Conference Information
The Climate-U network brings together universities from around the world committed to working together to address the climate crisis. The network was born out of the Climate-U project (Transforming Universities for a Changing Climate) which ran from February 2020 – January 2024, funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund.
The aim of the network is to strengthen climate action and sustainability efforts within each institution and collaboratively given that the sustainability challenges traverse sectors and regions. Universities are central to the transformation of societies, through their unique role in professional development, knowledge production and public debate. While there has been increasing attention to the active role universities can play in recent
years, and many institutions have made commitments to achieving carbon neutrality and just transitions, there is still a significant knowledge gap.
Building on the Higher Education and the Climate Crisis event held in London in October 2023, this conference provides a space for debate, exchange of ideas and sharing of new research on diverse aspects of the higher education-climate crisis-sustainability axis. It
offers a platform for a range of activities that will include interactive seminars, workshops, research papers and poster presentations featuring interdisciplinary perspectives from prominent speakers and decisionmakers in climate education.
The mode of the conference will be blended with both in-person events to be held at the Kenyatta University Conference Centre, Nairobi, and virtual participation.
We welcome submissions for presentations from academics, practitioners, activists, early career researchers and students. Please review the submission requirements for abstract proposals overleaf.
24-27 September, 2024
Venue: Kenyatta University
Conference Centre,
Nairobi, Kenya / online
Programme:
24th September
Student-led activities
25th September
Workshops
26th September
Research papers, symposia and poster presentations
27th September
Policy dialogue (morning) and excursions (afternoon)
Important dates & contact
• Submission of abstracts and proposals
(workshop, oral and poster presentations)
24h May, 2024
• Notification on acceptance
14st June, 2024
• Registration opens
01st June, 2024
General enquiries can be directed to:
Jackline Nyerere (nyerere.jackline@ku.ac.ke),
Purity Muthoni (njeri.purity@ku.ac.ke) or
Tristan McCowan (t.mccowan@ucl.ac.uk)
Conference sub-themes
1. Transdisciplinary approaches to addressing the Climate Crisis in Higher Education
2. Sustainable Campus Initiatives and Best Practices
3. Climate Justice, Intersectionality, Equity and Higher Education
4. Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives on the Climate Crisis
5. Student Activism and Engagement for Climate Action
6. Climate Communication, Policy, and Public Engagement Strategies
7. The Role of Higher Education Institutions in Advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
8. Sustainable Development and Community Partnerships.
Registration fees
• In person attendance – $100 (USD)
• Online participation – $50 (USD)
• Students (in person or online) – $50 (USD)
Registration will open 01st June, 2024, with full details and where to register provided on the conference website.
Invitation to submit a proposal
All abstracts should be submitted to greeneducationhub@ku.ac.ke by Friday, 24th May 2024
We welcome submissions for presentations from academics, practitioners, activists, early career researchers and students.
The following types of submission are welcomed:
• Individual paper
Empirical research or theoretical paper to be presented
in parallel sessions
• Symposium
Grouping of three or four paper presentations around a
common theme
• Workshop
Hands-on, participatory session led by a facilitator/s
• Poster
Presentation of research in visual form inviting small
group discussions
• Artistic engagement
Including poetry, music, visual arts and short films.
Submission requirements
All submissions should contain the following information:
– Names, affiliations and contact details of all authors
– Indicate which is the presenting author
– Indicate which of the sub-themes the presentation
relates to (or the open strand)
– Indicate whether in-person or virtual
• Individual paper
Abstract of 250 words
• Symposium
overview of 200 words followed by title and 100 word summary of each of the constituent papers.
• Workshop
overview of 250 words. The proposal should indicate the objectives of the workshop, target audience and expected number of participants.
• Poster
Abstract of 150 words
• Artistic engagement
either the output itself or a short description.