The Program
Environmental problems are governed through institutions that differ sharply across scales, from community rules governing fisheries and forests to national regulatory and fiscal policy to global treaties. From April 10-11, this program, led by Luke Sanford, Assistant Professor of Environmental Policy and Governance at the Yale School of the Environment, introduces a case-based analytic approach centered on actors, incentives, and information. Participants will gain practical tools to diagnose why policies emerge, how they are implemented, and when they succeed or fail.
01：Local Governance: Commons Dilemmas, Legitimacy, and Enforcement
Case comparison: Seri fishery vs. Galápagos marine enforcement
02：National Policymaking: State Capacity, Incentives, and Policy Durability
Case comparison: China’s air-pollution control vs. the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act
03：International Governance: Treaty Design under Domestic Constraints
Case comparison: Kyoto Protocol vs. Montreal Protocol
The speaker
Luke Sanford
Assistant Professor of Environmental Policy and Governance, Yale School of the Environment
Luke Sanford received his PhD in Political Science and International Affairs in 2021 from the University of California San Diego. His research focuses on environmental policymaking–especially how political institutions mediate the relationship between the environmental preferences of constituents and the incentives and actions of policymakers. In his work, Sanford develops methods for using new sources of digital data, including text and satellite images, to measure individual and group preferences, and to observe outcomes on the ground. These tools enable him to understand preferences for different policies, and evaluate the effects of those policies.
Date & Time
China Standard Time:
Friday, April 10, 2026
19:00-20:30
Saturday, April 11, 2026
10:00-11:30, 13:30-15:00
Eastern Standard Time:
Friday, April 10, 2026
7:00-8:30, 22:00-23:30
Saturday, April 11, 2026
1:30-3:00
The Format
The language of the program will be English.
Three 90-minute lecture and discussion (a total of 4.5 hours) in two days
Each participant will have an opportunity to submit a short video (2 to 5 minutes) in English. Yale Center Beijing will present a Most Substantive Award (1 Winner) and a Most Creative Award (1 Winner). The recipients will receive award certificates from Yale Center Beijing, and the winning entries will be published on Yale website and social media platforms.
* Those who attend all sessions will each receive a certificate of completion from Yale Center Beijing.
Online Participation
Early Bird (by March 15): RMB 1,688
Arbor Day Special Discount (by March 12): RMB 1,599
Yale alumni, participants of past Yale Center Beijing programs, and group registrations (at least three persons) special discount: RMB 1,299 per person
Standard Ticket: RMB 3,999
Online Participant Registration:
Click "Here" or scan the QR code below to register.
Participation Format
* Please download and install Zoom beforehand. Yale Center Beijing’s staff will contact confirmed participants for further testing in advance of the program to ensure a pleasant experience.
In-Person Participation
Early Bird (by March 15): RMB 2,488
Arbor Day Special Discount (by March 12): RMB 2,399
Yale alumni, participants of past Yale Center Beijing programs, and group registrations (at least three persons) special discount: RMB 2,299 per person
Standard Ticket: RMB 6,888
In-Person Participant Registration:
Click "Here" or scan the QR code below to register.
Location:
Yale Center Beijing
36th Floor
Tower B of IFC Building
8 Jianguomenwai Avenue
Chaoyang District, Beijing
(Yong'anli Subway Station, Exit C)
Recommended For
16 years old or older;
English language proficiency for meaningful participation during discussions;
One “fast take” response about why this program interests you (in English, 140 characters or under)
* Registration is subject to approval.
Contact
Please send an email to yalecenterbeijing@yale.edu, or reach out to the Yale Center Beijing Team for inquiries:
WeChat ID: Yalecenterbeijing
Cellphone: +86 13810559940
(Monday to Friday, 9:00-18:00 )
Public Event