Workshop: Lithium and its role in the low-carbon energy transition: materiality, geopolitics and technology

Renewable energies are now firmly at the centre of global debate, requiring novel strategic resources such as lithium for new technologies leading to the low-carbon energy transition. This transition will have important technological, geopolitical and socio-environmental consequences as profound as those which came with the shift to fossil fuels more than a hundred years ago.

The University of Cambridge with a vast tradition in innovation has a leading role in this energy transition with cross-cutting research in the areas of technology, social, and material sciences.

This workshop seeks to congregate researchers within the University from different departments and research centres to discuss the potential of lithium and related technologies from a multidisciplinary perspective and to build a network of collaboration and knowledge exchange.

What is this initiative about? 
The Margaret Anstee Centre in collaboration with Energy@Cambridge network, the Faculty of Business & Management and the Department of Land Economy are organizing this half-day workshop as the first event aiming to consolidate a collaborative network of researchers and to explore future funding opportunities. Based on a multidisciplinary dialogue on lithium related technologies and socio-political implications of key materials in the low carbon energy transition, the main aim is stimulating a critical discussion on the impacts, challenges and potentialities of lithium and energy transition technologies.

Organisation and logistics
The workshop will take place at Newnham College. It will begin 13:00 with a lunch, followed by three panels and coffee breaks. The event will conclude at 17:00.

Participation
Interested participants should submit a tittle and brief description of research topic (100-150 words) and include the names, contact details and affiliation. Each participant will have 10-15 minutes to showcase the objectives, scope and impacts of research.

If you would like to attend, please submit by 13 May 2019.
Questions and abstract to: Dr. Daniela Sanchez-Lopez (mds88@cam.ac.uk)