Resources for the Future 2d ago

The global clean energy transition is increasing demand for critical minerals, but many countries face supply chain challenges. Over the academic year of 2025-2026, a group of 16 PhD students studying critical mineral policies for the clean energy transition participated in the second year of RFF’s Critical Minerals Research Lab examining many of these challenges. The lab provides a space for interdisciplinary research on many issues related to critical minerals supply chains—including issues around mineral governance, industrial policy, community benefits, battery circularity, and much more. In this year’s Critical Minerals Research Lab Conference, the students showcased four collaborative research projects that the students have undertaken over the course of the academic year. These projects covered a variety of policy-relevant topics, both within domestic discussions and beyond. View the event page for speaker information: https://www.rff.org/events/webinars/2026-critical-minerals-research-lab-conference/ Presentation List: Session #1: “Friend-Shoring Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) Batteries under Material Assistance Cost Ratio (MACR) Rules: Exploring Feasibility Scenarios” Madeline Craig-Scheckman(Opens in New Tab), Northeastern University Trissanne Keen(Opens in New Tab), University Of Michigan Terry Zhang(Opens in New Tab), Cornell University Sarasadat Alavi(Opens in New Tab), University of Texas, Arlington Discussant: Peter Trousdale(Opens in New Tab), Associate Policy Fellow, Regional Programs, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions Session #2: “Rethinking Critical Mineral Narratives” Jordan Calderon(Opens in New Tab), Colorado School of Mines Simon Duex(Opens in New Tab), UC Davis Thomas Hale(Opens in New Tab), University of Delaware Nate Dolton-Thornton(Opens in New Tab), UC Berkeley Discussant: Alissa Kendall(Opens in New Tab), Director, UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies, Ray B. Krone Endowed Professor of Environmental Engineering, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Davis Session #3: “Rewriting the Ground Rules: How Countries are Streamlining Mine Development for the Energy Transition” Savannah Carr-Wilson(Opens in New Tab), Duke University Chrissie Pantoja(Opens in New Tab), Duke University Umama Rahman(Opens in New Tab), Oregon State University Lorena de la Puente Burlando(Opens in New Tab), UCLA Discussant: Aaron Malone(Opens in New Tab), Research Assistant Professor, Colorado School of Mines Session #4: “Reshoring and Value Capture in Latin America: What’s the Opportunity?” America Quinteros Condoretty(Opens in New Tab), LUT University Emilia Ravetta(Opens in New Tab), Colorado State University Jason Yao(Opens in New Tab), Carnegie Mellon University Victor Freret(Opens in New Tab), Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro Discussant: Thea Riofrancos(Opens in New Tab), Associate Professor of Political Science, Providence College Related blog post: “Argentina Needs a Better Strategy to Benefit from Its Mineral Resources(Opens in New Tab)”