Translating Clean Energy Research to Rural India
Under the Researcher Links scheme of the Newton Fund, the British Council and Royal Society of Chemistry are co-funding a workshop on the above theme in IISER Pune, India on 4th ??? 8th September 2017.
The workshop will be coordinated by Prof Neil Robertson, Dr. Jamie Cross (University of Edinburgh), Prof Satish Ogale (IISER, Pune) and Dr. Priyadarshini Karve (Samuchit Enviro Tech)
The aims of the workshop are for the physical and social science communities to benefit through learning from each other, to ensure that development of new technologies proceeds with better awareness of the needs of rural communities. This includes:
- To introduce physical scientists to the real-world use of energy technologies in rural India. A visit to selected villages in Maharashtra at the start of the workshop to inform the subsequent presentations, discussions and problem-solving activities of the workshop.
- To introduce social scientists to the latest progress in emerging technologies to raise their awareness of immediate and future technological approaches to pressing problems.
- To facilitate communication and network building between physical and social scientists.
- To identify short-term projects for immediate impact to consolidate new partnerships that develop during the workshop.
The workshop will bring together physical scientists/engineers working in energy technologies, with social scientists working in delivery and study of the use of technology in the rural Indian context. Each of these groups will include participants from both India and the UK to build robust networks and share ideas. The workshop will encompass the areas of sustainable development, sustainable energy for all, water and sanitation and resilient and connected communities. Technology areas can include for example the generation and storage of electricity, sustainable cooking, local water purification and other related challenges.
We are now inviting Early Career Researchers from the UK and India to apply to attend this workshop. The coordinators will select 13 each from the UK and India, with an even split between those working in the physical sciences and the social sciences.
To be eligible for consideration, Early Career Researchers must have obtained a PhD within 10 years prior to the workshop. Participants must also have links to UK or Indian higher education, research institutions or relevant industrial R&D organisations.
The workshop will be held in English. The costs of travel, accommodation and meals during the workshop will be covered.
How to Apply
To apply, please fill in the application form and send it to the coordinators by email. The deadline for submission is Friday 23rd June 2017.
