Resilience as Resistance

March 19–20, 2026

Resilience is no longer just about bouncing back. In a time of compounding climate crises, widening inequities, and institutional fragility, resilience must become resistance—an active reimagining of the systems that shape our built environment and our collective futures.

The Resilience as Resistance Symposium convenes designers, scholars, policymakers, community leaders, and researchers for two days of critical dialogue and practical action. Together, we will explore how climate adaptation, environmental justice, public memory, and post-disaster recovery intersect—and how architects and allied professionals can protect public health, safety, and welfare while advancing equity.

This symposium is hosted by the J.E.D.I. Committee in partnership with Washington University Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts (SDJE). As part of our commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within architecture and design, this gathering reflects our belief that resilience must be holistic—environmental and social, technical and cultural, structural and human. Through collaboration across disciplines and communities, we aim to expand the role of design in shaping more just and durable futures.

Join us for one or all the sessions! We look forward to hosting these speakers and conversations with everyone.

Schedule Overview

Thursday, March 19, 2026

6:00PM Reception + Drinks
6:30PM Keynote Provocation

Public Memory as Resilience
Architect and artist Jha D Amazi (Principal, MASS Design Group) opens the symposium with a powerful exploration of public memory, representation, and memorial landscapes as acts of cultural resilience. Through nationally recognized projects, she challenges architects to consider how public space can honor histories, foster healing, and strengthen civic identity.

Friday, March 20, 2026

9 AM - Session 1: What Raincoat Do We Even Need? - 1.5 LU|HSW
A cross-disciplinary panel examines how cities and regions are preparing for overlapping climate threats—from coastal adaptation to wildfire recovery. Panelists explore adaptive design, policy reform, and community-based strategies that address cascading environmental risks.

10:45 AM - Session 2: Who Has the Right to Resilience? - 1.5 LU|HSW
This session reframes resilience as a right rather than a privilege. Panelists investigate how systemic inequities shape vulnerability and highlight grassroots, culturally rooted practices that build collective capacity and advance environmental justice.

12:15 PM – Lunch provided to attendees

1:30 PM - Session 3: Ten Months Later — Tornado Recovery in St. Louis - 1.5 LU|HSW
Reflecting on the aftermath of an EF3 tornado that cut a 21-mile path through St. Louis, community leaders, researchers, and response teams share insights on housing stability, environmental risk, canopy loss, and long-term recovery. The conversation centers equitable rebuilding and what a resilient city for all could truly mean.

3:00 PM - Wrap-Up Roundtable: What If We Get It Right? - 1.00 LU|HSW
A facilitated, big-circle discussion synthesizes lessons from the symposium and turns dialogue into action. Participants identify next steps, professional commitments, and collaborative strategies to advance resilience as resistance within practice and policy.

Why Attend?

As part of the J.E.D.I. community, we believe design is never neutral. It shapes who is protected, who is remembered, and who is afforded opportunity. This symposium invites you to join us in expanding the role of architecture beyond technical solutions toward transformative leadership—where resilience is equitable, collective, and inseparable from justice.

Use the button above to register for any or all of the sessions.