Energy transitions in an interdependent world: what and where are the future social science research agendas?
Thursday 25th and Friday 26th February 2010
The Sussex Energy Group within SPRU (Science & Technology Policy Research) at The University of Sussex undertakes academically rigorous, inter-disciplinary research that engages with policy-makers and practitioners. The aim of our research is to identify ways of achieving the transition to sustainable, low carbon energy systems whilst addressing other important policy objectives such as energy security. Our core support is from an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) five year grant but we also have funding from a diverse array of other sources. Additionally we are a core partner in the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and part of the UK Energy Research Centre.
The timing of this conference was designed to coincide with the end of our current core funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) which expires in March 2010 and the theme of the conference was designed to reflect the fact that our group is embarking on a new phase characterised by projects and funding from a more diverse array of sources, compared to the situation during the period of our ESRC core funding. 100 delegates from 12 countries took part in the conference which was held over two days at The University of Sussex - Thursday 25th and Friday 26th February 2010.
The first day and a half of the conference were devoted to presentations from a diverse array of energy social scientists. The conference programme and the presentations themselves can be accessed below. Also available below are the papers written by the presenters in support of their talks should you wish for more detail and context than a presentation can provide in the absence of an oratory! Following a lovely meal on the evening of Thursday 25th February 2010 at the renowned vegetarian restaurant Terre-a-Terre in Brighton city centre, the conference culminated in a fascinating discussion on the afternoon of Friday 26th February 2010 about, not surprisingly given the name of the conference, 'future directions in energy social science research'. The transcript of that discussion can also be found below.
To those colleagues who joined us for this conference, thanks again for coming, it was great to see you all! To other colleagues who did not attend but are interested in the proceedings of this event, we hope you find the resources below interesting, stimulating, provocative and most importantly, pertinent to the current energy challenges we're facing and need to face nationally, internationally and transnationally.
Sussex Energy Group Conference programme.
Friday's discussion transcript