Best Paper in Sustainability Awards & Presentation Awards

This conference is dedicated to honoring outstanding research presentations that drive innovation in thermal treatment and resource recovery—with a focus on sustainability, materials circularity, and decarbonization. The following awards will be presented at the conference closing ceremony to recognize exceptional contributions from researchers at different career stages.

Award Categories

“BEST PAPER IN SUSTAINABILITY” AWARD

The call for the “Best Paper in Sustainability” Award is open to all papers related to sustainability that will be presented (in-person or remotely) at the upcoming 2nd T2R2 Conference. Authors must clearly demonstrate how their paper contributes to Material Sustainability or Resource Circularity.

The awarded paper will receive an APC waiver for submission to the Nature Journal npj “Material Sustainability”, which focuses on advancing innovative research related to sustainable material solutions and circular economy practices, addressing Sustainable Development Goal 12: “Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.” The paper must be in line with the aim and scope of the journal (npj “Material Sustainability”) and will need to be reviewed again before being considered publishable.

Interested participants should complete the required form and submit their applications:

2nd T2R2 “Best Paper in Sustainability” Award

Deadline for Applications: Monday, 1st December 2025.

The paper will be evaluated by an expert committee, considering the review scores and comments received. The prize will be announced and awarded during the closing ceremony at the end of the conference.

Best Presentation Award (Student)

This award recognizes the best presentation delivered by a student participant, highlighting academic excellence and strong communication of research in thermal treatment and resource recovery.

Eligibility: Open to undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students who present their research at the conference.
Judging Criteria:
- Scientific contribution and originality of the research.
- Presentation delivery and engagement with the audience.
- Clarity and quality of the presentation (e.g., structure, visual aids).
Prizes: Certificate of achievement + book vouchers for awardees to select Springer books from the Nature Profile.
Application Deadline: Monday, 17th December 2025

Best Presentation Award (Early-Career Researcher)

This award is dedicated to early-career researchers who demonstrate exceptional presentation skills and conduct impactful research in thermal treatment and resource recovery.

Eligibility: Open to researchers who completed their PhD within the last 5 years.
Judging Criteria:
- Innovation and relevance of the research to thermal treatment and resource recovery.
- Impact of the research on advancing the field.
- Quality and clarity of the presentation.
Prizes: Certificate of achievement + book vouchers for awardees to select Springer books from the Nature Profile.
Application Deadline: Wednesday, 17th December 2025

Best Presentation in Sustainability Award

This award honors the most outstanding presentation focused on sustainability innovations in thermal treatment and resource recovery.

Eligibility: Open to all participants presenting research related to sustainable practices in thermal treatment systems.
Judging Criteria:
- Significant contribution to advancing sustainability in thermal treatment processes.
- Clear practical applications that promote environmental sustainability.
- Quality and clarity of the presentation delivery.
Prizes: Certificate of achievement + book vouchers for awardees to select Springer books from the Nature Profile.
Application Deadline: Wednesday, 17th December 2025

Best Presentation in Materials Circularity Award

This award celebrates presentations that excel in exploring materials circularity—including reuse, recycling, and sustainable material use—in thermal treatment systems.

Eligibility: Open to all participants presenting research related to materials circularity in thermal treatment.
Judging Criteria:
- Originality and significance of the research in advancing materials circularity.
- Impact on promoting sustainable material management in thermal treatment.
- Quality and clarity of the presentation delivery.
Prizes: Certificate of achievement + book vouchers for awardees to select Springer books from the Nature Profile.
Application Deadline: Wednesday, 17th December 2025

Best Presentation in Decarbonization Technology Award

This award highlights groundbreaking research and presentations on decarbonization technologies that reduce carbon emissions in thermal treatment processes.

Eligibility: Open to all participants presenting research focused on decarbonization strategies in thermal treatment and resource recovery.
Judging Criteria:
- Innovation and potential real-world impact of the decarbonization technologies.
- Contribution to achieving net-zero goals in thermal treatment.
- Clarity and quality of the presentation.
Prizes: Certificate of achievement + book vouchers for awardees to select Springer books from the Nature Profile.
Application Deadline: Monday, 17th December 2025

Key Information

Evaluation Body: All awards will be judged by an independent panel of international experts with deep expertise in thermal treatment, resource recovery, sustainability, and related fields.
Award Ceremony: Winners will be announced and recognized during the conference closing session (specific time to be updated in the final conference agenda).
Publication Opportunity: Selected award-winning papers will be invited to submit to the npj journal Materials Sustainability with a fast-track peer review process (subject to the journal’s scope and editorial standards).
Inquiries: For questions about award eligibility, submission requirements, or deadlines, please contact the awards committee at t2r2@ust.hk.