Exploring Sustainability at the Heart of Digital Infrastructure:

The Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems (BBISS) is excited to announce the Spring 2026 Insights Series, a three-part virtual panel discussion under the theme “Demystifying Data Centers.” This series is designed for Georgia Tech faculty interested in exploring research opportunities and needs in the rapidly growing world of data centers — through the lens of sustainability.

Data centers are critical infrastructure powering our digital lives, but their rapid growth brings complex sustainability challenges. From energy consumption and water usage, to community impacts — understanding these tradeoffs is essential for shaping a resilient and responsible future.

Our goal is to help Georgia Tech researchers — especially those unfamiliar with this topic — discover how their expertise can align with emerging research opportunities in this space. This series will foster interdisciplinary collaboration and spark ideas for innovative solutions.

Three Virtual Panels/Webinars:
Each month, February through April, we’ll host a deep dive into one key dimension of data center sustainability. Each webinar will be 60-90 minutes with 3-5 short talks, followed by discussion and Q&A.

  •  Energy – February 25, 2026 at 12:30 -2 PM
  •  Water – March
  •  Communities – April

In-Person Ideation & Teaming Workshops
Following each webinar, on a separate date, BBISS will convene in-person workshops to bring interested researchers together for brainstorming, collaboration, and potential proposal development based on that month's webinar topic.

Benefits for Participants
  •  Gain insight into cutting-edge sustainability issues related to data centers.
  •  Explore how your expertise connects to emerging research challenges.
  •  Network with peers and form interdisciplinary teams for future projects.

Stay Tuned:
Details on dates, speakers, and registration will be shared soon. This series is your opportunity to learn, connect, and contribute to innovative solutions at the intersection of data centers and sustainability.

For questions, please contact Ameet Pinto or Kristin Janacek.