8th Annual IIES Science & Policy Workshop
Critical Minerals, Communities and Environment
This year’s Annual Science and Policy Workshop will be hosted by SMI-ICE-Chile which is based in Santiago, Chile, and affiliated to University of Queensland, Australia. The Workshop will run from December 11-12, 2023 and participants will gain insight into current critical mineral mining issues in relation to research and industrial challenges, government policy, environmental regulation, impacts upon indigenous communities and the environment. Participants will have the opportunity to meet colleagues from our partner institutions as well as external industry, government and universities that have been invited to the Workshop. Participants are also encouraged to present and discuss environmental issues relating to the wider workshop themes. If your research topic is not listed, you can still present your work under the IIES Pillars theme.
For students, this is a chance to share your research and build potential collaborative relationships at an international level. The IIES Graduate Student Forum will be held in Puerto Montt following the Workshop. Participants interested in attending both the Workshop and Forum must register for the Graduate Forum separately on the IIES website.
Plenary Speakers
Professor Craig Sheridan
University of Witwitersrand, South Africa
Professor Craig Sheridan is a chemical engineer, based in the School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of Witwitersrand, South Africa. He is the Director and Founder of the Centre in Water Research and Development and a known advocate for water research.
Professor Sheridan is currently the principal investigator on a Joint Programme Initiative (Water JPI) project, funded by the European Union. The project involves constructing and monitoring two small-scale community-usage grey-water treatment wetlands in Setswetla, near Alexandra. It is a powerful demonstration of the power of enmeshed (interdisciplinary) research in an applied context to provide solutions to an acute problem – the treatment of greywater in an urban, mega-city informal settlement. He also conducts research on the treatment of acid mine drainage and has developed a research philosophy entitled “Blue is the new black” – the idea that wastewater from all processes should be clean.
Workshop Themes
Critical Minerals/Sustainable Mining
- Mining wastes and critical element recovery
- Water quality and use
- Understanding behaviour and impacts of contaminant mixtures
Microplastics/Other Emerging Contaminants
- Sources and exposure routes
- Effects on human health
- Research challenges
Circular/Blue Economies
- “Net zero” transition-critical elements for renewable energy infrastructure
- Circular economy approaches and opportunities for critical mineral mining
- Role of blue economy for our sustainable future
Indigenous Studies
- Historical and current land/water issues
- Mining industry and indigenous communities: future engagement strategies
- Sustainable empowered development
IIES Pillars
The above listed workshop themes are not inclusive and other topics are welcome. You may fall under one of the following topics:
- Environmental Health
- Environmental Policy
- Environmental Processes
- Green & Novel Technology
Important Information for Participants
PRESENTATION/ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS: Participants may choose to present a poster presentation or a 15-minute PowerPoint presentation. Please submit an abstract for both talks and posters and indicate your preference and theme you will be presenting in. (Graduate Forum participants are not obliged to present at the workshop but if interested can choose either a 15-min talk or present a poster).
REGISTRATION: As with all IIES events, the cost for IIES members is FREE. Those joining from non-member institutions must pay the registration fee and cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. Non-members may also register on the IIES Website. Registration fees include event meals.
TRAVEL SUPPORT: IIES travel grants will be available to some students from participating IIES institutions. Preference will be given to students who have not participated in past IIES activities. Opportunities are limited, register early. Grants will be issued on a first-come-first-serve basis to students from IIES member institutions. Recipients of IIES travel grants must attend both the Graduate Student Forum and the Annual Science & Policy Workshop. Please register separately for these events.
MEALS: Lunches, coffee/tea breaks, and gala dinner will be covered for participants during the Workshop.
ACCOMMODATIONS: More information about hotel accommodations will be provided soon.
For more information, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Important Dates
Abstract Submission Deadline: October 18, 2023
Notification of Abstract Acceptance: November 1, 2023
Science & Policy Workshop: December 11-12, 2023
Graduate Student Forum: December 13-15, 2023
The health and safety of our participants are important to us. Currently, there are no Covid-19 restrictions for travel to Chile. Visas are required for citizens of some countries. Be sure to check the requirements for entry to the country before booking.
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If you have any questions or require any further information please contact:
Raquel Scott, Operations Coordinator, International Institute for Environmental Studies
Email:
