Student Sustainability Research Conference 2025

The Student Sustainability Research Conference will return on Wednesday 5 March 2025 in Parkinson Court at the University of Leeds. Applications are open until 8 December 2024.

Apply to contribute using this application form.

You can access application guidance on this webpage.

The Student Sustainability Research Conference (SSRC) offers students across all levels and disciplines from the twelve member institutions of Yorkshire Universities the opportunity to be inspired, share their sustainability-related research and learn from their student peers from across the region in a professional conference setting.

The conference provides a unique opportunity for students, staff, partners, collaborators and members of the public to appreciate the breadth and diversity of student sustainability research across all levels of study. With research presented across a range of disciplines, the conference brings together creative expressions and scientific investigation to demonstrate the holistic nature of sustainability.

Illustrating the diverse nature of sustainability, the conference addresses all aspects of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and we particularly welcome research that addresses any of these six themes:  

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

These themes reflect the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission’s Climate Action Plan. Linking to regional commitments and collaboration also feeds into the Supporting a Net Zero City commitment of the University of Leeds Climate Plan. 

As part of our University Climate Plan, we delivered the 2023 and 2024 SSRC as a carbon neutral Student Sustainability Research Conference.  

We will continue to actively reduce and track all carbon emissions associated with every aspect of the 2024 conference including energy, catering and transport. The emissions associated with the event will be balanced using academically verified offsetting projects to deliver carbon neutrality. 

The Student Sustainability Research Conference has acted as a  ‘Living Lab’, testing approaches to reducing the emissions associated with events. The results have informed the approach we continue to use to ensure that SSRC remains a carbon neutral event. 

As a new addition to the SSRC24, we have partnered with the London Sustainability Research Conference, delivered by City University of London. We look forward to continuing our partnership in 2025.

Following the success in SSRC24, the Sustainability Service and Employer Engagement Team at the University of Leeds are hosting a networking event for students, staff, employers and alumni to connect around careers in sustainability.

Last year, we welcomed organisations such as The Environment Agency, Emerald Publishing, SAIL – Leeds and many more. 

We use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework to guide our activity. The Student Sustainability Research Conference is linked to all of the SDGs.

Find out more about our impact on the SDGs.