TRANSFLIGHT at STS conference Graz!

Is green ammonia viable as a fuel for aviation? What can feminist STS perspectives tell us about sustainability transitions in relation to air travel?  What tools are available for reducing air travel emissions of research organizations? – These are only some of the questions explored in the double-session on air travel at the STS conference in Graz on 8 May 2023, featuring a total of eight fascinating contributions. Chaired by TRANSFLIGHT team members Anna Schreuer and Alfred Posch, the session was divided into three parts focusing on (1) demand and supply side perspectives on the decarbonisation of aviation, (2) tools and toolboxes to reduce air travel emissions in research organisations and (3) virtual and hybrid formats as alternatives to air travel in academia and beyond. A substantial part of the discussion focused on academic air travel, and the academic reward systems and conference culture propelling it to higher and higher levels. Several presenters and discussants challenged us to reflect more critically why attending conferences has become so central to academic careers and what alternative practices of academic exchange might look like. As the lively discussions demonstrated, transforming long-distance travel practices, both in academia and beyond, is a multi-faceted challenge that will require further exploration and practical engagement over the next years.