Experts and researchers interested in circular economy and waste minimisation attended the 2023 Circular Bioeconomy in a Decarbonised World Symposium.
The symposium saw the exchange of ideas and knowledge about global challenges in net-zero emission, circular economy and clean energy, and presentations from keynote speakers.
Industry and government experts, academics and early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) were in attendance, with EMCRs presenting their research findings.
Event details
The 2023 Circular Bioeconomy in a Decarbonised World Symposium was held over two days in June at The University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia.
- Date: 15-16 June 2023
- Venue: Level 3, Room 309, Steele Building, UQ St Lucia
For more information about this symposium, email Dr Shadi Kafimallak at s.kafimallak@uq.edu.au.
About Brisbane
See the Visit Brisbane website for information about Brisbane, including accommodation, things to do, and transport.
Aims
We aim to:
- jointly propose innovative solutions and policies to reduce biomass waste and carbon emissions and address energy security while providing economic opportunities for creating value-adding biochemicals and fuels
- enhance research and teaching collaboration and create an environment conducive to the exchange of knowledge, ideas and best practice to achieve greater research impact in low-carbon, circular economies
- engage and increase the involvement of EMCRs in symposium events
- produce cutting-edge publications and relevant research outputs that address pressing global challenges in net-zero emission, circular economy and clean energy.
Discussion topics
- Biohydrogen
- Bioindustries
- Biomanufacturing
- Biomass wastes
- Careers in circular bioeconomy
- Circular bioeconomy
- Circularity in waste management
- Circularity of chemicals and materials
- Decarbonisation
- Green energy and fuel
- Sustainable product design
The 2023 Circular Bioeconomy in a Decarbonised World Symposium supports current global decarbonisation efforts by industries and governments to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
We will collaborate on a project to:
- develop system science-based solutions that meet the challenges of waste, GHG emissions and energy security through circular economy (waste to wealth)
- manufacture value-adding products such as energy, hydrogen, fuels and chemicals.
Our project will indirectly support the Queensland Government’s commitment to identify and upscale its biomanufacturing capability (Biofutures Strategy, 2016-2026) and to enhance its bio/renewable energy/fuel uptake in greening the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
Project aims
We aim to:
- elevate existing partnerships by enhancing collaborations between researchers and groups that have an interest in net-zero emission and circular economy
- catalyse trans-institutional and cross‐disciplinary collaborations in learning, discovery and engagement endeavours for climate-smart and circular bioeconomy
- develop strategic links with industries and governments in partner countries for net-zero emission and circular economy
- support graduate students and academic collaborations in food, water, waste and energy nexus for low-carbon circular bioeconomy
- provide a platform for early- and mid-career researchers to meet leaders and experts in the field of circular bioeconomy and relevant areas.
Contact us
To find out more about our project aims and how you can collaborate, email us at s.kafimallak@uq.edu.au.
Symposium program
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
9am–9:15am | Registration |
9:15am–9:30am | Opening remarks by Professor Patrick Moss Head of School |
| 9:30am-10am | Keynote speaker: Professor Robert Speight Director, Advanced Engineering Biology Future Science Platform Adjunct Professor at QUT |
10am–10:30am | Coffee Break and EMCRs networking |
10:30am–10:45am | Presentation 1 +Q&A - (In-person presentation) - Dr. Jennifer Yarnold, Research Fellow, UQ Title: Policy Options for Circular Agri-Food Systems |
10:45am–11am | Presentation 2 + Q&A - (In Person presentation) - Pradeep Murthy, PhD student, University of Sydney Title: Optimising CO2 conversion using ruthenium-based nanocatalysts |
11am–11:15am | Presentation 3 + Q&A - (Online presentation from Canada) - Caitlin D'Onofrio, Researcher Title: How circular economy can be measured and reported for a product, site and organization |
11:15am–11:45am | Keynote speaker 2: Professor Gerhard (Gary) Schenk Title: Cell-free biomanufacturing: an emerging technology in synthetic biology Chair, Engagement & Advancement, Chair, Industry Advisory Board at UQ School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences, UQ Sustainable Minerals Institute affiliate, UQ Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology |
11:45am–12:30pm | Lunch break |
12:30pm–2pm | Training/workshop (1) - Systems Thinking and Dynamics to EMCRs by Dr Russell Richards, UQ Business School |
| 2pm-2:30pm | Coffee break and EMCRs Networking |
2:30pm–2:45pm | Presentation 4 + Q&A - (Online presentation from Indonesia), Dr Didit Okta Pribadi, Researcher, Research Center for Behavioral and Circular Economic - National Research and Innovation Agency Republic of Indonesia (BRIN) Title: Challenges to develop circular bioeconomy in bioresources-based economy country: insights from Indonesia |
2:45pm–3pm | Presentation 5 + Q&A - (In person presentation), Professor Peter Halley, Professor in polymer processing, School of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, UQ Title: Developing sustainable plastics sector: Case study on developing high-performance bioplastics |
3pm–3:30pm | Keynote speaker 3: Professor Robert Henry Director, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, The University of Queensland |
3:30pm–4pm | Break and Networking |
4pm–4:30pm | Keynote speaker 4: Dr Sreedevi Upadhyayula (online) Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India |
