Call for papers: ECI Conference: Energy and people: future, complexity and challenges

Start/Stop Date:
11 Apr 2011
Organiser:
The Lower Carbon Futures research team at the Environmental Change Institute, Oxford University and the UK Energy Research Centre
Venue:
Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University
Focus Areas:
The relationship between society and energy use, particularly in the context of the major transition to a low carbon energy system.
Type of Event:
Conference


The Lower Carbon Futures research team at the Environmental Change Institute, Oxford University and the UK Energy Research Centre’s Meeting Place will host an international, interdisciplinary conference focusing on the relationship between society and energy use, particularly in the context of the major transition to a low carbon energy system.

We encourage papers which explore future trends in energy practices, emphasise the human dimension and which:

  • Challenge the conventional wisdom and suggest alternative ways to approach complexity (e.g. non-market mechanisms; social and governance changes).
  • Identify novel methods and approaches for studying pathways to low carbon futures (e.g. research methods such as social modelling, agent-based modelling, and social back casting).

Authors may wish to explore linkages between energy and wider themes, such as:

  • Equity
  • Consumption patterns, trade, national and international politics
  • Communication and mobility
  • Infrastructures of production, distribution and consumption
  • Urbanization, immigration and ageing
  • Institutions, governance and social change

Contributions should be in one of three forms:

  • Short papers (4000 words) for oral presentation at the conference;
  • Briefer thought pieces (1500 words) suitable for a 5 minute intervention; and
  • Posters for display during the conference and at a dedicated poster session.

 
In all cases we are seeking contributions from different disciplines and perspectives: for example, politics, sociology, development studies, international relations, psychology, geography, future studies, technology studies, energy studies, economics and history.
 
In all cases, 350 word abstracts should be submitted by 11 April 2011. The abstract will be peer reviewed and decision will be sent by the end of May. Complete papers are due by the end of August.

Link for more information and to submit your abstract