CALL FOR PAPERS

The Early Career Researcher (ECR) Sustainability Training Academy (STA), Warwick’s signature sustainability initiative, will be held on 30 March - 5 April 2024 at the University of Warwick, Venice Conference Centre. The STA builds on the successful previous iterations of IGSD’s Sustainability Training Schools - ECR STS 1.0 Link opens in a new window held in June 2023; and ECR STS 2.0Link opens in a new window held in April 2024, both at our campus in England.

Set as a key goal for the Institute for Global Sustainable DevelopmentLink opens in a new window (IGSD) and Warwick’s Sustainability Spotlight,Link opens in a new window this ECR Sustainability Training Academy isestablished with the objective of enhancing the transformational, and interdisciplinary research culture to build a global platform for cutting-edgecollaboration, impact and place-based learning. In addition, it will provide creative skills training and collaborative research and practice-led environment – thus, ultimately, investing into a new generation of enthusiastic environment-conscious researchers to tackle existing and emerging challenges of sustainable development both globally and locally. This year, in another landmark achievement, the Academy has partnered with COP-29 in Azerbaijan to expose participants to the latest developments in climate policy and just transitions. Together with COP29 Scientific Chair, the Institute for Development and DiplomacyLink opens in a new window at ADA University, and the Institue for Advanced International StudiesLink opens in a new window at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (IAIS UWED), this year, the ECR STA will be introducing a new practical strand to the programme – place-based centres in Lankaran(Azerbaijan), in Bukhara (Uzbekistan), and Bengaluru (India)for full practice-based experiences (PBE) of STA learning.

PROGRAMME AND PARTICIPATION

The theme of the ECR STA is ‘Enabling Inclusive GREEN and JUST Transitions’, thus directly addressing both the current theme of COP-29, and a wide spectrum of challenges impacting diverse communities across the globe. We are looking for contributions that would explore critical conceptual approaches, innovative tools and models, and group case-studies that would focus one or more of the following topics:

• • • Theoretical and conceptual advancements in unpacking the concepts of just transitions including but not limited to its advantages and dark sides

• • • Speculative and creative approaches to designing alternative just futures

• • • Enhancing resilience and adaptive capacities within and across communities to enable just and inclusive transitions

• • • Just transitions, social ecological systems, and the planetary boundaries

• • • Historical perspectives

• • • Sectoral discussions of just transitions - such has housing, agriculture, water, livelihoods, energy etc in diverse geographies (global south, global north, urban, rural, marine and/or others)

• • • Policy analyses of sustainable development

To this end, we invite interdisciplinary ECRs (PhD students from year 2+ & postdoctoral researchers) to join us for a five-day intense STA focusing on exchange, co-production of knowledge, creative skills training, and network-building, such that we build capacity towards addressing pressing global/local challengesand how to address them at our place-based centres. The ECR STA will offer opportunities for an in-depth discussion around the submitted projects, to be complemented by methodologies and skills training sessions, study visits, keynote talks, groupwork and other social activities.

We are inviting prospective participants to submit an extended abstract of their research (max 1,000 words) and a brief cover letter to igsd@warwick.ac.ukLink opens in a new window by 10January 2025. If selected, participants will be asked to prepare a 10-minute presentation on their research for the STA. Successful candidates will be notified by the end of January.

Travel costs will be covered by sending institutions. Accommodation and subsistence will be provided through prioritizing BIPOC participantsand those from global majority countries, while training costs regarding STA will be covered for all participants by the organizers.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Places are limited, with a maximum of 20 participants, and the selection will be based on the following (but not limited to) criteria for the selection of top candidates:

• • • Abstract suitability to the call’s theme.

• • • Interdisciplinary background of the participant.

• • • Strong cover letter to explain how participation within the academy would support/ relate to the applicants’ study and research.

• • • Career stage of participants (Preference will be given to those at more advanced stages of their research).

• • • Gender diversity and participants from underrepresented geographies/areas of conflict will be prioritized

GROUP PROJECT DETAILS

As part of their participation in the Sustainability Training Academy, Early Career Researchers will be asked to work in groups addressing a topic related to the overall theme of the Training Academy, namely ‘Enabling Inclusive, Green and Just Transitions’. The theme responds to both COP29 discussions and a crucial element towards advancing sustainable futures. To this end, our participants will have a chance to collaborate with researchers from different countries and geographic areas, build their networks, combine their interdisciplinary knowledge, skills, and expertise to critically reflect on pressing global challenges of our time. Venice as the venue for our STA lends itself beautifully to this endeavour presenting itself at once as a beautiful globally renowned and historically steeped tourist destination and a place where the effects of climate change may be viscerally observed and engaged with.

The ultimate goal of the group project work is to catalyze inter and transdisciplinary research as a pillar for enabling just and inclusive transitions across the globe. Thus, we particularly encourage group projects that aim to:

• • • Provide an overview of theoretical and practical understandings of concepts such as just transitions, the dark side of just transitions, justice, equity and inclusion, and intersectionalities associated with green and just transitions

• • • Promote interdisciplinary approaches to addressing complex sectoral challenges with the aim of securing just and inclusive transitions within them.

• • • Highlight the importance of just transitions and in emerging global agendas for sustainable development, such as the COPs, SDGs and beyond.

• • • Critically reflect on past examples of (un)successful application of resilient approaches, policies, or practices in the context of a disasters/pandemics/global or regional disruptions

• • • Creative/participatory and inclusive approaches towards researching or designing policies and interventions that enable just transitions

To this end, each ECR group will be asked to develop a group project, focusing on a major contemporary sustainability challenge (in any sector of their choice, or focusing on theoretical perspectives) and emphasizing the central role of inclusivity and justice in assisting individuals and local communities to enable resilient, adaptive and just transitions. After breaking into groups, ECRs will have a chance to discuss their project ideas with tutors from last year’s School, who will assist in the selection and development of the topic. Although some time has been allocated for the development of the group projects, groups are asked to work on their own schedule throughout the duration of the Academy. Indicative project ideas based on the themes of the Academy are listed below but are by no means limiting

• • • Inequalities related to sectoral challenges that hamper progression to just transitions

• • • Enabling cultures of care and solidarity in building resilience

• • • Place-based ideas to enhance the resilience of communities in the Global South & North.

• • • Climate change and the impact on social ecological systems

• • • Historical perspectives informing present day pathways to enabling just transitions

• • • Inclusive urban and regional adaptations to climate change

Depending on the chosen topic, tutors will discuss available resources for the ECRs to explore. In general, an emphasis on participatory methods, which will be emphasized throughout the event, will be encouraged. Presentations can take a variety of forms, including but not limited to:

• • • Power point presentations.

• • • Poster or video presentations

• • • Panel group discussions

• • • Interactive discussions with the audience

• • • Podcasts

• • • Storytelling, poetry, art or other forms of innovative expression

For further information please contact the ECR STA co-leads at Warwick at the emails listed below:

Dr Hita Unnikrishnan (Hita.Unnikrishnan@warwick.ac.ukLink opens in a new window)

Dr Vangelis Pitidis (Evangelos.Pitidis@warwick.ac.ukLink opens in a new window)