IGNITE Network+ Annual Event 2025 (Hybrid)

We would like to invite you to attend the annual event for IGNITE Network+ which will take place on 30 April 2025 in Prince Philip House, London. There is an option to join virtually for those who cannot attend in person.

The focus of this event will be career pathways and opportunities for underrepresented and minoritised groups in energy research. Join us for project updates, guest speakers, EDI Challenges flexible funded project updates, a poster sessions, breakout discussion groups on “how the network can support Increasing PGR diversity” and plenty of networking opportunities.

There is no charge for attending the event, and for those who wish to attend in person, but do not have access to funding, there is a small Travel and Carer Award available, virtual attendees may apply for carer support if applicable. The closing date for applications is 11 April 2025. See below for more information.

Should you have any questions about the event in the meantime please do not hesitate to email us: ignitenetplus@strath.ac.uk

Who should join

Anyone with an interest in Equality/Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in the Energy Research and STEM sector and beyond. In particular, career pathways and challenges for underrepresented and minoritised groups in Energy Research.

Programme

The event will start at 09:30 with registration, coffee and pastries and will end at 16:00. The programme is available to download but may be subject to change.

[Download the programme.]

Venue

Prince Philip House is the home to the Royal Academy of Engineering and a stte of the art, iconic events venue.

3 Carlton House Terrace Westminster,
London
SW1Y 5DG

See the Building accessibility statement

For more information about about getting to the venue and getting around London, please have a look at the London Tourist Board Traveller information

Poster Session - Call for Posters

EDI projects from across the Energy Research Community are invited to present a poster and flash presentation (2 min). Anyone interested in presenting their work should submit an abstract (100-200 words), please use the following: Abstract Submission form (closing date is 24 March 2025).

Poster presentations will be scheduled in one-hour in-person poster sessions taking place from 11-12pm in the Al Qasimi and then the ERA Foundation room.

Poster space is limited and abstract selection will be prioritised on the basis of innovative idea around career transitions, focus on energy research or transference to energy but we welcome posters around all aspects of EDI in energy research.

All accepted poster presenters are required to prepare a 2 minute flash presentation. There will be a prize for the best poster voted by the participants.

Important Notes

• All presenters must be FULL members of the network. Membership is free, you can join via the IGNITE web-site https://www.ignitenetplus.ac.uk/join-the-network
• If a proposal is accepted, participants must register to attend the Annual Event.
• Review the Poster presentation guidelines.

Keynote Speakers

Alasdair Henderson | Executive Director BAM Ireland | BAM UK & Ireland - who will be speaking about the EDI initiatives introduced at BAM, what worked and what didn't.

Prof Scott Heath | Professor of Nuclear Chemistry and Associate Dean for PGR and Early Career Researchers | University of Manchester - who will be speaking about PGR initiatives at University of Manchester.

Carer/ Hardship Fund

As part of our commitment to our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion [see our EDI action plan], the IGNITE Network+ is pleased to announce a Carer/ Hardship Fund, which will provide funding to support network full members with some of the costs associated with attendance at IGNITE Network+ conference, events and activities, this can be in person or virtual. Applications will be judged on their individual merits, but this might include support towards travel, overnight accommodation costs; caring costs (e.g. childcare, or to support care of elderly or disabled adult relatives) and/or support for those with accessibility needs (travel, audio-visual, personal help).

You must join the network as a full member to be eligible to apply for the carer / hardship fund. There is no charge for membership. Once you have joined the network, you can complete the online application https://forms.office.com/e/qxR4V134Wm

The closing date for application is 11 April 2025.

Hotels

There are many hotels near the venue, here are some suggestions:

The Cavendish

Trafalgar St James

Sofitel St James

The Londoner

The Clermont

The Thistle - Picadilly

Great Scotland Yard

St Ermins Hotel

Conrad St James

Travel

If you are travelling on the London Underground the distance of the venue from these stations are as follows:

Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly line): 8 mins walk
Green Park (Jubilee and Victoria line): 15 mins walk
Charing Cross (Northern line): 10 mins walk
Embankment (District, Circle, and Northern line): 12 mins walk

What is the I GNITE Network+

The EPSRC-funded IGNITE network+ (Innovation and Growth Needs Inclusion and engagement of all Talent in Energy research) is a four-year project which was established in September 2022 with £1.25m. It aims to support sustainable, abundant, clean and equitable energy for all, by harnessing the talents of energy researchers from all backgrounds. To achieve the changes to energy systems needed to meet net-zero carbon by 2050 requires innovation, and its translation into industry, at pace. Research has shown that diversity in the workforce, if managed effectively, increases innovation, brings greater scientific impact and improves economic growth. Increased diversity in energy researchers will significantly improve our chances of successful transition to net zero by 2050.

The IGNITE Network+ will address diversity issues by:

• collecting data that can expose systemic inequality;

• designing, testing and implementing disruptive initiatives;

• monitoring the success of interventions and activities; identifying, disseminating and encouraging good practice.

Principal Investigator, Professor Rebecca Lunn from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Strathclyde said:

“IGNITE Network+ will focus on transforming diversity by critically evaluating systemic inequalities at each stage in the career pathways of energy researchers. We will design and implement initiatives to remove barriers to success for underrepresented individuals and monitor the performance of these initiatives.

“In parallel, we will work to support individuals from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds through a mixture of organisational interventions, mentorship, advice and advocacy.”

F ind out more at https://www.ignitenetplus.ac.uk/

Please note that this is a hybrid event, it will be recorded and made publicly available.