The Southern Centre for Inequality Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand and Princeton University have issued a Call for Papers for a joint symposium on “Climate Transitions, Industrialisation & Development in the Global South.” The symposium will examine how climate transitions are reshaping production, labour, industrial policy, value chains and development trajectories across countries of the Global South.
The symposium will be particularly relevant for researchers working at the intersection of climate change, law, development, industrial policy, labour and economic transformation.
About the Symposium
The joint symposium seeks to explore the relationship between climate transitions and broader processes of industrialisation and development in the Global South. It will consider how climate-related economic transformations are affecting states, industries, workers and value chains.
Researchers working on legal dimensions of climate transitions can consider topics involving climate regulation, environmental law, industrial policy, labour regulation, critical minerals, corporate governance and climate finance.
Themes for Submission
The symposium will cover several interconnected themes. These include The Climate Factory, examining changing patterns of production and industrial organisation in the context of climate transitions.
Another theme is Green Industrial Policy and State Capacity, which may provide opportunities to examine the legal and institutional frameworks governing green industrial development and the role of the state in implementing climate policy.
The symposium will also explore Labour, Skills and the Just Transition, including questions concerning workers, employment, skills development and legal protections during economic transitions.
Other themes include Critical Minerals, Batteries and Climate Capital, as well as Comparative Climate Projects. Researchers may approach these themes from legal, economic, political, policy or interdisciplinary perspectives.
Who Can Submit?
The Call for Papers is relevant to academics, researchers and scholars whose work engages with climate transitions, industrialisation, labour, development, environmental regulation or related areas in the Global South.
Law researchers may particularly consider submissions examining climate governance, environmental regulation, green industrial policy, labour law, climate finance, critical minerals regulation, energy transitions and the legal dimensions of development policy.
The symposium provides an opportunity to contribute to interdisciplinary discussions on how legal and institutional frameworks can shape climate transitions and development outcomes.
Submission Requirements
Interested researchers are required to submit an abstract of no more than 500 words, together with a short biographical note of up to 150 words. Applicants must also submit their full CV along with the abstract and biographical information.
Selected abstracts will be invited for participation in the symposium. According to the announcement, fully funded travel and accommodation support will be provided to selected participants, making this an important opportunity for researchers seeking to present their work in an international academic setting.
How to Submit
Researchers should submit their abstracts and related documents in accordance with the symposium requirements. Queries and submissions can be directed to Lindiwe Mdlalose at lindiwe.mdlalose@wits.ac.za.
Symposium: Climate Transitions, Industrialisation & Development in the Global South
Organisers: Southern Centre for Inequality Studies, University of the Witwatersrand and Princeton University
Format: Joint Symposium
Key Areas: Climate Transitions, Industrialisation, Labour, Green Industrial Policy, Critical Minerals and Development
Abstract Limit: 500 words
Biography: Maximum 150 words
CV: Full CV required
Funding: Fully funded travel and accommodation for selected abstracts
Eligibility: Researchers working on relevant themes, including legal and interdisciplinary research
Access the Symposium Document and Submission Details
