Sustainable Ecological Engineering Design for Society (SEEDS) 2026
THEME: Looking at 2026 through the eyes of 2015: Intelligence beyond technology
GEDU House - Stratford, London, UK
01, 02 & 03 September 2026*
*01 - online, 02 & 03 - in-person
Download our flyer here: SEEDS Call for abstracts 2026.pdf
Tickets on sale soon.
Eleven years have passed since the international Sustainable Ecological Engineering Design for Society (SEEDS) conference was first held by the Leeds Sustainability Institute’s centre of research in 2015. SEEDS sustained its longstanding aim to promote research on how to reduce negative impacts on the environment while providing for the health and wellbeing of the society. However, even these many years can not explain the significant growth seen (and yet to be seen) in 2026, which is mostly attributed to inventive processes, models of artificial intelligence, and advancements in technology. Often more than not, the race for change is associated with a widespread neglect for sustainable practices, and much uncertainty resides in the impact on both, the environment, and the people, being and continuing to be driven by such a race to artificial intelligence dominance.
Amidst a change of technological advancements, we now yet again find ourselves overlooking various scenarios that challenge the core tenets of Sustainable Ecological Engineering Design for Society. The rise of artificial intelligence needs to be navigated in ways not to cause the intellectual defeat of the human individuals forming industries’ social systems, nor to the sustainability commitments to our environment.
This year we ask...
What are the perspectives of artificial intelligence from sustainability and social impact? How can research deepen the depth of our (as yet elusive) understanding of the rate of advancements against our ability to meet our environmental and societal commitments? And most importantly, how can AI help us (or slow us) from achieving these goals?
This question will be critically investigated in this conference by trying to reach sensible answers to some of the complex questions, for, as Professor Stephen Hawking worded it many years back, “the rise of powerful AI will either be the best or the worst thing ever to happen to humanity. We do not yet know which” .
To advance these arguments, the conference themes will encompass:
- Technological Influence on Sustainability: The impact of technological advancements on sustainable practices and behaviours.
- Technology and policy: The changes in policy and their role in challenging existing traditional practices in housing building, ecological engineering, and market powers on sustainability adoption.
- Technological Decisions and Indecisions: Adverse effects of artificial intelligence and inactions on (or neglection of) ecological engineering and sustainability.
- Contextual Sustainability Narratives: Narratives that align longstanding sustainability goals with existing technological priorities.
- Interdisciplinary Exploration of Sustainability: Sustainability and ecological engineering through diverse perspectives and tailored approaches.
Key Dates
| Call for abstract submissions | 19 January 2026 |
| Abstract submission deadline | 16 February 2026 |
| Notification deadline | 13 March 2026 |
| Paper submission deadline | 01 May 2026 |
| Notification on full paper | 25 May 2026 |
| Final paper submission deadline | 15 June 2026 |
Audience
The SEEDS community is a confluence of experienced and early career researchers from across the world and from diverse disciplines.
This melting pot encourages exciting conversations and opportunities to collaborate.
Members of the SEEDS community, who have met during previous years of the conference, are now working on projects and submitting research papers together.
Submissions are encouraged from researchers at all levels, including doctoral students.
So, if you're passionate about your research and eager to connect with a diverse community of like-minded individuals, the International SEEDS conference is for you.
Conference Chairs
| Dr Ali Saad | Loughborough University |
| Professor Chris Gorse | Loughborough University |
| Professor Saheed Ajayi | Leeds Beckett University |
| Professor Colin Booth | University of the West of England, Bristol |
| Professor Darryl Newport | University of Suffolk |
| Dr Alison Pooley | University of Suffolk |
| Professor Mohammad Dastbaz | MLA College |
Accommodation and Travel
This year, the committee universities (Leeds Beckett University, Loughborough University, University of Suffolk and University of the West of England, Bristol) are collaborating with MLA College, GEDU and Cifal to deliver the International SEEDS Conference 2026.
The SEEDS conference will be hosted at GEDU House in Stratford - a modern and vibrant area of East London. Stratford is home to one of London’s best-connected stations, with a network of tube trains, buses and long distance trains heading to Central London and beyond.
The RISE Awards and gala dinner will be hosted at One Birdcage Walk, an elegant venue in Westminster overlooking the beautiful St James's Park.
If arriving internationally, London City Airport is only 4 miles from Stratford and both Stansted Airport and Heathrow Airport are within approx. 30 miles. There are plenty of accommodation options within the Stratford vicinity including the following:
There are plenty of accommodation options within the Stratford vicinity including the following:
- Travelodge London Stratford (<0.1 miles)
- Holiday Inn Express London - Stratford (0.1 miles)
- Yotelpad London Stratford (0.5 miles)
- IBIS London Stratford (0.5 miles)
Format and Pricing
The conference will follow a hybrid delivery model. The first day of the conference (1 September) will be online only and the following two days (2 and 3 September) will be held in-person at GEDU House - Stratford, London.
There will be a gala dinner and the RISE awards ceremony hosted at One Birdcage Walk, Westminster on the evening of the 2nd September which you are welcome to attend as part of the full conference pricing option.
| Full conference (1,2,3 September & Gala Dinner) | In-person day only (2 or 3 September) | Online only (1 September) | |
| Standard Early Bird (on or before 1st July 2026) | £350 | £200 | £150 |
| Student Early Bird (on or before 1st July 2026) | £200 | £125 | £100 |
| Standard | £450 | £250 | £200 |
| Student | £300 | £175 | £150 |
Watch this space to find out when tickets will be on sale...
Abstracts
Themes for Abstracts
- AI for Building and Environment Design
- Energy-Efficient Modelling, Simulation and BIM
- Integrating Urban and Natural Environments
- Building Performance Analysis and Evaluation
- Green Technologies and Sustainable IT Systems
- Renewable Energy
- Studying Energy Behaviour and Lifestyle with AI
- Occupant Behavioural Analysis and Change
- Human energy-use patterns
- Behavioural studies
- Energy-saving strategies.
- Project Management
- Circular economy
- Consequences of AI on people
- AI energy/material demands and impacts
- Sustainability, Ethics and Responsibility
- Community Building AI in the built environment
- Copyright and Intellectual Property Issues in AI and data/content ownership
SEEDS is interested in sustainability in the broadest sense and will consider all papers related to the built and natural environment and processes related to operating within the sector.
More information here: SEEDS Call for abstracts 2026.pdf
Contact us
Please email any queries to LSIConference@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
If you have already submitted an abstract/paper, please ensure you include your Paper ID in all correspondence.
We aim to reply within 3-5 working days (the University is closed on bank holidays and weekends).