Integrating Gender Equity and Inclusive Practices for Just and Sustainable Energy Transitions
2026-04-09 09:30 - 16:30 (Europe/London) | Martin Hall, Loughborough University, Epinal Way, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, United Kingdom
📅 09 April 2026, 9.30-16:30
📍 Martin Hall, Loughborough University
Workshop Overview
Energy transitions are not neutral. Without deliberate design, they risk reproducing inequalities across gender, disability, poverty, displacement, age, and geography. This interactive workshop equips participants with practical tools to:

Identify how transition pathways can generate or reduce inequities
Integrate inclusive design principles into research and policy
Develop justice-based interventions for energy systems
Critically assess governance, finance, and infrastructure decisions
Strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration and proposal development

The workshop combines brainstorming sessions, scenario-based group work, and peer critique. Participants will work through real-world cases and leave with transferable methods applicable to their own research.
What You Will Gain
By the end of the session, participants will:

Understand how energy transitions intersect with social inequalities
Apply structured tools for inclusive energy design
Develop confidence in integrating equity into funding proposals
Build peer networks across disciplines
Strengthen impact pathways for research

Who Is This For?
This workshop is designed for:

Early Career Researchers (PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, research fellows)
Researchers working on energy, climate, net zero, infrastructure, development, or urban transitions
Those interested in gender equity, social inclusion, and justice in energy systems
Scholars seeking practical tools to strengthen funding proposals, impact design, and policy engagement

We particularly encourage applications from researchers from underrepresented and minoritised groups.
How to Apply
Complete the short registration form via this Registration link

Application deadline: 15 March 2026
Successful applicants notified by: 18 March 2026

The event is free to attend, but advance registration is required as places are limited. We can contribute up to £70-100 towards travel and caring support to reduce barriers to participation.

For further information and enquiry, please contact:
Organisers

Dr Serena Saligari
s.saligari@lboro.ac.uk

Dr Serena Saligari
Dr Rihab Khalid
Dr Samir Thapa

Funded by the ERA C-DICE Community Fund and supported by Loughborough University

Online Writing Retreat series for Postdoctoral Researchers and PhD Students (April - July 2026)
2026-04-13 13:30 - 15:30 | On-line via MS Teams
Join C-DICE and Energy Research Accelerator (ERA)  in a quiet, structured space for postdoctoral researchers and PhD students to focus on your writing. This series of four writing retreats are designed to give you protected time to work on your own projects, benefitting from peer presence to support focus and momentum.

You can register for as many of the sessions as you like.

Monday 13 April, 13.30 – 15.30
Monday 11 May, 13.30 – 15.30
Monday 8 June, 13.30 – 15.30
Monday 13 July, 13.30 – 15.30

You are welcome to work on any form of academic writing, including journal articles, thesis chapters, grant applications, reports, or other research outputs. If you have been meaning to make progress on something but haven’t had the space, this is a chance to step back and write.
Why attend
Many researchers find it difficult to protect time for writing during busy working weeks. This retreat provides:

Dedicated writing time – at least 90 minutes (plus optional break half way through)
A clear structure to support focus, including brief welcome, informal goal setting and brief progress reflection
A shared space with other researchers working quietly alongside you

Who is this for
This session is open to:

PhD students at any stage
Postdoctoral researchers

You do not need to have a finished draft. The retreat is suitable whether you are starting, revising, or trying to move a stalled piece of writing forward.
Access and joining
The event will take place online via MS Teams. Registered participants will receive joining details in advance. You will be expected to bring a writing project to work on.

The net zero debate: Advancing AI-driven “digital brains” through cross-disciplinary leadership
2026-05-07 09:30 - 15:30 | Cranfield University, College Road, Wharley End, Bedford, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
The transition to Net Zero has exposed a critical skills gap: the need to integrate AI-driven “Digital Brains” with multi-sector energy fields. Funded by the ERA C-DICE Community Fund and supported by Cranfield University, this in-person ECR event will support attendees to develop cross-disciplinary expertise linking engineering, data science, economics and policy. Providing you with the skills to integrate your research with AI ‘Digital Brains’.
In this event, you will engage in:

Expert Insights: High‑level multidisciplinary seminars on energy, AI, techno‑economics and policy for Net Zero.
Technical Showcases: AI digital twin demos and visits to ocean, hydrogen and solar facilities.
Leadership Simulation: Take part in a “Consensus Debate” to identify barriers and co‑create bankable Net Zero roadmaps.
Recognition: Top teams in the debate will receive certificates and prizes.

