2023 Circular Bioeconomy in a Decarbonised World Symposium

Experts and researchers interested in circular economy and waste minimisation are invited to the 2023 Circular Bioeconomy in a Decarbonised World Symposium.

Exchange ideas and knowledge about global challenges in net-zero emission, circular economy and clean energy, and attend presentations from keynote speakers.

Industry and government experts, academics and early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) are welcome to attend. EMCRs are invited to submit abstracts and present their research findings. 

Event details

The 2023 Circular Bioeconomy in a Decarbonised World Symposium will be held over two days in June at The University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. You may attend in person or online via Zoom.

  • Date: 15-16 June 2023
  • Venue: Level 3, Room 309, Steele Building, UQ St Lucia

You can join all sessions online via Zoom. We will display the Zoom link here closer to the start date.

Register and pay

Attendance cost: $30 per person.

To register, fill in the online payment form.

Register

For more information about this symposium, email Dr Shadi Kafimallak at s.kafimallak@uq.edu.au.

About Brisbane

See the Visit Brisbane website for information about Brisbane, including accommodation, things to do, and transport.

Aims

We aim to:

  • jointly propose innovative solutions and policies to reduce biomass waste and carbon emissions and address energy security while providing economic opportunities for creating value-adding biochemicals and fuels
  • enhance research and teaching collaboration and create an environment conducive to the exchange of knowledge, ideas and best practice to achieve greater research impact in low-carbon, circular economies
  • engage and increase the involvement of EMCRs in symposium events
  • produce cutting-edge publications and relevant research outputs that address pressing global challenges in net-zero emission, circular economy and clean energy.

Discussion topics

  • Biohydrogen
  • Bioindustries
  • Biomanufacturing
  • Biomass wastes
  • Careers in circular bioeconomy
  • Circular bioeconomy
  • Circularity in waste management
  • Circularity of chemicals and materials
  • Decarbonisation
  • Green energy and fuel
  • Sustainable product design

The 2023 Circular Bioeconomy in a Decarbonised World Symposium supports current global decarbonisation efforts by industries and governments to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

We will collaborate on a project to:

  • develop system science-based solutions that meet the challenges of waste, GHG emissions and energy security through circular economy (waste to wealth) 
  • manufacture value-adding products such as energy, hydrogen, fuels and chemicals.

Our project will indirectly support the Queensland Government’s commitment to identify and upscale its biomanufacturing capability (Biofutures Strategy, 2016-2026) and to enhance its bio/renewable energy/fuel uptake in greening the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

Project aims

We aim to:

  • elevate existing partnerships by enhancing collaborations between researchers and groups that have an interest in net-zero emission and circular economy 
  • catalyse trans-institutional and cross‐disciplinary collaborations in learning, discovery and engagement endeavours for climate-smart and circular bioeconomy
  • develop strategic links with industries and governments in partner countries for net-zero emission and circular economy
  • support graduate students and academic collaborations in food, water, waste and energy nexus for low-carbon circular bioeconomy
  • provide a platform for early- and mid-career researchers to meet leaders and experts in the field of circular bioeconomy and relevant areas.

Contact us

To find out more about our project aims and how you can collaborate, email us at s.kafimallak@uq.edu.au.

Symposium program

Day 1
TimeActivity

9am–9:15am

Registration

9:15am–9:30am

Opening remarks by Professor Patrick Moss

Head of School

School of Earth and Environmental Science

9:30am-10amKeynote speaker 1: Robert Speight

Director, Advanced Engineering Biology Future Science Platform

10am–10:30am

Coffee Break and EMCRs networking

10:30am–10:45am

Presentation 1 +Q&A

10:45am–11am

Presentation 2 + Q&A

11am–11:15am

Presentation 3 + Q&A

11:15am–11:45am

Keynote speaker 2: Professor Gerhard (Gary) Schenk

Chair, Engagement & Advancement, Chair, Industry Advisory Board at UQ School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences, UQ Sustainable Minerals Institute affiliate, UQ Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology affiliate

11:45am–12:30pm

Lunch break

12:30pm–2pm

Training/workshop (1)

Systems Thinking and Dynamics to EMCRs by Dr Russell Richards, UQ Business School

2pm-2:30pmCoffee break

2:30pm–2:45pm

Presentation 4 + Q&A

2:45pm–3pm

Presentation 5 + Q&A

3pm–3:30pm

Keynote speaker 3: Professor Robert Henry

Director, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation

3:30pm–4pm

Break and Networking

4pm–4:30pm

Keynote speaker 4: Dr Sreedevi Upadhyayula (online)

Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

4:30pm –4:45pm 

Presentation 6 + Q&A

4:45pm-5pm

Presentation 7 + Q&A

5pm-5:15pm

Presentation 8 + Q&A

5:15pm-5:30pm

Closing remarks

Day 2
TimeActivity

9am–9:15am

Registration

9:15am–9:30am

Opening remark by Dr Anthony  (Chair of the symposium), Lecturer in Industrial Ecology and Circular Economy, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences

9:30am–10am

Keynote speaker 1: Dr Erin Evans

CEO and speaker, Life Science Queensland

10am–10:15am

Presentation 1 + Q&A

10:15am–10:30am

Presentation 2 + Q&A

10:30am–11am

Coffee break and networking

11am–11:30am

Keynote speaker 2: Professor Ian O'Hara

Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, QUT

11:30am–11:45am

Presentation 3 + Q&A

11:45am–12pm

Presentation 4 + Q&A

12pm–12:15pm

Presentation 5 + Q&A

12:15pm–1pm

Lunch break

1pm–2:30pm

Training/workshop (2): LCA by Associate Professor Wahidul Biswas,
Deputy Director, Sustainable Engineering Group, Curtin Universit

2:30pm–3pm

Coffee break and EMCRs networking

3pm–3:45pm

Panel discussion with experts:

Topic: Bio-hydrogen and Bioproduct Opportunities to Support Circular Bioeconomy

  1. Dr. Marguerite Renouf, Senior Research Fellow in Circular Bioeconomy, Faculty of Engineering, QUT
  2. Mr Brendan Lee from Closed loop
  3. Ms Daniela von Rabenau,  Director at CIRCULAR
  4. Professor Aldo Ometto, Griffith University
  5. Dr Rodrigo Salvador, Technical University of Denmar
  6. Dr Anthony Halog

3:45pm–4pm

Presentation 6 + Q&A

4pm-4:15pm

Presentation 7 + Q&A

4:15pm-4:45pm

EMCRs networking and coffee break

4:45pm-5pm

Closing remarks

5pm-5:30pm

UQ St Lucia tour

 

australian academy of science logoGlobal demand for expertise in net-zero emission, circular economy and bioeconomy to address climate change and energy security issues is ever-growing.

This symposium provides opportunities to build your knowledge of circular bioeconomy and associated fields, network with experts and attend training sessions. The Australian Academy of Science's Theo Murphy Initiative encourages and supports EMCR participation in this symposium.

Over the two days, you’ll learn from experts and keynote speakers, and get the chance to:

  • attend workshops and receive training in the interdisciplinary method of systems thinking, modelling and analysis
  • build collaborations with established researchers and industry experts in Australia and overseas 
  • enhance your job opportunities in Australia and overseas.

Submit your abstract

Your abstract:

  • should be within any of the topic areas listed in this website

  • should be up to 750 words

  • will be reviewed for quality (Novel) and importance (meets strategic and economic needs).

Submission deadline: Thursday, 8 June 2023.

A best abstract award will be announced during the event. Prizes will be awarded for the best presentation.

Submit your abstract

Organising committee

UQ School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
International

Partners

UQ

  • Professor Peter Halley, Professor in polymer processing, School of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology 
  • Dr Anthony Halog, Lecturer in Industrial Ecology and Circular Economy, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
  • Dr Shadi Kafimallak, Research Associate, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
  • Dr Jennifer Yarnold, Research Fellow, Centre for Policy Futures

Australia-wide and international

  • Dr Ivana Cesarino, Full Professor, Head of Laboratory RESIDUALL – Laboratory of Solid Residues & Composites, São Paulo State University, Brazil
  • Professor Alcides Lopes Leão, Full Professor, Head of Laboratory RESIDUALL – Laboratory of Solid Residues & Composites, São Paulo State University, Brazil
  • Professor Abhijit Majumdar, Chair Professor for Decision Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
  • Dr Anya Phelan, Senior Lecturer, Department of Business Strategy & Innovation, Griffith University
  • Dr Rodrigo Salvador, Assistant Professor, Technical University of Denmark
  • Professor Sreedevi Upadhyayula, Chair Professor for Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
  • Dr Umi Karomah Yaumidin, Head of Research Center for Behavioural and Circular Economics, National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia