Mississippi UAS Symposium 2026 - Unleashing UAS for Crisis Response and Disaster Relief
Organized by the Center for Air and Space Law, and funded by a grant from the FAA's ASSURE: Center of Excellence for UAS Research, this one-day event will explore how drone technology can be effectively deployed during emergencies and natural disasters to save lives and provide critical assistance.
Symposium Information Guide
This Symposium Information Guide provides a clear, comprehensive overview of the Mississippi UAS Symposium.
The event will be held on Monday, March 2, 2026, on the Ole Miss campus in the Johnson Commons Ballroom.
Agenda:
8:00-8:30 am – Registration & Breakfast
8:30-9:00 am – Opening Keynote
9:00-9:45 am – Law. A foundational overview of legal and regulatory framework to safely and effectively integrate UAS into disaster response operations.
10:00-10:45 am – Emergency Ops and Data. How emergency responders can use UAS-collected data for disaster response while addressing privacy concerns.
11:00-11:45 am – Things to Come/Air Traffic Control. How UAS operations are integrated into disaster-response airspace through ground-and-air coordination.
12:00-12:45 pm – Lunch
12:15:00-12:45 pm – Lunch Keynote
1:00 – 2:30 pm – Scenarios. Real-world operational examples to showcase the challenges first responder face with using UAS.
2:45 – 3:45 pm – Air Space Coordination, Counter UAS, & No Drone Zones. How disaster-response organizations are currently integrating UAS into their missions and the growing role of counter-UAS strategies.
3:45-4:15 pm – Survey of first responder UAS-users for FAA research.
4:15-4:45 pm – Closing Keynote
5:30-6:30 pm – Reception in Ole Miss Law School atrium
8:00-8:30 am – Registration & Breakfast
8:30-9:00 am – Opening Keynote
9:00-9:45 am – Law. A foundational overview of legal and regulatory framework to safely and effectively integrate UAS into disaster response operations.
10:00-10:45 am – Emergency Ops and Data. How emergency responders can use UAS-collected data for disaster response while addressing privacy concerns.
11:00-11:45 am – Things to Come/Air Traffic Control. How UAS operations are integrated into disaster-response airspace through ground-and-air coordination.
12:00-12:45 pm – Lunch
12:15:00-12:45 pm – Lunch Keynote
1:00 – 2:30 pm – Scenarios. Real-world operational examples to showcase the challenges first responder face with using UAS.
2:45 – 3:45 pm – Air Space Coordination, Counter UAS, & No Drone Zones. How disaster-response organizations are currently integrating UAS into their missions and the growing role of counter-UAS strategies.
3:45-4:15 pm – Survey of first responder UAS-users for FAA research.
4:15-4:45 pm – Closing Keynote
5:30-6:30 pm – Reception in Ole Miss Law School atrium
Attendance is $75 per attendee and $25 per student, with complimentary registration for sponsors and panelists.
Sponsorship Packages
We would love your support! Checks can be made out to UMFoundation. Write "Air and Space Law" in the memo line. Contact aclewis5@olemiss.edu for more information.