Key note speakers

Dr Qing Qin, Research Fellow in Actuation and Control Systems for Hydrogen Aerospace Applications
Dr Joao Bento, Research Fellow in Additive Manufacturing, Welding and Additive Manufacturing Centre
Dr Weizhao Huang, Research Fellow in Hydrogen Economics Modelling
Dr Siqi Wang, Research Fellow in Chemical Engineering
Dr Sandun Dissanayake, Research Fellow in Thermochemical Processes
Dr Danlei Yang, Research Fellow in Energy Systems

This is a free event with lunch and refreshments provided. Accessibility support, including travel or caring costs, may be available. In‑person participation is limited to 50 places on a first‑come, first‑served basis, while online attendance is unlimited.
If your registration is successful, you will receive an email confirming your place at the workshop.
Registration deadline: 23rd April 2026.

Online Writing Retreat series for Postdoctoral Researchers and PhD Students (April – July 2026)
2026-05-11 13:30 - 15:30, 2026-06-08 13:30 - 15:30, 2026-07-13 13:30 - 15:30 | On-line via MS Teams

How to optimise Copilot as a researcher
2026-05-19 10:00 - 12:00 | On-line via MS Teams
Join Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) and C-DICE for a two-hour online workshop designed for researchers who already understand the basics of AI and are ready to unlock Copilot’s full potential. Learn how to tailor Copilot to your specific research context – saving time, improving quality, and boosting confidence in your outputs.
Discover

How to use Copilot for optimised analysis, summarising, synthesis and idea development
Practical prompt crafting techniques to generate clearer, more accurate and relevant results
Ways to customise Copilot for academic, applied and evaluation focused research
How to navigate real world ethical, data handling and transparency considerations when working with AI

Receive:

Workshop slides and notes
Customisable prompt templates
Recommended AI Tools list

About the presenter:
Dr Naomi Tyrrell is an ICF Accredited Coach and runs Europe’s largest advice network for alternative-to-academic careers. After 18 years in academia, Naomi now runs an evaluation consultancy and training business. She is passionate about helping people and organisations develop their strengths and navigate periods of growth, offering expertise in areas such as programme monitoring, evaluation, organisational development AI training and executive coaching.
This event is open to doctoral and postdoctoral researchers from ERA partners and final-stage doctoral researchers and postdoctoral researchers from UK universities (non-ERA partners).
This event is now oversubscribed, you may still register but you will be placed on a reserve list for the event in case places become available.
Booking Link: How to Optimise Copilot as a Researcher – Fill out form , contact n.p.radford@lboro.ac.uk
ERA will contact you by email if they need further information or if they are unable to offer you a place. If your registration is successful, you will receive an Outlook calendar invitation confirming your place at the workshop.

Birmingham Decarbonisation Summer School 2026
2026-06-15 09:30 - 2026-06-18 16:30
BDSS 2026 “Accelerating Energy Transition towards Net Zero” is a 4-day event from 15 – 18 June, aiming to bring early career researchers and engineers to work together on a technical solution and business model for a real-world Energy Transition challenge, proposed by our lead industrial partner, GE Vernova. Participants will have two days of workshops (technical presentations and soft skill training) with some opportunities of working in groups to develop their technical solution and business model, and then pitch to a judging panel mainly formed by industry experts on the final day.
BDSS provides all participants with opportunities to work in groups on a real-world Energy Transition challenge. This will train the participants to consider both technical and economic aspects when they formulate solutions to real-world challenges to achieve Net Zero. By collaborating with researchers from other areas such as business and engineers from industry utility, participants are expected to develop their interdisciplinary research capability, practical engineering problem-solving ability, and networking. The collaboration between academic researchers and industry engineers can also benefit each other in developing their skills for transitioning to industry and leading research projects collaborating with university partners, respectively. Also, networking with keynote speakers will facilitate the early career development of all participants. Moreover, summer school participants will have the chance to take part in an interdisciplinary research on how to present to industry stakeholders more effectively.
This event is open to all postgraduate students, early career researchers and engineers from academia and industry, who are working in Net-Zero related disciplines in the UK.
How you will benefit from BDSS
Take this great opportunity to join us to:

