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Call for Academic Abstracts

Fourth Annual RECESS Conference
September 27-29, 2026
Detroit, MI

RECESS welcomes contributions that highlight original research and real-world insights on clean energy, equity, and the regenerative economy. Submissions may include case studies, best practices, pilot results, policy analysis, community-rooted research, or collaborative projects that align with the conference theme and support inclusive clean energy progress. Call for Contributions opens on February 16, 2026.

  • Progress toward a just clean energy future requires us, as a community, to build systems that restore rather than extract. Yet key challenges persist, including inequitable access to clean energy benefits, limited capital for community-led solutions, uneven policy implementation, workforce exclusion, and persistent data and credibility gaps that slow progress. We’re challenging the industry to go beyond sustainability, toward a future that restores, uplifts, and invites communities.

    We encourage you to integrate this year’s theme into your proposal. The RECESS Research & Scholarship Program will elevate evidence-based research and community-centered solutions that strengthen climate resilience and clean energy access in Black, Indigenous, Brown, and other underrepresented communities. Together, we will shape a research agenda that drives collective action and meaningful impact. 

    • Abstracts are limited to a maximum of 250 words

    • While alignment with this year’s theme is strongly encouraged, submissions that fall slightly outside its scope will still be considered. 

    • All abstracts must be submitted electronically through the conference’s abstract submission system.

    • Only complete submissions will be considered for review; please ensure that all required abstract components are included at the time of submission.

    • A confirmation email will be automatically sent to the primary contact once the abstract has been successfully submitted.

  • Podium presentation 

    • Offered as in-person concurrent sessions at the conference venue.
       

    • Individual podium presentations are allotted 20 minutes: 15 minutes for presentation/5 minutes for Q&A.
       

    • Up to three podium presentations are grouped around a similar topic to develop a 60-minute session.

    Poster presentation 

    • Offered in-person at the conference venue.

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    • Posters will remain on display throughout the conference, with scheduled presentation times.

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    • Posters are presented one poster per poster board. 
       

    • All posters should be oriented in landscape format and must not exceed 48" W x 36" H.

  • Alignment with the conference theme:

    • Does the submission clearly engage with the core ideas of a regenerative economy, including resilience, shared value, and collective empowerment?

    Relevance to sustainability and equity:

    • Does the submission contribute to advancing a just and inclusive clean energy transition, address systemic barriers in sustainability, or highlight opportunities that expand access and benefits for historically underrepresented communities in the clean energy economy?

    Clarity and structure:

    • Is the submission well-organized and easy to follow? Is the language clear, concise, and accessible, with specialized terms appropriately explained?

  • Call for abstracts opens
    March 2nd, 2026
    Call for abstracts closes
    May 4th, 2026
    Acceptance notifications sent to presenters
    June 1st, 2026
    Schedule + presenter guidance released
    August 3rd, 2026
    Presenters paired with RECESS ambassadors
    September 1st, 2026
    Research and poster sessions live
    September 27 - September 29, 2026

Submit an abstract:

Proposal Type
Presentation Preference
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