Last week, the University of Aberdeen hosted the inaugural World Energy Business Schools (WEBS) Conference 2024 from May 20 to May 22.
This event marked the beginning of a new chapter in global collaboration among leading business schools located in cities with significant energy interests. Aberdeen, known as the Energy Capital of Europe, served as the perfect backdrop for this landmark conference.
A Unique Collaboration:
The WEBS Conference is a collaborative effort between three prestigious universities: the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, Curtin University in Perth, Australia, and the University of Calgary in Canada. While these institutions have maintained a formal relationship over the past few years, this event represented the first substantial interaction among the business schools in Aberdeen, Calgary and Curtin around shared research interests.
The primary aim of this initial conference was to foster networks that could introduce researchers across the three universities and pave the way for new research projects, funding applications, and PhD opportunities, along with other collaborative research activities.
Conference Structure and Themes:
The conference was structured into three main parts. The academic conference took place on Monday, May 20, and the morning of Tuesday, May 21, followed by a business/stakeholder engagement session on energy transition on the afternoon of May 21. The event concluded with a post-conference programme on Wednesday, May 22.
Held in the Sir Duncan Rice Library at the University of Aberdeen, the academic conference featured presentations on several critical themes:
- Energy Transition, Business, and Society
- Legal Frameworks and Public Policy
- Stakeholders and Supply Chains
- Place-based Dimensions of Sustainability
- Sustainability and Employment
These sessions provided a platform for in-depth discussions on how business schools can contribute to the evolving landscape of energy and sustainability.
Engaging Activities:
In addition to the academic and business sessions, the conference included a variety of engaging activities that highlighted Aberdeen's rich cultural and industrial heritage. Attendees enjoyed a conference dinner at Bistro on South Market Street, an engagement conference reception, and a whisky tasting event in the University of Aberdeen’s Linklater Rooms. Participants also toured and lunched at the National Decommissioning Centre, which is located in Aberdeen’s countryside, and explored the Aberdeen Maritime Museum.
Looking Ahead:
The success of the first WEBS Conference has set a solid foundation for future collaborations among these leading institutions. It is hoped that this event will lead to a range of new research initiatives and strengthen the ties between Aberdeen, Curtin, and Calgary universities. By building these networks, the WEBS Conference aims to drive forward the research and innovation necessary for a sustainable energy future.
We look forward to seeing the outcomes of this conference and the continued growth of this important collaboration in the years to come.