Global clean energy experts converge for Oxford Symposium
The September 7, 2026, symposium is focusing on how stronger international research partnerships can turn scientific evidence and innovation into practical solutions that support economic growth, improve climate resilience and expand access to affordable and reliable energy.
The gathering comes as countries face growing pressure to accelerate energy transitions while ensuring that clean energy solutions respond to local needs. (File photo)
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Leading academics, policymakers, innovators and industry experts have gathered at the University of Oxford to strengthen international research partnerships aimed at expanding access to clean energy and addressing growing climate and energy challenges.
The experts are meeting under the Ayrton-Oxford Academic Symposium, convened by the UK Government’s Ayrton Fund, the Africa-Oxford Initiative (AfOx), the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Transforming Energy Access Learning Partnership (TEA-LP) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
The September 7, 2026, symposium is focusing on how stronger international research partnerships can turn scientific evidence and innovation into practical solutions that support economic growth, improve climate resilience and expand access to affordable and reliable energy.
The gathering comes as countries face growing pressure to accelerate energy transitions while ensuring that clean energy solutions respond to local needs.
Organisers say closer cooperation between universities, innovators, policymakers and investors is critical to moving promising research from laboratories and academic institutions into communities and markets.
The Ayrton-supported programmes have so far improved access to clean energy for sh46m people across emerging economies, leveraged more than £3 billion in public and private finance and supported more than 256,000 green jobs.
Professor Sir John Edmunds, the Chief Scientific Adviser at the FCDO, is expected to deliver the keynote address, highlighting the role of partnerships between UK institutions and researchers in developing countries.
The symposium is also expected to examine how international collaboration can strengthen research capacity and support energy transitions that are both sustainable and equitable.
African researchers and institutions are expected to play a central role in discussions, with organisers emphasising the importance of locally led research rather than approaches where developing countries are treated only as recipients of technology and expertise.
Professor Kevin Marsh, Director of the Africa Oxford Initiative, said African researchers will be critical in developing solutions to global challenges such as energy access and green transitions.
“Turning research into real-world impact requires collaboration across research, innovation and investment.”
The Transforming Energy Access Learning Partnership, which is supporting the event, works with more than 32 universities and stakeholders across Africa, South Asia and the Pacific Islands.
Jiska de Groot, Project Lead at TEA-LP, said equitable partnerships should enable researchers in Africa, Asia and the Indo-Pacific to lead research agendas that address challenges in their own communities.
“Such partnerships should also help institutions train future energy leaders and influence how clean-energy solutions are designed and implemented,” she emphasised.
Examples from participating universities show how the partnerships are already influencing education. At Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Nigeria, TEA-LP support has contributed to curriculum changes, including practical courses on local energy solutions and appliances for off-grid communities.
The partnership has also helped researchers expand their networks and strengthen their capacity to secure research funding.
The symposium is taking place as the second phase of the UK Government's Ayrton Fund gets underway. The first phase, running from 2021 to 2026, supported 40 UK-funded programmes involving more than 1,000 partners worldwide.
The second phase is expected to run until 2030, continuing support for clean-energy research, innovation and demonstration in emerging economies.
The wider Transforming Energy Access programme has also received an £88 million extension until 2031, aimed at continuing support for innovations that can accelerate access to affordable and clean energy across developing regions.