This year's conference, the 32nd Irish Environmental Researchers Colloquium (Environ 2022), a collaboration between the Environmental Sciences Association of Ireland (ESAI) and the Ulster University (Ulster) will be hosted from 20th to 22nd June 2022. Environ is the longest running and largest forum for environmental researchers in Ireland with an average of 275 delegates attending the event annually. It provides a high-visibility platform for young and experienced researchers to present their findings to an audience drawn from academia, government bodies and agencies, as well as industry. Building on last year’s successful online event, this year, ESAI and Ulster have joined forces with the new Belfast Campus to deliver an exciting and engaging conference experience.
This year's Environ is championed by the Ulster University. Established in 1968 as the New University of Ulster, Ulster incorporated four campuses in 1984; located in Belfast, Coleraine, Magee, and Jordanstown. Comprising of six faculties, the university is home to approximately 26,000 students, 2,000 of whom are international from over 80 different countries. In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), Ulster was ranked within the top five universities in the UK for its research in law, biomedical sciences, nursing, and art and design. The university also boasts strong links with business and industry and courses are structured to allow students to combine their studies with vocational work placements. Ulster is a leading university for sport in Ireland and the UK, providing home to the Sports Institute of Northern Ireland where leading athletes train. It has one of the highest further study and employment rates in the UK, with over 92% of graduates being in work or further study six months after graduation.
This year, Environ 2022 will be held in the Ulster University's new Belfast campus. The new space located where Royal Avenue meets Donegall Street and York Street, at the City Centre, is part of the most significant regeneration project in Belfast since 1998. It will enhance the existing Belfast campus by 75,000 m2 and will host over 15,000 staff and students. The new Belfast campus is welcoming the Environ 2022 delegates to their impressive state-of-the-art city centre location this June.
The theme of Environ 2022 is “Unlocking Sustainability” echoing the intrinsic values of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and COP-26 climate summit, and how big challenges like the climate and energy crisis and the global health crisis provoked by the pandemic have affected the natural environment and the human health and wellbeing. Therefore, all presentations at Environ 2022 should reflect how science, engineering and other disciplines contribute to creating solutions for a healthy nature, sustainable communities, and a sustainable energy generation.
Over 120 poster and oral presentations will be delivered at the event. Session titles include: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, Circular Economy, Climate in the Balance, Ecotoxicology, Emerging Technologies for the Energy Transitions, Environmental and Human Health, Environmental Geoscience, Environmental Policy and Communication, Land Degradation and Deforestation, Marine and Coastal Management, Sustainable Land Use, Agriculture and Food, WasteWater and Water Reuse, Water Quality and Resources, Wetland & Peatland Management.
Experts–Public Open Discussion (19:00 – 20:00)
This is a public event where three short keynotes will be followed by an open discussion and Q&A session focused on "Ireland towards the net zero challenge". The aim of this event is to grow awareness of the links between green politics, net-zero energy technologies and biodiversity in Ireland. The panel will discuss the current and future challenges, green polices, and sustainable solutions to ensure an environmental protection – energy generation balance. For this, Professor Neil Hewitt (Ulster University), an expert on net zero energy systems, Professor Jane Stout (Trinity College Dublin), a prominent voice for biodiversity and its value, and Professor John Barry (Queens University Belfast) expert on green politics and the political economy of sustainability, will share their visions in this area. The broad audience will have the opportunity to raise their questions to this panel and promote interactive discussions about the future of sustainable Ireland, its biodiversity and energy demands.
Reception at the Ulster University Belfast Campus (20:00 – 21:00)
The best part of any event is networking opportunities, and this year at Environ 2022 we are back to face to face in a reception for the attendees to the Public Discussion and Environ 2022 delegates. This is an excellent opportunity to engage with the environmental research community, meet our colleagues, discuss our interests, and enjoy the night in the brand new and vibrant Ulster Belfast campus in the Belfast Cathedral Quarter.
Opening Ceremony & Plenary with Prof Paul Seawright, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Ulster University, Tim Brundle, Directory of Research & Impact at Ulster University, Liam McCarton Chairperson of the ESAI, and Prof. Jane Stout of Trinity College Dublin.
Plenary Lecture – Climate Change and Biodiversity in Ireland (09:30 – 10:30)
Prof. Jane Stout (Trinity College Dublin) is an internationally renowned expert on pollination ecology and a prominent voice for biodiversity and its value. Her research seeks to understand how land management practices, including agriculture and urbanisation, affect ecological processes and the benefits of nature for humans. Jane works across disciplines, and with a broad range of stakeholders in public and private organisations, to improve environmental policy and practice. Prof. Stout will present her vision on how Ireland and its biodiversity is coping the climate action challenge at the Conor Lecture Theatre of the School of Arts at the Belfast campus of Ulster University.
Reception, Live Music & Conference Dinner (19:00 – 22:00)
Social environment and active networking keeps active in the second day of Environ 2022. A drinks reception (19:00-20:00) and local Irish live music session will open an atmosphere of entertainment, fun and relaxed communications between all conference attendees at the hotel Hilton Belfast. The three course conference dinner (20:00 – 22:00) followed by music will take place in the same venue.
Plenary Lecture – Emerging Technologies Towards Net Zero (09:30 – 10:30)
Prof. Neil Hewitt (Professor of Energy at Ulster University and Director of the Centre for Sustainable Technologies). He is expert on sustainable energy systems, a Chartered Physicist and Chartered Engineer and member of the Institute of Physics, Institute of Refrigeration and the Energy Institute. He is an acknowledged expert in the field of heat pumps, both in their development and in their end-use, especially with energy storage in the emerging sector of demand side management. Prof. Hewitt will present his view and thoughts on the new net zero technologies to produce the energy demands of our society at the Conor Lecture Theatre of the School of Arts at the Belfast campus of Ulster University.
Student Prize Competition
Students should be aware that the ESAI run a student competition for oral and poster presentations including best overall poster and oral presentations and in a number of individual categories, click here to find out what’s on offer this year. Prizes are presented at the close of conference prize giving ceremony.
The registration fees for Environ 2022 are:
Paid up members at the time of the conference receive an ESAI members discount on delegate fees (€50 or £40 for full members and €25 or £20 discount for student members).
We look forward to welcoming you all to Environ 2022
Pilar Fernandez-Ibanez
Prof Tony Byrne & Dr Pilar Fernandez-Ibanez
Environ 2022 Conference Co-Convenors, Ulster University
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