Call for Papers and Registration: SETI Workshops 2026

Deadline for submissions: May 3, 2026.

The Sustainable Energy Transitions Initiative (SETI) is an interdisciplinary global collaborative that fosters research on energy access and energy transitions in low- and middle-income countries, with the aim of improving understanding of their drivers and dynamics, as well as their impacts on health, gender equality, economic growth, poverty alleviation, climate change, and natural resources. As a virtual center of excellence for energy transitions research across countries, SETI works to continuously update knowledge on the impacts of energy transitions, develop coordinated and policy-relevant research strategies, strengthen North-South and South-South collaboration, and provide rigorous evidence to help reduce energy poverty and energy-related constraints to development.

SETI is pleased to invite submissions and registrations for two upcoming research events in 2026 focused on energy access and sustainable energy transitions in low- and middle-income countries.

This call covers the following two events:

1. SETI Half-Day Workshop before WCERE 2026

Date: Monday, 29 June 2026

Time: 12:00–16:30 (local time)

Location: Exact location to be shared soon with registered fellows.

Format: In person only.

This workshop will take place before the World Conference of Environmental and Resource Economists (WCERE 2026). It will provide a space for researchers to present and discuss ongoing work relevant to SETI’s themes.

Preliminary schedule

12:00–12:15. Opening session by SETI Co-Leads.

12:15–14:15. First round of presentations.

14:15–14:30. Break.

14:30–15:30. Second round of presentations.

15:30–16:00. Short meeting with SETI fellows.

2. SETI 2026 Virtual Workshop

Date: Late July 2026, exact date to be announced soon.

Format: Online.

The SETI Virtual Workshop is expected to be held over two days, following a similar format to previous editions. It will offer an additional opportunity for researchers from across the SETI network and beyond to present and discuss ongoing research. Further details on dates, structure, and scheduling will be shared soon.

3. Topics of Interest for both events

We invite researchers to submit original research manuscripts or extended abstracts (no more than 1,000 words for the latter) on a broad range of issues related to sustainable energy transitions, with particular emphasis on emerging SETI Collaborative Program priorities. While all topics relevant to sustainable energy transitions are welcome as usual, we highly encourage submissions related to the following areas:

• Burning plastic waste as a fuel in Global South countries, with application in household and vendor contexts.
• Cooking and heating energy transitions: Addressing energy poverty, indoor air pollution, and deforestation through cleaner solutions.
• Off-grid and grid electricity networks: Overcoming barriers in off-grid markets, enhancing grid reliability, and ensuring equitable electricity access
• Impacts of renewable energy: Exploring social, economic, and environmental outcomes of renewable energy technologies, particularly in SSA.
• Nexus of energy technology and air pollution: Investigating the interactions between energy systems and air quality, focusing on pollution reduction strategies.
• Energy-gender nexus: Advancing gender-equitable energy transitions, ensuring that women’s roles and needs are recognized and addressed.
• Inclusive and just energy transition: What does this mean, and how can it be supported with human and financial capital?
• The role of energy access and energy interventions in fostering social resilience in the face of growing macroeconomic, policy, and natural systems (e.g., from climate change) uncertainty.

We also welcome work that seeks to synthesize lessons across contexts, or that focuses attention on contextual features that lead to systematic variation in energy transitions dynamics and outcomes.

Submissions from researchers at different career stages are welcome.

4. Submission guidelines

You will be able to indicate in the registration form whether you wish to be considered for the in-person SETI event, or the SETI Virtual Workshop. If you wish to be considered for both events, please submit separately.

• For the SETI Workshop before WCERE, full papers are encouraged for submission. Authors may also submit an extended abstract (no more than 1,000 words)
• For the SETI Virtual Workshop, authors may submit an extended abstract at this stage (no more than 1,000 words). Submission of a full manuscript is also encouraged where available. Authors selected for the virtual workshop will be invited at a later stage to provide a complete paper or an updated version of their work.
• No templates are available. Make sure your document is structured with at least the following sections: title page, introduction, literature review, methods and data, results, conclusions, references, and an appendix, when necessary.

Those wishing to be considered for both events are welcome to do so. In such cases, please note that:

• Submissions for the two events should correspond to different papers; for the SETI event around WCERE, submissions that are different from papers accepted for presentation in the WCERE main conference are especially encouraged.
• Researchers who plan to attend the in-person event without presenting may also register through the same form by selecting the corresponding participation option.

5. Registration and submission process

A single form will be used for registration and submission across both events. Through this form, you will be able to indicate your intended mode of participation and provide the relevant submission materials where applicable. Additional practical details will be shared soon.

We encourage researchers interested in sustainable energy transitions to participate in one or both events and to share this call with colleagues and students who may be interested.

Questions can be directed to Cristóbal Vásquez-Quezada (SETI’s Project Manager) at SETI@udec.cl.

We look forward to meeting with you!

The Sustainable Energy Transitions Initiative