Taylor Nelson, Author at Taylor Scott Nelson

Building the Future of Texas’ Space Workforce

October 9, 2025 No Comments

This month’s Ecosystem Space meetup at Capital Factory once again highlighted why the Austin Metro is quickly becoming a hub for space innovation. The energy in the room was both inspiring and pragmatic — a mix of engineers, educators, entrepreneurs, and advocates all united around a central challenge: how do we grow and sustain the space workforce in Texas?

The event topic centered on Space Workforce Development, which brought together thought leaders and innovators who understand that the future of the space industry relies not only on rockets and research, but on people and skilled trades. The discussion focused on identifying the STEM and trade skills that “Big Space” companies and agile startups alike need to thrive, and how Texas can position itself as a leader in developing that talent.

General, Professional, Texas

3D Printing, EV Retrofits, and Climate Conversations: A Night with Austin’s Green Leaders

October 7, 2025 No Comments

I had the chance to attend my very first Austin Sustainability Professionals event, and it was everything I hoped for and more.

What makes this group special is that it isn’t an organization you’ll find on a website or social media. It’s more of a word-of-mouth community — a grassroots, invite-only network of people across industries who are advancing sustainability in Central Texas. From climatetech founders to corporate sustainability leads, from nonprofit advocates to circular economy innovators, this group is full of changemakers doing real, on-the-ground work to build a more sustainable world (here in Austin).

General, Professional, Texas

(Un)Employment in the Age of AI: Reflections of an AI Optimist

October 6, 2025 No Comments

I went to the Capital Factory in downtown Austin for a thought-provoking keynote titled “(Un)employment in the Age of AI.” Part of The Age of AI series — a monthly event known for sparking deep conversations and big questions — this talk by Oliver Emberton explored how artificial intelligence is transforming the very meaning of work.

The premise was bold yet disarmingly simple: AI isn’t here to take your job — it’s here to take everyone’s jobs. But rather than deliver a doomsday narrative, Emberton offered a surprisingly optimistic vision of how automation and intelligence could reshape society for the better, if we choose to guide it responsibly.

General, Professional, Texas

2025 Mitchell Sustainability Symposium: A Day of Learning, Connection, and Inspiration

October 2, 2025 No Comments

The University of Texas at Austin hosted the 2025 Mitchell Sustainability Symposium at the William C. Powers Student Activity Center. This event brought together faculty, students, sustainability experts, and community members to examine the state of sustainability on campus and explore its broader impact on education, research, and community engagement.

With a packed agenda from morning networking to student lightning talks, the symposium showcased the university’s role as both an innovator and facilitator in the sustainability space. Below is an overview of the key sessions and highlights.

General, Professional, Texas

Conservation on Screen: Highlights from the Wild & Scenic Film Festival

September 25, 2025 No Comments

I had the chance to immerse myself in an evening of films that were as inspiring as they were sobering. The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is built around one clear purpose: to use the power of film to spark a deeper connection with nature and inspire action for a healthier planet.

What struck me most was how the six short films, though set in different parts of the world, all carried threads that tied back to Texas and the challenges we face here. From questions of land use and public access to concerns about water, waste management and plastics, biodiversity concerns, and urban development hurdles, the stories felt universal yet deeply personal.

Local Climate Solutions: Biodiversity & Forest Conservation in the Sierra Gorda

The festival opened with a story from Mexico’s Sierra Gorda, where one family’s decades-long mission has blossomed into a community-led model for forestry conservation against local industrial emissions. This film reminded me how education and science can drive measurable regeneration while also creating economic opportunities for people living directly with the land.

Key Takeaway: A community-led model shows how science, education, and economic innovation can regenerate ecosystems while supporting local livelihoods.

General, Professional, Texas

Cracking the FOAK Code: Scaling Climate Tech from Concept to Reality

September 4, 2025 No Comments

On September 4th, I had the opportunity to attend Austin Climate Hub’s first event of the fall season: “Challenges and Emerging Solutions to Scaling First-of-a-Kind Energy Technologies.” Held at The Sunset Room in downtown Austin, the event brought together an all-star panel of investors, financiers, and cleantech leaders to tackle one of the most persistent challenges in the climate innovation space—how to get bold new ideas off the ground and into the real world.

The evening was packed with insights, networking, and conversations around the nuances of funding and scaling first-of-a-kind (FOAK) energy technologies. These are the game-changing projects that, while promising, often get stuck between R&D and real-world execution. So what’s holding them back and how do we move them forward?