The Sustainable Innovation Challenge
Event details
| Date | 05.03.2026 › 06.03.2026 |
| Location |
Rolex Learning Center
|
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
Description:
The Sustainable Innovation Challenge (SIC) returns to EPFL on 5–6 March 2026. This two-day event brings together students, researchers, start-ups and industry experts to explore innovative solutions to major sustainability challenges. The programme includes conferences, interactive workshops, a project exhibition, and a student challenge bringing together teams from different European universities, followed by a prize ceremony.
Program:
Thursday 5th of March
9:00–10:00: Interactive workshops on systemic thinking and project pitching (for the teams)
10:00–13:00: Academic Citizens Assembly with SPAN – Topic: Governance and technology for society
13:30–14:30: Science communication workshop with SPAN
14:30–16:30: Sustainable Innovation Challenge – Systemic Debate: teams will present their projects from a systemic sustainability perspective, followed by a Q&A session during which they will be evaluated by three expert jury members.
Friday 6 March
8:30–10:00: Activity – Forest pedagogy and challenge-based learning with Prof. Jerylee Wilkes-Allemann
10:00–11:00: Seminar on symbiotic living, well-being and sustainable lifestyles with Prof. Taryn Mead
12:00–13:00: Sustainable Innovation Challenge – Team pitches: teams will pitch their projects in 3–4 minutes to “sell” their ideas. During this phase, the audience and three industry judges will assess the feasibility and potential impact of each project.
16:00–17:00: Seminar on the relationship between technologies, rights and society with Prof. Brayan Ford
17:00–18:00: Announcement of the winning team and distribution of prizes
Register for the activities using the registration link !
The Sustainable Innovation Challenge (SIC) returns to EPFL on 5–6 March 2026. This two-day event brings together students, researchers, start-ups and industry experts to explore innovative solutions to major sustainability challenges. The programme includes conferences, interactive workshops, a project exhibition, and a student challenge bringing together teams from different European universities, followed by a prize ceremony.
Program:
Thursday 5th of March
9:00–10:00: Interactive workshops on systemic thinking and project pitching (for the teams)
10:00–13:00: Academic Citizens Assembly with SPAN – Topic: Governance and technology for society
13:30–14:30: Science communication workshop with SPAN
14:30–16:30: Sustainable Innovation Challenge – Systemic Debate: teams will present their projects from a systemic sustainability perspective, followed by a Q&A session during which they will be evaluated by three expert jury members.
Friday 6 March
8:30–10:00: Activity – Forest pedagogy and challenge-based learning with Prof. Jerylee Wilkes-Allemann
10:00–11:00: Seminar on symbiotic living, well-being and sustainable lifestyles with Prof. Taryn Mead
12:00–13:00: Sustainable Innovation Challenge – Team pitches: teams will pitch their projects in 3–4 minutes to “sell” their ideas. During this phase, the audience and three industry judges will assess the feasibility and potential impact of each project.
16:00–17:00: Seminar on the relationship between technologies, rights and society with Prof. Brayan Ford
17:00–18:00: Announcement of the winning team and distribution of prizes
Register for the activities using the registration link !
Links
Practical information
- General public
- Registration required
Organizer
- The Sustainable Innovation Challenge (SIC)
Contact
- Emilia Dana Siebert, Pamela Sampaa Afaki