The SEEDS Annual Conference 2026, hosted by the University of Ferrara in collaboration with the European Horizon project BioFairNet, will take place from 2 to 4 December 2026 in Ferrara, Italy.
The conference will explore the role of the Circular Economy and the Bioeconomy in addressing climate change and supporting Europe’s transition towards sustainability. Bringing together academics, researchers, PhD candidates, practitioners, and stakeholders from a wide range of disciplines, the event aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and advance research on sustainability-related challenges and opportunities.
📚 Conference Themes
Contributions are invited on topics including, but not limited to:
- Circular Economy and climate change mitigation;
- Bioeconomy and the substitution of non-renewable resources with renewable alternatives;
- Renewable energy generation and its environmental impacts;
- Waste management, prevention, reuse, recycling, and resource recovery;
- Efficiency and cooperation across production and value chains;
- Innovation and sustainability transitions.
The conference welcomes submissions employing qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches.
📅 Important Dates
- Abstract submission deadline: 25 June 2026
- Notification of acceptance: 21 July 2026
✨ Additional Events
Alongside the main conference, participants will have the opportunity to attend:
- An Early & Emerging Researchers Workshop, designed to support PhD candidates and early-career researchers through feedback and networking opportunities;
- A workshop on Engineering Design, Artificial Intelligence, and Circular Economy, focusing on innovative technological solutions for sustainability and resource efficiency;
- A Networking Aperitif, bringing together researchers, industry representatives, policymakers, and other stakeholders to encourage collaboration and knowledge exchange.
View full event details (PDF)↗️
We welcome contributions from scholars and practitioners interested in advancing research and practice in sustainability, circular economy, and bioeconomy transitions.
We look forward to welcoming participants to Ferrara for an engaging and interdisciplinary exchange of ideas.
