Overview of the conference
This PhD conference will look at the different aspects of sustainable futures, covering both how to mitigate the pressures we exert on our planet and societies and what needs to be put in place to help us deal with the consequences of this change. The objective of the conference is to build capacities and networks of early stage researchers in areas related to sustainable development pathways. The two day event will include keynote lectures, the chance for PhD researchers to discuss and present their research, and workshops on how to ensure the success and impact of your research.
Background
There is a growing realisation that our current model of development is unsustainable. We have entered into a new geological era – the Anthropocene – where humanity is the main driver of change at the earth system level. The accelerated pressure we are placing on our climate, forests, fisheries and biodiversity is threatening the stable earth system that supports us today. At the same time societies across the globe are dominated by huge inequalities and unsustainable societal practices. The impacts are showing already. We need new approaches to help us deal with climate change and other global environmental as well as social threats such as armed conflicts, diseases and famines to put us on a roadmap to sustainable development.
Conference sub-topics
This conference will cover (but is not restricted to) the following aspects and encourage new thinking on:
• Delivering innovative technology solutions – low carbon/ sustainable technology options
• Methods for modeling the transition - can be both qualitative and quantitative ranging from life-cycle analyses of energy technologies to qualitative scenario processes;
• Economy and governance for a sustainable future – challenging our current economic and governance structures and exploring the actors and policy instruments that will enable a sustainable transition, covering both mitigation and adaptation policies and issues of equity across developed and developing countries;
• Changing lifestyles – how our lifestyles need to evolve, to both prevent further environmental impacts and to enable us to deal with the consequences of change, and evidence that shows we can change;
• Co-benefits (beyond carbon) – the inter-relationships between climate change policy and other environmental impacts. Are they conflicting or complementary (i.e. co-benefits or trade-offs)?
Confirmed Speakers
Paul Ekins, the UCL Energy Institute, University College London
Andy Gouldson, ESRC Centre for Climate Change Economics & Policy, University of Leeds
Andy Gouldson, ESRC Centre for Climate Change Economics & Policy, University of Leeds
Who should attend?
Researchers at all stages of their PhD are invited to attend. The conference is intended to give PhD researchers an understanding of issues relevant to the sustainable development transition. Participants will be exposed to a range of disciplines, have the opportunity to strengthen communication and networking skills through interactive activities and will be encouraged to reflect on the impact and relevance of their research.
Programme
The conference will commence on Wednesday 30th March at 9am, finishing on Thursday 31st March at 5pm.
A detailed programme to follow.
Date:
Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 09:00 - Thursday, March 31, 2011 - 17:00
Venue:
Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, Booth Street West, Manchester, M15 6PB, UK.
Contact for more information:
No comments:
Post a Comment