4:30pm –4:45pm | Presentation 6 + Q&A - (In person presentation) - Dr Tara Congo, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, UQ Title: Decarbonising the steel industry with biocoke |
| 4:45pm-5pm | Presentation 7+Q&A - (Online presentation from Cyprus/ Greek) - Mr Theoklitos Klitou, Title: Thermochemical Properties and Life Cycle Assessment of Waste-Spent Coffee Grounds |
| 5pm-5:15pm | Closing remarks |
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
9am–9:15am | Registration |
9:15am–9:30am | Opening remark by Dr Anthony (Chair of the symposium), Lecturer in Industrial Ecology and Circular Economy, School of the Environment |
9:30am–10am | Keynote speaker 1: Dr Erin Evans CEO and speaker, Life Science Queensland Title: Driving Sustainable Growth: Biomanufacturing and Circular Economy in Queensland |
10am–10:15am | Presentation 1+Q&A, - (In person presentation) - Dr Anya Phelan, Senior Lecturer in Entrepreneurship & Innovation | Discipline Lead, Department of Business Strategy & Innovation, Griffith Business School Title: Circular Ecosystem Innovation and Inclusive Economic Development in Western Cape York |
10:15am–10:30am | Presentation 2+ Q&A - (In-person presentation)-Yoshinari Fukuzawa, Researcher, UQ Title: Using Life Cycle and Systems Thinking Methods to Support Policy Design for a Decarbonised Circular Agriculture and Bioeconomy: A Review |
10:30am–11am | Coffee break and networking |
11am–11:30am | Keynote speaker 2: Professor Ian O'Hara Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Title: Global and local drivers of the bioeconomy |
11:30am–11:45am | Presentation 3+ Q&A, (Online presentation from Tokyo)- Associate Professor Aziz, The University of Tokyo Title: Toward Realization of Clean Hydrogen Economy: Techno-Economic Perspectives of Clean Hydrogen Production and Transportation) |
11:45am–12pm | Presentation 4+ Q&A, (In person presentation)-Dr Jerome Ramirez, Postdoctoral Research fellow, Queensland University of Technology Title: Pathways to adoption of circular economy technologies in the livestock industry |
12pm–12:15pm | Presentation 5 + Q&A - TBA |
12:15pm–1pm | Lunch break |
1pm–2:30pm | Training/workshop (2): LCA by Associate Professor Wahidul Biswas, Deputy Director, Sustainable Engineering Group, Curtin University |
2:30pm–3pm | Coffee break and EMCRs networking |
3pm–3:45pm | Panel discussion with experts: Topic: Bio-hydrogen and Bioproduct Opportunities to Support Circular Bioeconomy
|
3:45pm–4pm | Presentation 6+Q&A: (Online Presentation from Perth)-Daniela Rivas-Aybar, PhD candidate, Curtin University - Sustainable Engineering Group, Title: Environmental life cycle assessment of a novel hemp-based building material |
| 4pm-4:15pm | Presentation 7+Q&A: (Online presentation from Denmark)-Dr Rodrigo Salvador, Assistant Professor, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Title: Finding Paths for Upcycling Biomass Waste: An Open Innovation Approach |
| 4:15pm-4:45pm | EMCRs networking and coffee break |
| 4:45pm-5pm | Closing remarks |
| 5pm-5:30pm | UQ St Lucia tour |
Post-symposium resources
Post-symposium resources can be accessed via Google Classroom.
Global demand for expertise in net-zero emission, circular economy and bioeconomy to address climate change and energy security issues is ever-growing.
This symposium provides opportunities to build your knowledge of circular bioeconomy and associated fields, network with experts and attend training sessions. The Australian Academy of Science's Theo Murphy Initiative encourages and supports EMCR participation in this symposium.
Over the two days, you’ll learn from experts and keynote speakers, and get the chance to:
- attend workshops and receive training in the interdisciplinary method of systems thinking, modelling and analysis
- build collaborations with established researchers and industry experts in Australia and overseas
- enhance your job opportunities in Australia and overseas.
Submit your abstract
Your abstract:
should be within any of the topic areas listed in this website
should be up to 750 words
will be reviewed for quality (Novel) and importance (meets strategic and economic needs).
Organising committee
UQ School of the Environment
- Dr Anthony Halog (Chair), Lecturer in Industrial Ecology and Circular Economy
- Dr Shadi Kafimallak (Co-Chair), Research Associate
International
- Dr M. Indra Al Irsyad, Researcher, National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia
- Associate Professor Wahidul K. Biswas, Deputy Director, Sustainable Engineering Group, Curtin University
- Dr Ivana Cesarino, São Paulo State University, Brazil
- Dr Rodrigo Salvador, Assistant Professor, Technical University of Denmark
Partners
UQ
- Professor Peter Halley, Professor in polymer processing, School of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology
- Dr Anthony Halog, Lecturer in Industrial Ecology and Circular Economy, School of the Environment
- Dr Shadi Kafimallak, Research Associate, School of the Environment
- Dr Jennifer Yarnold, Research Fellow, Centre for Policy Futures
Australia-wide and international
- Dr Ivana Cesarino, Full Professor, Head of Laboratory RESIDUALL – Laboratory of Solid Residues & Composites, São Paulo State University, Brazil
- Professor Alcides Lopes Leão, Full Professor, Head of Laboratory RESIDUALL – Laboratory of Solid Residues & Composites, São Paulo State University, Brazil
- Professor Abhijit Majumdar, Chair Professor for Decision Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
- Dr Anya Phelan, Senior Lecturer, Department of Business Strategy & Innovation, Griffith University
- Dr Rodrigo Salvador, Assistant Professor, Technical University of Denmark
- Professor Sreedevi Upadhyayula, Chair Professor for Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
- Dr Umi Karomah Yaumidin, Head of Research Center for Behavioural and Circular Economics, National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia
Post-symposium resources
Post-symposium resources can be accessed via Google Classroom.