Gain awareness of what the real challenges are of the Energy Transition towards net-zero
Meet world-class experts in net-zero from industry and academia
Work collaboratively with other researchers on a real-world net-zero challenge
Pitch to a judge panel and win £500 prize (Amazon voucher or similar, for the winner group)
Learn about how to present to industry stakeholders more effectively

This event is sponsored by the ERA / C-DICE Community Fund ’25-26, and there are five free places for doctoral researchers from ERA partners available on a first come, first served basis. Attendance at the event for attendees from ERA partners may be supported by our Travel and Carer Support Fund, for details please contact Dr Neil Radford, n.p,radford@lboro.ac.uk.
To register for the event please follow the link to the BDSS webpage: Birmingham Decarbonisation Summer School 2026 – University of Birmingham

ERA Doctoral Showcase @ ERA UK Energy Innovation Expo'26
2026-06-16 | Vaillant Live, Derby, DE1 1LA, United Kingdom
The ERA Doctoral Showcase provides an opportunity for PhD or EngD researchers from ERA partners to present their research to the wide range of experts, researchers, industry specialists and government representatives attending the ERA Energy Innovation Expo’26 on 16th June 2026 at Vaillant Live, Derby. Around 10 doctoral researchers will be chosen to give lightening presentations (3 minutes, 3 slides consisting of one title slide and 2 content slides), on the main stage of the conference. Our aim is to showcase the brilliant energy and net-zero research taking place across the ERA partnership.
Presenters will receive coaching and support for their presentation through a workshop, 1:1 mentoring and live rehearsal time provided by the ERA Skills team.
To express your interest in presenting at the ERA Energy Innovation Expo ’26 Doctoral Showcase, you are invited to fill in the following simple on-line form: ERA Energy Innovation Expo’26 – Doctoral Showcase – Fill out form .
Expressions of Interest must be submitted by: 12 noon, Monday 23rd March 2026.
Eligible applicants will then be contacted and asked to provide their presentations slides. Final choices for presenters will be based on the submitted slides.
Further information on East Midlands Tech Week, of which the ERA Energy Innovation Expo’26 forms part, can be found at: East Mids Tech Week | Explore, Connect, Innovate Today
The call for expressions of interest is open, and I really hope that you will consider taking up the opportunity to showcase your research to this conference. Conference attendance is free and there may be some financial support available to presenters where the cost of travel or caring responsibilities e.g. childcare are a barrier to attendance (subject to separate application).

UK Energy Innovation Expo 2026
2026-06-16 08:00 - 16:30 | Vaillant Live, 2 Colyear Street, Derby, DE1 1LA, United Kingdom
EXPO Countdown:0000Days00Hrs00Min00SecBook your free ticketJoin us for Energy Tech Day at East Mids Tech WeekThe UK Energy Innovation Expo at Vaillant Live, Derby is hosted by the Energy Research Accelerator in partnership with East Mids Tech Week.
The event brings together leading experts, researchers, and innovators to explore the future of energy.
This major summer event will showcase the very latest in energy innovation, research, and technology through a packed day of events with insights and sessions on hydrogen, nuclear, battery technologies, energy storage, bioenergy, Al in energy and much more.
The Energy Research Accelerator is the largest UK research network dedicated to solving and accelerating energy solutions to tackle today’s real-world challenges.
What’s happening at this event
Presentations and panels with insights from energy industry leaders and experts
High tech theatre show with energy tech global thought leaders panels on the ingenuity stage
Expos with leading energy brands and ERA partners
Discover new technology and cutting-edge demonstrators in the exhibition hall
Multiple strategic themes discussed by many of the regional sector leaders
Network with industry leaders
Meet the energy tech innovators at their pods
Deep dive workshops designed to support your energy network growth and business opportunity

