HyAcademy.EU at SUSTAIN UnConference: Connecting Hydrogen Education with Sustainability

The SUSTAIN UnConference, held at the University of Birmingham on 17 September 2026, brought together educators, businesses, local authorities and community organisations to explore practical responses to sustainability challenges. The event focused on exchanging experience, encouraging collaboration and identifying actions that participants could take forward.

Participants shaped the agenda by proposing sustainability questions. Organisers grouped related questions into discussion topics, with 12 discussions taking place simultaneously. Attendees could move between groups and contribute to several conversations within each session. This approach kept the discussions relevant to participants’ priorities and created opportunities to explore future collaboration.

Bertz Associates promoted HyAcademy.EU and shared its educational work with attendees. Discussions highlighted the importance of hydrogen education across Europe and the practical challenges of introducing new content into already busy curricula. These conversations addressed how educators can introduce hydrogen topics within existing teaching commitments. Hydrogen Pigeon mascot stickers attracted particular interest and drew attention to the HyAcademy.EU school book, Katy and the Hydrogen Pigeon Fly Towards a Better Future. Attendees responded positively to the character’s potential to make hydrogen education fun and engaging for students. The materials provided a starting point for discussing approaches to hydrogen learning in schools.