In this blogpost, Ami Crowther explains how her involvement in Energy-SHIFTS scoping workshops have been critical to develop her PhD research.
It’s been nearly a year since I supported the ‘Carbon-intensive EU regions’ scoping workshop in Prague as an ESR, and reflecting upon my experience in Energy-SHIFTS it is clear to see how this has informed and influenced my PhD research.
The focus of the scoping workshop was to understand how Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) can contribute to the acceleration of a just energy transition. Workshop participants included NGOs, public officials, academics and think tanks. As part of my role as ESR, I undertook interviews with a range of participants to understand their motivation for engaging with the workshop, and what they understood a ‘just transition’ to mean.
This engagement with participants provided insight into the different perspectives held about key themes of the workshop. Having participants define what they understood a ‘just transition’ to mean highlighted the complexity of the term, and the variety of factors that need to be considered to achieve it. The diversity of responses provided by different participants highlighted the influence of their personal experiences, perspectives and priorities. Throughout the day I also provided Twitter updates summarising activities and discussions, with these insights enabling engagement with individuals not at the workshop.
How the workshop has supported my research
My experience of attending and supporting the workshop has contributed to the development of my PhD research in a number of ways.
Firstly, the range of individuals present at the workshop and the diversity of understandings highlighted the importance of considering multiple viewpoints within my research. As this allows an appreciation of the multiplicity of experiences and understandings.
Secondly, it gave me confidence in my ability to conduct informative interviews, engage with participants and navigate new situations – all important skills when completing a PhD!
And finally, it made me realise that social media platforms can be utilised as an effective mechanism to share information and catalyse discussions between a range of individuals.
My PhD research focuses on the low-carbon energy transition ambitions of Greater Manchester, UK. To support the establishment of a low-carbon energy system, Greater Manchester is exploring the potential of establishing an Energy Transition Region. Energy Transition Regions enable a place-based systemic approach to change, that connects local assets and facilitates collaboration between a diversity of actors and local stakeholders.
Within my research, I am interested in the roles of different stakeholders associated with establishing an Energy Transition Region, their experiences and perceptions, and the interrelations between different actors. These understandings – of experiences, perceptions, interrelations – can be incorporated into policy developments and when establishing governance structures.
Innovation is a core tenet of the energy transition vision for Greater Manchester, and through my research I will be considering how the development of new approaches to energy within Greater Manchester are supported and implemented.
By participating in Energy-SHIFTS as an ESR it has supported my development as a researcher, as well as contributing to the development of my PhD research. The workshop highlighted the importance of unpacking the understandings and priorities of the different actors when developing policy, which is something I hope to acknowledge through my research.
Ami is a PhD researcher at the School of Education, Environment and Development, University of Manchester.
