W&L Presents Author and Climate Scientist Michael Mann The Presidential Distinguished Professor of Earth and Environmental Science from the University of Pennsylvania will discuss his new book, “Science Under Siege,” on March 4.

By Lily Caldwell
February 18, 2026

Washington and Lee University will host Michael Mann, Presidential Distinguished Professor of Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Pennsylvania, at 5:30 p.m. on March 4 in Stackhouse Theater.

The event is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by W&L’s Earth and Environmental Geoscience Department, Environmental Studies Department, Biology Department, Physics and Engineering Department, the Climate Alliance, the Office of the Dean of the College, the Roger Mudd Center for Ethics, the Office of Sustainability, the Center for International Education, University Lectures, the Student Environmental Action League and the University Sustainability Committee.

Mann will be introduced by Lisa Greer, Harry E. and Mary Jayne W. Redenbaugh Term Professor of Earth and Environmental Geoscience, and his discussion will be followed by a question-and-answer session and book signing.

“I have long admired Michael Mann as one of the best known and most accomplished climate scientists, activists and authors I know of,” said Greer. “He is a fierce advocate for understanding and communicating about climate change. It is a tremendous honor and opportunity to host him here at W&L.”

Mann will discuss themes from his new book, “Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces that Threaten Our World,” which was co-authored with Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. The book explores the five main forces threatening science in a world where the health of our people and planet is following an unstable path. Mann empowers readers to promote scientific truth and tackle the political and ideological threats to science by conveying accurate, reliable and trustworthy information about science.

“His books directly address the challenges scientists and society face in addressing the climate crisis,” said Greer. “They highlight, in great detail, the challenges we face but also the paths we could take to mitigate the worst that human-caused climate change has to offer.”

Mann currently serves as the director of the Penn Center for Science, Sustainability, and the Media and was formerly the University of Pennsylvania’s inaugural vice provost for climate science, policy and action. His research interests include the study of Earth’s climate system and the science, impacts and policy implications of human-caused climate change. He is the co-founder of the award-winning science website RealClimate. Mann earned a Bachelor of Science in physics and applied math from the University of California, Berkeley and both a Master of Science in physics and a Ph.D. in geology and geophysics from Yale University.