Reflections from the NEST conference 2025

Whose voices are heard when we talk about sustainability?
In a powerful new blog, Kanika Balani and Carla Douglas González reflect on what it means to centre equity and justice not only in theory, but in practice.

Held al the University of Sussex Business School with contribution from the EDRC Flexible Fund, the 10th Annual NEST – Network of Early Career Researchers in Sustainability Transitions (NEST) Conference prioritised inclusion, especially of scholars from the Global South. But despite months of planning, visa support, and financial assistance, many faced barriers, denied entry, delayed approvals, or were forced to navigate stressful, costly bureaucracies.

Their stories highlight a hard truth: mobility is not equal. Visa and passport privilege still determine who gets to participate in global dialogues and whose knowledge is validated. That’s why they call for a more just and inclusive academic space with help from institutions and funders.

Read the full blog: https://lnkd.in/d9hy56Qp