Our vision is a world where all people thrive in the face of extreme heat.

The Arizona Institute for Resilience's Heat Resilience Initiative addresses the global challenge of extreme heat through research, education, and engagement. The initiative supports and leverages heat research efforts across departments and disciplines at the University of Arizona, including the DOE-funded Southwest Urban Corridor Integrated Field Laboratory (SW-IFL), the NIHHIS-funded Center for Heat Resilient Communities, the NOAA-funded Climate Assessment for the Southwest (CLIMAS) rural heat resilience component, the CDC-funded Building Resilience Against Climate Effects (BRACE), the NIH-funded Southwest Center on Resilience for Climate Change and Health (SCORCH). 

The initiative also works to develop future collaborative heat resilience research proposals with partners across the U of A campus, and provides undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students interested in the rapidly growing area of heat practice and scholarship with a dedicated space for learning about faculty, degrees, courses, and training opportunities at the university. Finally, the AIR Heat Resilience Initiative works with community partners and decisionmakers in Arizona, across the United States, and beyond to address extreme heat challenges.

Media Advisory: U of A experts from range of disciplines available as Arizona heat season arrives early

Opportunities

U of A Upperclassmen, Explore Innovations in Heat Planning, Policy and Governance

Applications are now open for the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy’s fourth annual Mo’s Policy Scholars student mentoring program! Heat Resilience Director Ladd Keith is accepting student scholars for the fall semester. As a Project Assistant under Dr. Keith, you will have the unique opportunity to explore the emerging area of heat policy and governance through work with an interdisciplinary research team on a variety of research projects and other engagement opportunities that reach stakeholders at the local, national, and international levels.

Applications are due Monday, March 30th, 2026 at 11:59 PM.

Find details and a link to the application here.

Those selected to participate as Mo’s Policy Scholars will be paired with an expert mentor working on research in the area of environmental policy and/or Indigenous governance. Students who complete the program will receive a $1500 stipend.

Not only is this a great opportunity to work with and learn from an experienced research professional, Mo’s Policy Scholars is perfect for those that have not had previous research experience and want to explore public policy!