Academic Networking Event 2024

The Centre for Sustainable Transitions (Stellenbosch University) in partnership with INSPIRE and Power Futures Lab (University of Cape Town Graduate Business School) hosted an Academic Networking Event in at the UCT Graduate School of Business in Cape Town, South Africa.

The event brought together over 60 registered participants, with approximately 35 attending in person and a small group joining online. Attendees included practitioners, academics, students, and researchers from five South African universities (University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, University of the Western Cape, University of the Free State, and the University of the Witwatersrand) alongside representatives from NGOs and private-sector organisations.

The focus of the gathering was to critically explore the socio-economic, governance, and developmental impacts of utility-scale renewable energy projects, particularly within the framework of South Africa’s Just Energy Transition (JET). The event served as a platform to strengthen connections among stakeholders in the renewable energy sector and to deepen understanding of the research being conducted across disciplines. Participants engaged in dynamic discussions, facilitated by Alison McCallum, that examined the various approaches to addressing social, environmental, and economic challenges in the sector. The sessions also provided space to identify emerging research themes and align academic efforts with practical challenges on the ground.

A key highlight of the day was the active collaboration between academic researchers and practitioners, reflecting on how to synergise theoretical frameworks with practical applications. These exchanges fostered peer learning and encouraged innovative approaches to knowledge creation and problem-solving. Discussions also emphasised the importance of bridging academic and industry divides to address critical gaps in understanding and practice, supporting South Africa’s JET objectives.

The insights and exchanges from the event were visually captured by Grant from Graphic Harvest, creating a vivid and accessible record of the discussions. These visual summaries contribute to INSPIRE’s growing knowledge database, serving as a resource for ongoing learning and collaboration in the renewable energy sector. This landmark event reaffirmed INSPIRE’s commitment to fostering academic-practitioner collaboration and advancing research that supports a more sustainable and equitable energy transition. Through these efforts, INSPIRE continues to catalyse meaningful dialogue and actionable solutions for the challenges faced by South Africa’s renewable energy landscape.

Following the Academic Networking Event, the discussions and outcomes were documented in the Academic Networking Event Report. This report provides a detailed narrative of the topics explored, highlighting the importance of collaborative and transformative research in advancing South Africa’s Just Energy Transition. It captures key insights, practical approaches, and opportunities for fostering meaningful progress in the renewable energy sector.