Call for expressions of interest – climate negotiation simulation 2026
The call for expressions of interest from academic leads to take part in our annual climate negotiation simulation event for students is now open. We’re pleased to once again convene the event in partnership with Chatham House. Chatham House is a world-leading policy institute with a mission to help governments and societies build a sustainably secure, prosperous and just world. The event will take place on Monday 16 November 2026 at Chatham House.
We are inviting universities from across the UK to take part in this year’s simulation, alongside participants from Chatham House’s Common Futures Conversations and Chatham House interns, both part of The Queen Elizabeth II Academy for Leadership and the Next Generation.
The simulation aims to raise awareness of the international politics of climate change. It reproduces the Conference to the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This year’s simulation will occur in parallel with COP31 taking place in Turkey during the month of November. At the simulation students represent one of the ‘parties’ (i.e. states) that have signed up to current international agreements on climate change (for instance, the Paris Agreement of 2015 and the Glasgow Climate Pact of 2021). They will negotiate statements on issues central to international climate politics – such as mitigation, adaptation and climate finance.
The simulation is overseen by Mark Webber, Professor of International Politics at the University of Birmingham and former BISA President. It provides an opportunity for hands-on, experiential learning, and delegates will get a taste of what it is like to participate in international bargaining and negotiation.
Participating universities will be able to send 2 or 4 students each, depending on the demand for places (please indicate your preference on the expression of interest form). The students should be undergraduate or taught postgraduate (not doctoral). Each university can also send an academic lead if they wish, but this is not required. Chatham House will host the simulation, and refreshments will be provided throughout the day as well as lunch. A keynote speaker will be announced once the participants have been confirmed.
If your institution would like to take part, please complete the expression of interest form by the deadline of 18 October 2026 at 11.59pm(UK time). You must be from an institution based in the UK. If you are a member of the Common Futures Conversations community or a Chatham House intern, you will hear directly from the Academy regarding a separate application process.
Following the call deadline, we will let successful universities know by the end of Tuesday 20 October, and a Zoom meeting for academic leads from each participating university and Chatham House will be held on Wednesday 21 October at 2.30pm to provide further details. Please put this in your diary when making your expression of interest.
A Zoom meeting for participating students will be held on Monday 11 November at 2.30pm. We strongly encourage academic leads to consider their student recruitment process for the simulation prior to closure of the call.
