EngEx hosts 3rd international INSS conference

The Integrated Network for Social Sustainability (INSS) 3rd annual conference on the theme ‘Communities and Connections’ ran 8th - 10th June. The EngEx hosted events and workshops at UCL related to our work building research partnerships with London-based communities.

Highlights of the conference included a keynote talk on ‘biophilic cities‘ by Dr Timothy Beatley from the School of Architecture at the University of Virginia, and a panel on well-being, security and sustainable development with Prof Des Gasper of Erasmus University Rotterdam, Oxfam GB Head of Research Dr Irene Guijt, Deputy Leader of the Green Party UK Amelia Womack and Richard Lee of Just Space.

There were panel talks on ‘invisible’ disasters and on community engagement with sustainable drainage with Abby Crisostomo from KLH Sustainability, Clare Donnelly from Tideway, Anita Konrad of Groundwork and Roy Tindle from Just Space.

Other events included a workshop on the water, energy, food and faith nexus co-hosted by the London Sustainability Exchange, and a projects showcase which enable the Engineering Exchange to show off some of the projects we’ve supported over the past year.

Co-facilitators included the London Sustainability Exchange (LSx) and Just Space. Led by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC), the conference was held at 7 difference sites and simulcast across 6 sites in the USA as well as here at UCL.

You can read one attendee’s description of events here. You can also look at presentations from the different events including Des Gasper on climate change and human security; Ben Hudson, from the London Sustainability Exchange, on faith, water and behaviour change; Mumin Islam from Thames Water on the challenges and opportunities for household water savings and Hannah Kyrke-Smith, from Groundwork London, on energising faith communities.

Read the agenda