Climate Resilience and Sustainable Rural Transformation: Solutions for the Asia-Pacific

Convenors:  A/Prof Leonie Pearson (University of Canberra), Prof Xunpeng Shi (University of Technology Sydney), Prof Yu Sheng (Australian National University) and Prof Christopher Findlay (Australian National University)
Date:  10 February 2026, 9:00am – 4:00pm

​Workshop Description
This workshop directly addresses the AARES 2026 conference theme by positioning Rural Transformation (RT) as the core engine of change across the Asia-Pacific’s energy, agri-food, and environmental systems. RT is defined as a dynamic process where rural economies diversify, incomes rise, and rural populations gain improved access to services, infrastructure, and opportunities. This process is essential for enhancing well-being, reducing poverty, and fostering inclusive, resilient rural communities. Crucially, RT represents a critical pathway for Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by leveraging agricultural development (AD) and broader structural transformation (ST). Furthermore, the pattern, path, and outcome of RT are deeply intertwined with Energy Transitions (ETs), encompassing shifts from traditional fuels to modern clean fuels, and from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
However, progress is threatened by a “triple challenge” of climate change, resource scarcity, and geopolitical conflict, which jeopardizes food security and rural livelihoods across the region. Overcoming these hurdles requires timely and targeted interventions, including investment in climate-smart technologies, resilient infrastructure, efficient resource management, and fair global markets. While significant research exists on RT, there remains a need for a deeper, comparative understanding of the diverse pathways developing economies can take and the specific policy levers that can accelerate progress.
This full-day workshop will bring together leading scholars from the Asia, Australia, and the United States to address these knowledge gaps. We will examine the complex interplay between technological innovation, resource management, and global trade in shaping sustainable rural futures. The workshop will foster knowledge exchange, identify collaborative research opportunities, and lay the groundwork for a proposed Special Issue in the Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AJARE).
 
Workshop format and presenters
We propose a full-day workshop featuring a keynote address, four thematic sessions with presentations from invited experts, and a concluding roundtable discussion to synthesize key takeaways and outline future collaboration.

Tentative Program Outline

Time	Session	Presenters
09:00–09:30	Opening Remarks & Keynote Address	Prof. Christopher Findlay (Australian National University)
09:30–10:00	Roundtable Discussion	All invited speakers
10:00–10:40	Session 1: Challenges under Climate Change: Technology and R&D Solutions Host: Prof. Tiho Ancev (University of Sydney)	Prof. Tiho Ancev (University of Sydney) Prof. Yu Yvette Zhang (Texas A&M University)
10:40–10:50	**Coffee Break**	(10-minute networking break)
10:50–11:30	Session 2: Inclusiveness and Sustainability in Rural Areas Host: Assoc. Prof. Leonie Pearson (University of Canberra)	Prof. Leonie Pearson (University of Canberra) Prof. Huangguang Qiu (Liaoning University)
11:30–12:10	Session 3: Energy and Resource Management Host: Prof. Xunpeng Shi (University of Technology Sydney)	Prof. Xunpeng Shi (University of Technology Sydney) Prof. David Stern (Australian National University)
12:10–14:00	**Lunch Break**	-
14:00–14:40	Session 4: Policy Analysis, and General Equilibrium Host: Prof. Yu Sheng (Australian National University)	Prof. Yu Sheng (Australian National University) Prof. Yu Liu (Peking University)
14:40–15:30	Session 5: Pathways to Rural Transformation: Country Case Studies (China, Vietnam, and Mongolia) Host: Prof. Christopher Findlay (Australian National University)	Prof. Liangliang Gao (Chinese Academy of Social Sciences) Dr. Jie Chen (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences) (We will also invite representative from Vietnam)
15:30–16:10	Session 6: Special Issue Paper Pitches	8 participants (that we might choose later) will present in 5 minutes, their pitch for a paper to be submitted to a special issue.

Note: Presentations are subject to changes and will be confirmed and updated shortly.

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​Organizing Committee (Chairs)

• Prof. Yu Sheng – Australian National University

yu.sheng@anu.edu.au

• Prof. Tiho Ancev – University of Sydney

tiho.ancev@sydney.edu.au

• Assoc. Prof. Leonie Pearson – University of Canberra

Leonie.Pearson@canberra.edu.au
 
Invited Presenters

• Prof. Christopher Findlay – Australian National University

christopher.findlay@anu.edu.au

• Prof. Huanguang Qiu – Renmin University of China

(Email to be updated)

• Prof. Liangliang Gao – Chinese Academy of Social Sciences & University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

(Email to be updated)

• Prof. Xunpeng Shi – University of Technology Sydney

Xunpeng.Shi@uts.edu.au

• Prof. Yu Liu – (Peking University)

yu.liu@pku.edu.cn

• Prof. Yu Yvette Zhang – Texas A&M University

yzhang@tamu.edu

• Dr. Jieying Bi – Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences

(Email to be update)

• Dr. Jie Chen – Research Center for Rural Economy, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, PRC.

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Anticipated Outcomes

• Strengthened academic and policy networks across the Asia–Pacific on rural transformation.
• Identification of priority research questions and collaborative project opportunities.
• Enhanced understanding of policy and technology interventions to address rural sustainability challenges.
• Contributions to a Special Issue in AJARE, disseminating findings to a global audience.
• A social event for all participants is planned, with the specific format to be determined.