated in our inaugural year of PCC Coffee Chats. We’re excited to continue growing the program and fostering cross-department and cross-generational connections in the future.

Written by Sophia Ludtke, ESS graduate student and P-GraSC member