Energy and Development (922N1)

15 credits, Level 7 (Masters)

Spring teaching

The module will examine the substantive energy policy challenges faced by developing countries, including increasing energy access, reducing energy poverty and improving energy security. Integrating orthodox perspectives on energy policy with insights from innovation studies and socio-technical approaches, the course will explore the implications for development of notions such as lock-in, path dependency and leapfrogging. Building on this conceptual framework, the course will critically engage with academic and policy debates on topics such as low carbon development, technology transfer and carbon markets; all of which are intended to play roles in helping developing countries achieve development objectives while establishing sustainable energy systems. 

This module will enable you to:

• critically engage with contemporary academic and policy debates on energy policy and development 
• demonstrate a systematic understanding of the tensions and complementarities between energy policy and sustainable development in a developing-country context 
• analyse the roles of technology and innovation in energy for development 
• demonstrate a critical awareness of the advantages and disadvantages of orthodox and alternative approaches to energy policy in developing countries. 

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 33 hours of contact time and about 117 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.