Network Conference 2026
Climate-U Network Conference
Higher Education and the Climate Crisis
23 - 27 November, 2026
Suva, Fiji / online
University of the South Pacific, Fiji - 2026 Network lead instituton and conference host
Climate-U Network Conference
Higher Education and the Climate Crisis
Key Dates
30th April 2026: Submission of abstracts and proposals
01 June 2026: Notification of acceptance / Registration open
23 - 27 November: Conference (Suva, Fiji, and online)
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Conference information overview
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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 to January 2024, funded by the UK Global Challenges Research Fund.
The network aims 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 civic, personal and 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 committed to achieving carbon neutrality and just transitions, there is still a significant knowledge gap.
Building on previous conferences on held in London, UK (2023), Nairobi, Kenya (2024), and Belém, Brazil (2025), the 2026 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, including interactive seminars, workshops, research papers and artistic engagements, featuring interdisciplinary perspectives from prominent speakers and decision-makers in climate education.
The event offers an immersive experience in the Pacific Islands, fostering engagement with indigenous communities in Fiji. It provides international network members with opportunities for deep environmental immersion and interactive workshops where communities share traditional knowledge and innovative approaches to climate change and education. There will also be dedicated developmental and networking opportunities for early-career researchers.
The 2026 Climate-U Network International Conference will be held in Suva, the capital of Fiji, with virtual options for participation also available for research papers and symposia. The organising team welcomes submissions for presentations from academics, practitioners, activists, early-career researchers and students. Please review the submission requirements for abstract proposals below.
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Free and open to all​
Registration and full programme details available here in June 2026
Conference sub-themes
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Sustainable campus initiatives and university governance
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Climate justice, intersectionality and equity in higher education
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Culture, heritage and indigenous peoples in the climate crisis
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Climate communication, policy and public engagement strategies
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Climate mobility, climate finance and health
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University outreach, student activism, civil societies and community partnerships
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Climate-smart education systems
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Pedagogy, curriculum and transdisciplinary approaches to addressing the climate crisis
We look forward to welcoming you and receiving your abstracts (see below). ​​
Call for abstracts and proposals
Invitation to submit a proposal
All abstracts should be submitted to conferencehecc@gmail.com by 30th April 2026
We welcome submissions for presentations from academics, practitioners, activists, early career researchers and students.
The following types of submissions are welcome:
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Individual paper
Empirical research or theoretical paper to be presented in parallel sessions
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Symposium
Grouping three or four paper presentations around a common theme
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Workshop
Hands-on, participatory session led by a facilitator/s
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Artistic engagement
Including poetry, music, visual arts and short films.
All abstract submissions should be in English. It is possible for virtual symposia to be conducted in any language: in this case, all of the papers comprising the symposium should be in the same language. Artistic engagements can be in any language, with subtitles in English if appropriate. Individual papers will be delivered in English.
Individual papers and symposia can be delivered either in person or virtually. Workshops and artistic engagements can only be delivered in person.
Submission requirements
All submissions should contain the following information:
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Names, affiliations and contact details of all authors
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Who the presenting author is
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Which of the sub-themes the presentation relates to
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Language of presentation
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Whether in-person or virtual
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Individual Paper
Abstract of 250 words.
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Symposium
Overview of 200 words, followed by a title and a 100-word summary of each constituent paper.
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Workshop
Overview of 250 words. The proposal should indicate the workshop's objectives, the target audience and the expected number of participants.
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Artistic engagement
Either the output itself or a short description.
General enquiries
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General enquiries can be directed to:
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Conference organisers:
Rosiana Lagi (rosiana.lagi@usp.ac.fj)
Tristan McCowan (t.mccowan@ucl.ac.uk)
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Conference Committee
Rosiana Lagi (Chair), University of the South Pacific
Devisha Sasidevan, Manipal University
Jackline Nyerere, Kenyatta University
Luciana Brandli, University of Passo Fundo
Sônia Schwendler, Federal University of Paraná
Tristan McCowan, University College London