UTServicesCFMSustainabilityGreen Hub TwenteSustainability WeekStudent Sustainability Research Conference

Student Sustainability Research Conference

A First-of-Its-Kind Event for UTwente

Green Hub Twente is proud to announce the inaugural Student Sustainability Research Conference (SSRC), a unique platform for students, staff, partners, and the public to explore the breadth and diversity of student sustainability research at the University of Twente.

The conference brings together students at all levels of study from across institutions in the Twente region, offering the opportunity to be inspired by one another, present your work, build your network, and learn from peers in a professional conference environment. 

The event aims to showcase the interdisciplinary nature of sustainability, with creative explorations encouraged alongside critical analysis and scientific investigation. Students can contribute individually or as a group, and research does not need to be fully complete to be shared at the conference; the focus is on inspiring, sharing, and learning.

Faculty & Teacher Nominations

We actively encourage faculty members and teachers to nominate students whose work you believe would benefit from a platform like this. Whether a student is completing a thesis, a design project, a field study, or a course assignment with sustainability relevance, this conference is the right stage for it.

Nominations can be submitted on behalf of students, or you may encourage students to apply directly. The conference welcomes work across all disciplines from engineering and natural sciences to social sciences, arts, business, and law.

Submit a nomination before Monday, 15 September

Why Participate?

Presenting at the SSRC offers students a genuine professional conference experience: the chance to develop communication skills, receive feedback from a mixed-discipline audience, network with peers and companies, and contribute to regional sustainability discourse. Past conferences of this model at other universities have attracted hundreds of attendees and gone on to become flagship annual events.

Presentation Formats

Students can apply to present or perform their work in any format, including:

  • Oral Presentations
  • Academic Posters
  • Workshops
  • Demonstrations
  • Installations
  • Focus Groups
  • Creative Performances

Key Information

  • Conference day: 15th October 2026
  • Applications are open: Now
  • Topic Submission & nomination deadline: 15 September 2026
  • Details about participation communicated by: 7 September 2026
  • Poster submission: 30 September 2026
  • Location: TBD
  • Time: TBD

Six Priority Areas

Illustrating the diverse nature of sustainability, the conference addresses all aspects of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We particularly welcome research addressing any of the following themes:

  • Rapid Emissions Reduction
  • Climate Adaptation and Resilience
  • Nature Restoration
  • A Just Transition
  • Education for Sustainable Development
  • Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Tips for a Strong Application

Downloads

Here are some practical recommendations to help your application stand out and give reviewers everything they need to assess your work fairly.

Participation Pathways

There are multiple ways to be part of the conference, whether as a presenting student, a faculty nominator, a partner organisation, or a sponsor.

Students - Apply to Present

Have you worked on a sustainability-related project during your studies? This conference is the platform to share it. All levels of study and all disciplines are welcome, from first-year course projects to master's theses and PhD research.

Faculty & Teachers - Nominate a Student

Do you have a student whose sustainability-related work deserves recognition and a broader audience? Nominate them directly, or encourage them to apply. Your endorsement makes a difference.

Partners - Collaborate With Us

Municipalities, NGOs, research institutes, and other organisations can partner with Green Hub Twente to co-shape this conference and connect with the next generation of sustainability researchers.

Sponsors - Support Student Research

As the first edition of this conference at UT, we are actively seeking partners and sponsors to help make it a success. Your organisation can play a meaningful role in supporting student sustainability research in our region.

Get involved in the Student Sustainability Research Market

What ARE We Looking For

We welcome submissions from students at all levels and across all disciplines. The most important criterion is that the work relates to sustainability and has a positive social, environmental, or economic sustainability dimension.

What are we looking for

1. Sustainability Relevance: Your project or research must relate meaningfully to sustainability or Climate Action broadly interpreted across the UN SDGs.

2. Any Discipline: From engineering and life sciences to social sciences, arts, business, and law, all fields are welcome.

3. Work in Progress Welcome: Research does not need to be complete. Preliminary findings, design explorations, and ongoing projects are all eligible.

4. Individual or Group: Students can submit and present individually or as a collaborative group.

5. All Study Levels: Undergraduate, master's, and PhD students are all welcome to submit.

6. Creative Formats: Traditional presentations, posters, demonstrations, installations, and performances are all accepted.

Ready to Get Involved?

Whether you are a student with research to share, a faculty member with a student to nominate, or an organisation looking to partner, we want to hear from you. Take this opportunity to showcase your passion, connect with others, and inspire change. We can’t wait to see what you’ll bring to the SSRC26! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply to present?

The SSRC is delivered collaboratively with the five-member faculties and therefore accepts applications from students studying at any of the following: 

  • BMS
  • EEMCS
  • ITC
  • ET
  • TNW

Students from any level of study, from undergraduate to postgraduate, or with any subject background, are welcome to apply.

What format can my research be in?
  • We accept applications to present research in a wide range of formats. Research presentations with interactive elements or alternative formats are strongly encouraged. 
    • Live presentations: You may apply to deliver a presentation. Your application can be for a 5-minute snap presentation, 10-minute presentation with 5 minutes of questions or 25-minute presentation with 5 minutes of questions.
    • Workshop / panel session / focus group / demonstration: You may apply to host a longer (45 mins), more interactive activity around your research which involves activities and audience participation. This may also take the format of a facilitated ideation session. 
    • Installation / artwork or exhibition: you may apply to have your artwork or installation exhibited.
    • Film screening / performance: you may apply to screen a film or perform. Previous performances have included original vocal compositions.
What is the academic poster exhibition?

All successful applicants will have the opportunity to submit an academic poster in A1 dimension (594mm x 841mm, portrait or landscape) about their research to be displayed in the poster exhibition on the day. The poster will need to convey the project or research to a mixed-discipline, non-specialist audience. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to practice visual communication skills. Think about the structure and design of a poster including the layout, font, title, the research authors, sub-headings, colours etc. Remember to include relevant images (including the SDG icons), diagrams, tables, photographs and logos on the poster at an appropriate scale and with clear captions.  

These poster templates are to ensure that the aspect is correct for printing. For more information and instructions for how to design an effect poster, please visit the University of Twente poster guidance page. 

All posters must be saved as a PDF and sent to greenhub@utwente.nl or printed by the deadline of 30 September 2026. 

How do I get in touch to find out more?

See our SSRC webpage for more information about this year’s conference.  

If you have any queries about the application process or would like to discuss reasonable adjustments to enable you to participate in the conference, please contact greenhub@utwente.nl. 

How to nominate a student?

Do you want to nominate a student? Send the following information to Green Hub (greenhub@utwente.nl):

  • Name and email address of the suitable candidate
  • Student number