See the agenda below, and discover how you can be part of the conversation shaping the UK’s energy landscape and global markets.
The venue, how to get there and parking For parking and all travel options please see the Vaillant Live website: https://vaillantlive.co.uk/venue-info/getting-here/
Live agenda – watch this space for the latest additions

Time
Event & Location

08.00 – 09.30
Doors open for registration, networking and refreshments

9.30 – 9.40
Welcome and Introduction
Zion Lights, Stage Host
Louise Holland, Founder, EMTW

9.40 – 10.00
ERA’s role in the net-zero challenge
Professor Dan Parsons, Pro-Vice Chancellor Research & Innovation, Loughborough University

10.00 – 10.15
The role of Innovation in solving today’s Energy Challenges
Richard Halsey, Innovation Director, Energy Systems Catapult

10.15 – 10.30
East Midlands green growth plan
Michael Gallagher, Director of Climate Resilience, EMCCA

10.30 – 11.20
Chair: Zion Lights
Panelists

Matt Barney,
Chief Hydrogen Business Officer, GeoPura
Rob Dorrell,
Professor of Fluid Mechanics, Loughborough University
Michael Gallagher,
Director of Climate Resilience and Green Growth, East Midlands Combined County Authority
Kelly Manders, Regional Development Manager, Cadent
Sara Walker, Professor of Energy, Director, Birmingham Energy Institute and HI-ACT

11.20 – 11.45
Refreshment break, networking and exhibition stands

11.45 – 13.00
Workshop Sessions

11.45 – 13.00
Workshop session 1 – Main Expo Hall
The Future of Nuclear in the UK
Panel Chair
Zion Lights
Panelists

Arun Bhattacharya,
Professor in Fusion Energy, University of Birmingham
Rachael Glaving,
Commercial Director, EDF Energy
Gary Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Infinity
Debbie Kempton, Director of Engineering, UK Nuclear Fusion

11.45 – 13.00
Workshop session 2 – Meeting Room (1st Floor)
Hydrogen: Building a Future‑Ready Hydrogen Economy
Facilitated by Professor Sonya Calnan, Loughborough University, Dr Amiripran Amiri, Aston University and Ed Hough, British Geological Survey

11.45 – 13.00
Workshop session 3 – Meeting Room (1st Floor)
Energy Policy and the Midlands
Facilitated by Dr Huw Edwards, Loughborough University, Matthew Rhodes, CEO of Camirus and Dr Arman Mazhikeyev, now UKRI fellow at DSIT in London,

11.45 – 13.00
Workshop session 4 – Meeting Room (1st Floor)
Medium Duration Energy Storage: The Missing Piece of Net Zero?
Facilitated by Professor Seamus Garvey and Bruno Cardenas, University of Nottingham and Ed Barbour, Loughborough University

13.00 – 14.00
Lunch, networking and exhibition stands

14.00 – 14.20
Keynote speaker
Innovation support and funding
James Silverward, Innovate UK

14.20 – 15.20
Energy Research Accelerator Summer Showcase:
ERA Doctoral Summer Presentations

Saeed Kudran Alharthy, University of Birmingham
Monica Amediavor, Cranfield University
Mandi Anyangwe, Keele University
Lea Gewandt, University of Nottingham
Aqsa Bano Kaim Khani, Loughborough University
Kate O’Neill, Loughborough University
Steffi Shaji, Loughborough University
Alexander Sterling, University of Nottingham
Jubil Kuriakose Thomas, Cranfield University
Jordan Townsend, Loughborough University

15.20 – 16.00
Emerging Energy Technologies
1. Aftrak – Jonathan Wilson, Founder
2. Pipeline Organics – Andrew Raslan, co-founder
3. R3V Tech – Adriano Randi, CEO and co-founder
4. Promethean Particles – Dr Selina Ambrose, Product Manager5. The Thinking Pod Innovations (TTPI) – Liliana De Lillo

16:00 – 16:30
The Future of Energy: The case for optimism
Zion Lights

16.30 -17.00
Networking
