Staff Notices

The Canada-Caribbean Institute (CCI) is pleased to invite scholars and researchers to the 3rd Annual Canada Caribbean Institute Research Symposium (CCI-RS) at McMaster University in Hamilton, ON, Canada. Founded in 2020 by The University of The West Indies (UWI) and Brock University, Canada, the CCI is now a collaboration between colleges and universities in Canada and the Caribbean.

The CCI’s mission is to provide a forum to connect academic institutions, scholars, the business and public sectors, civil society, the cultural and diaspora communities. The CCI also seeks to inform and encourage collaboration across Canada and the Caribbean to advance important social, environmental, and economic issues that are vital to the shared prosperity and advancement of both regions.

The CCI-RS is the annual event of the CCI. Given the unprecedented challenges to our planet’s health, the urgency to mitigate the effects of climate change, bolster our resilience as a society, and transition toward sustainable energy sources has never been more critical.  As part of our commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering collaboration between the research communities in Canada and the Caribbean, the CCI is pleased to announce a call for abstracts and research papers for its annual Research Symposium from October 16th – October 19th, 2024 and hosted by McMaster University (the current Canadian institutional lead of the CCI) in Hamilton, Ontario.  The CCI-RS theme will be Climate Crisis, Resilience, and Alternative Energy Sources.

The symposium aims to bring together researchers, scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders across disciplines to exchange ideas, share insights, and explore innovative solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change and environmental in/justice, climate vulnerabilities, enhance climate resilience, and promote the adoption of alternative energy sources. The CCI-RS will also provide researchers and interested stakeholders with an opportunity to connect and consider future collaborations. The CCI-RS will thus catalyze collaborative efforts that will contribute to a sustainable and resilient future for generations to come in the Caribbean and Canada.

Theme and Subtopics

Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies

-          Innovative approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions

-          Discovery research (e.g. biodiversity, ecological, earth sciences, environment) related to climate change

-          Enhancing adaptive capacity and resilience structures at social and communal levels

-          Integrating climate considerations into policy, planning & decision-making processes

-          Critical Climate Justice

-          Environmental Humanities and the climate crisis

Climate Resilience and Sustainable Development:

-          Building resilient and healthy communities and infrastructure systems

-          Nature-based solutions for climate resilience

-          Addressing social inequity and environmental justice in resilience planning

-          Indigenous knowledge, the environment and climate crisis

Alternative Energy Technologies and Solutions:

-          Advancements in battery technologies and renewable energy sources (nuclear, solar, wind, hydro)

-          Energy efficiency measures and conservation strategies

-          Net-zero energy systems for small, remote, and isolated communities, e.g. small modular reactors (SMRs)

-          Integration of renewable energy into existing energy systems and power grids

To broaden the symposium experience and foster interdisciplinary research and collaborations, we will accept a small number of submissions relating to issues of vital concern to the shared prosperity and advancement of both regions. The list of invited topics in this stream includes:

-          Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) innovation

-          Cyber security

-          Health disparities in disease incidence and outcomes

-          Canada-Caribbean Studies inclusive of cultures, language, literary traditions, etc.

-          History of Canada-CARICOM relations        

Abstract Submission

Submissions will be peer-reviewed based on technical quality, originality, and significance of the research or project.  Interested persons can submit either individual papers or panel proposals. Participants wishing to present individual papers must submit a maximum 300-word abstract that states the objectives, methods, findings/conclusions, and research significance. Panel submissions should be a maximum of 500 words, with the titles of individual papers. 

By submitting an abstract, you consent to receive communications about the CCI-RS 2024.

Abstract Submission Deadline

Complete and submit this ABSTRACT FORM by 11:59 pm ET on July 22, 2024.

Presenters will be notified by August 15, 2024.  All presentations will be conducted in-person

Requirements

-          Author Information:   Provide author(s) name, affiliation, contact information, and a brief bio of each author (100 words).

-          Abstracts:   Individual papers – limited to a maximum 300-word abstract. Panel submissions – limited to a maximum 500-word abstract.

-          Format: Thematic area and subtopic should be identified. Abstracts should be submitted in PDF format.

For information on abstracts and/or questions regarding the symposium click here.