Energy Transformation is the Topic of the Fifth Lower Saxony – Scotland Joint Forum

Five years ago, the Lower Saxonian State Rectors‘ Conference and Universities Scotland signed the first Memorandum of Understanding, which laid the foundation for the Joint Forum. The aim of this agreement is to ensure continued cooperation in science and research between Lower Saxony and Scotland even after Brexit. It was only recently renewed – during the latest delegation visit of Lower Saxony's Science Minister, Falko Mohrs, to Scotland – and reaffirms this goal.

The fifth anniversary of the Joint Forum will be celebrated with two interdisciplinary panel discussions: The first day of the conference will centre on the topic of the energy transition. In particular, the English-language panel discussion on ‘Energy and Beyond: An Interdisciplinary Perspective on Lower Saxonian and Scottish Energy Transformation’ will be led by renowned speakers from Lower Saxony and Scotland. The panel discussion will take place on Monday, 10 June 2024, from 2 p.m. in the Forum of the Central Building.

Important energy policy issues will be discussed as well as challenges and opportunities for cooperation on the energy transformation in a Lower Saxon-Scottish context. While Claudia Kemfert (Leuphana & German Institute for Economic Research) will report on strategies for climate and energy policy, Daniel Friedrich (University of Edinburgh) will focus on energy systems and national vs. municipal approaches. Stephan Barth (ForWind) will lead on the topic of wind energy and the promotion of knowledge transfer between science, industry and politics. Finally, Angelique Mesch (Schneider Electric) and Alexander Bedrunka (Lower Saxony Hydrogen Network) will shed light on the ambitions and current reality in dealing with hydrogen, as well as opportunities for cooperation in this area.

On the second day, research groups will present their existing and future project ideas in four different workshops. These will focus on sustainable fashion, offer a critical look at the ‘green’ energy transition, develop strategies to make infection prevention and control in healthcare more sustainable and analyse ‘social’ mobility and related patterns in higher education.

The Joint Forum is an annual networking event that strengthens relations between higher education institutions in both regions by promoting scientific exchange and internationalisation. The aim is to bring together Lower Saxon and Scottish academics from different disciplines and other members of higher education, including business and politics. It offers a unique opportunity to network, expand partnerships and establish new collaborations. The Joint Forum is funded by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture (MWK).