Energising and Empowering Communities Through Collaborative Research
Kingston upon Thames
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Concerns over climate change and declining availability of cheap energy have pushed energy security to the top of policy agendas. In grassroots movements such as the Transition Network, Low Carbon Communities Network, and others, communities are in increasing numbers taking control over both the production of energy and the ways it is used. This has generated high levels of academic interest, fueled by funding streams such as the RCUK Energy and Communities programme. However, research agendas remain controlled by academics, their interests, and those of their funders, not by communities, and their practical benefits of research for community action are undemonstrated.
Transition Research Network supports and facilitates mutually beneficial interactions between community groups and academic researchers. At our third open meeting, organised in partnership with the Energy Security in a Multi-polar World Research Cluster, we explored how research on energy security looks when led by community interests. Using a range of inclusive, participatory methodologies, we will explore the challenges facing community energy initiatives and the contributions academics can make to overcoming these, and set up new collaborations to act on these.
Read a write up of this workshop from Transition Social Reporter Mandy Meikle here.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Concerns over climate change and declining availability of cheap energy have pushed energy security to the top of policy agendas. In grassroots movements such as the Transition Network, Low Carbon Communities Network, and others, communities are in increasing numbers taking control over both the production of energy and the ways it is used. This has generated high levels of academic interest, fueled by funding streams such as the RCUK Energy and Communities programme. However, research agendas remain controlled by academics, their interests, and those of their funders, not by communities, and their practical benefits of research for community action are undemonstrated.
Transition Research Network supports and facilitates mutually beneficial interactions between community groups and academic researchers. At our third open meeting, organised in partnership with the Energy Security in a Multi-polar World Research Cluster, we explored how research on energy security looks when led by community interests. Using a range of inclusive, participatory methodologies, we will explore the challenges facing community energy initiatives and the contributions academics can make to overcoming these, and set up new collaborations to act on these.
Read a write up of this workshop from Transition Social Reporter Mandy Meikle here.