From February 27 to March 2, Göttingen became a hub of ideas, discussions, and action as students from across Europe gathered for the ENLIGHT Student Conference.
This year’s focus? Sustainability and inclusivity — topics that shape our present and define our future. Both topics align with the ENLIGHT flagships of climate change and equity.
One of the hottest debates tackled greenwashing—how companies trick consumers into believing they’re more eco-friendly than they actually are. From misleading carbon offset programs to deceptive eco-labels, students explored how to recognize and combat these practices.
But it wasn’t just talk — the Recycled Runway challenged participants to create fashion from waste, proving that sustainability can be as creative as it is necessary. Meanwhile, the Potluck community kitchen project showed that sustainable living starts with simple, shared experiences.
Inclusivity took center stage as well, with a deep dive into the power of language. Through debates and hands-on exercises, students uncovered how everyday words shape social norms, reinforce biases, and influence belonging.
Workshops like Consent, Boundaries, and Autonomy, Active Bystander Training, and Inclusion Toolkits provided practical skills for making academic and social spaces more inclusive.
But the conference wasn’t just about theory. The challenges of transdisciplinary research—power dynamics, funding gaps, and collaboration struggles—sparked crucial conversations about how different fields can work together effectively.
The takeaway? Success lies in fostering collaboration, embracing openness, and recognizing both strengths and limitations across disciplines.
Beyond workshops and panel discussions, the conference provided a platform for networking, spontaneous conversations, and fresh ideas.
After days of big ideas and bold discussions, Sunday morning shifted the focus to strategy and next steps. At the ENLIGHT SN Meeting, in the beginning, students split into two groups—Community and Governance—each diving into key challenges.
The Community group focused on keeping student engagement structured and consistent. Social media strategies were also discussed, with plans for a stronger online presence and a more unified approach.
Reviewing the conference, students pushed for better leadership structure, earlier planning, and improved training on the Code of Conduct to ensure diversity and inclusion remain a priority.
Meanwhile, the Governance team focused on maintaining and expanding the SN’s presence in all Work packages.
In a joint session, the SN also voted on a new logo, aligning with the broader rebranding of ENLIGHT. The decision marks a fresh visual identity for the student network, symbolizing its evolving role and growing impact.
With momentum high, planning for ENLIGHT 2026 in Tartu is already in motion, focusing on better organization, stronger participation, and greater impact.
A huge thank you to the Conference Committee for making the event not just well-organized, but also truly welcoming. Their commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) ensured that every participant felt valued.
The ENLIGHT Student Conference 2025 wasn’t just another academic event—it was a step toward real change. And with Göttingen’s momentum, all eyes are now on Tartu 2026.
Below is the complete list of workshops and speakers.
Harm Verbeek – Groningen – Green Office Groningen: Greenwashing workshop
Dimitrios Symeonidis – Tartu – Reimagining Digital Transformation Ecosystems as Catalysts of
the Triple Transition: Build Your Dream Smart City!
Michele Iannuzzo, Helen Pérez, Vera Imhof and Marita Jäger – Bern – World Café: Transdisciplinary and Context Sensitive Research for Sustainability Transformations
Molly Hickey & Peter O'Neill – Galway-Sustainable Events: How to Get People Engaged and Excited About Sustainability
Birgit Eggink – Groningen – Active Bystander Training
Femke Beutels – Ghent – Inclusive Language and Communication
Elfi Aliyeva – Tartu – Inclusion Toolkits: Building Inclusive Communities for International Students
Shuting Yin – Uppsala – Food as a Bridge: Exploring Cultural Inclusion and Global Connections
(Image credit: Emilia Hesse, Göttingen, March 2025)
