ERSS SSH IMAGINARIES R2 REVISED CLEAN 141220_accepted version.pdf (520.96 kB)
Alternative energy imaginaries: implications for energy research, policy integration and the transformation of energy systems
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 23:23 authored by Audley Genus, Marfuga IskandarovaMarfuga Iskandarova, Gary Goggins, Frances Fahy, Senja LaaksoThe paper highlights shortcomings in the contribution of qualitative social sciences and humanities (SSH) research to tackling challenges connected with energy and climate change. These shortcomings are illustrated based on analysis of data gathered in relation to EU (e.g. Horizon 2020; FP7) and European national research funding and energy policy. The paper finds that a techno-economic energy imaginary continues to dominate European energy systems and governs expectations of energy research and its conduct, the integration of SSH with energy policy-making and the framing and foci of policy. A more nuanced, context-sensitive approach is presented as an alternative ‘practices and cultural change’ energy imaginary. This emphasises attention to social practices relevant to energy use, interdisciplinarity and the coproduction of knowledge with diverse actors. Adoption of such an imaginary can help to enhance policy integration of SSH and the contribution of SSH to ameliorating energy and climate change challenges while providing insight into why gaps occur between (supra)national energy policy and local practices.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
Energy Research and Social ScienceISSN
2214-6296Publisher
ElsevierExternal DOI
Volume
73Page range
1-9Article number
a101898Department affiliated with
- SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2021-03-19First Open Access (FOA) Date
2022-01-17First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2021-03-19Usage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC