Event overview
The next Frontiers symposium “Systems approaches in a just energy transition for equitable access” will take place in Medellín, Colombia from 22-24 April 2024. In partnership with the Engineering X Safer Complex Systems mission and Universidad De Antioquia, the symposium will explore challenges in transitioning to an energy system that is fair, safe and accessible. By taking a view across the entire system, the event aims to identify innovative proposals and practices that ensure access to reliable and clean energy in low- and middle-income countries, and consider how engineering clean energy intersects with a variety of disciplines, sectors and actors, including the role of governance.
The event will unpick the complexity by exploring the system through three lenses:
- Locally appropriate solutions and south-south collaboration for just energy transitions
- Governance, justice, and access
- Circularity and the end of life of technology
System-wide considerations, like safety, inclusion and stakeholder engagement will form cross-cutting themes.
Symposium Format
- Event dates: Monday 22 to Wednesday 24 April 2024, in Medellín, Colombia
- Participants arrive: evening of 21 April, with a welcome dinner and networking
- Event structure: at the core of the event there will be three cross-cutting, challenge-led sessions that bridge different disciplines. The event will also include valuable training and workshopping on systems approaches and tools, to make sure the resulting solutions are developed in an inclusive and holistic way.
- Participants will be: from all disciplines (i.e. not just for engineers!) and sectors, and from all around the world.
- Event cost: There is no cost to participants for attending the event! We welcome a diverse group of participants and offer to cover your travel, accommodation and subsistence costs during the event. We can also cover the costs of most access needs and/or to replace any usual caring responsibilities you may have. If this will help you participate in the event, please contact the team to discuss your circumstances in confidence. Please note: we do not cover usual salary costs.
Post-event funding
Seed funding of up to £20,000 over one year will be awarded to successful collaboration bids from the symposium, designed to strengthen collaborations developed at the symposium.
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The Frontiers symposia are a powerful and effective tool that facilitate introductions and interdisciplinary collaborations between outstanding researchers, innovators and practitioners working in the international development field. Each symposium is led and curated by two event chairs and an expert content committee, so the content is cutting-edge, forward looking and relevant.
The Academy has expertise in curating these impactful events. We want to work in partnership with you to achieve community curation around a challenge that is important to you or your organisation. We also have networks in a range of themes, from within and outside engineering, that we can leverage to achieve your goals. To discuss this further, please get in touch.
Keep an eye on this page for future symposium themes, dates and locations.
Past symposia
Interested to find out what happens at our symposia and the impact on participants? Take a look at our previous events.