To give a bit of an insight into the thought-process that led to the creation of the Knowledge Network and why they decided to host a Symposium as their first event, the founders of the Place-Based Urban Energy Transitions Network, Stefano (SM), Tom (TH) and Ami (AC). share their thoughts on all things place, energy transitions and networking! 

Stefano (SM)

Tom Hambley (TH)

Ami Crowther (AC)

AC: Place, decarbonisation, relational 

SM: Sociotechnical imaginaries, policy, energy transition

TH: Place Relationships, Energy

TH: My research explores the role of place relationships within the energy transition, specifically during engagement for renewable energy technology (RET) developments. I have researched how place relationships inform general views on RETs within publics, how place relationships inform how publics respond to and engage with specific RET developments, and how project developers of RET experience and interpret place relationships to inform their projects.

AC: My research looks at place-based decarbonisation visions, unpacking the politics and power dynamics associated with low-carbon energy transitions re-scaled to localised, sub-national scales. I adopt a relational perspective to help unpack how place influences, and is influenced by the decarbonisation visions developed and the stakeholders involved.

SM: One of my research interests is about how energy transitions are imagined and implemented at the local level. For my PhD I investigated the existence of municipal energy transition sociotechnical imaginaries and related policy work practices in the city of Valencia in Spain.

SM: The idea of ‘place’ was not part of the theoretical approach for my PhD. However, during my on-field data collection, I got fascinated by the importance of local solutions that are implemented based on specific needs and specificities of local communities, perhaps at the neighbourhood level. 

AC: Place, one of the key concepts covered by the Knowledge Network, is at the heart of my research – I’m very much a Geographer in that regard! I also frame my research in the context of urban energy transitions so touch on the other key concept of the Knowledge Network.

TH: I have explored place and place relationships in both rural and urban contexts in the past. My current research highlights the potential for mine water geothermal in the UK, and with ¾ of the UK population living above abandoned coal mines, urban energy transitions and place based approaches are of particular interest to me currently.

AC: The increasing research on both place-based approaches and urban energy transitions means there’s so many people working on these concepts, and it would be great to bring these researchers together. Having a Knowledge Network will support collaboration and the design of future research projects – something that I’m really keen to work on since finishing my PhD!

SM: My wish is to get in touch with place-based scholars in order to exchange knowledge and perspective on similar research interests from slightly different theoretical points of view.

TH: I have spent the last four years working with some lovely geologists and physical scientists, and now I’d love to start working with a network of like-minded social scientists in what I think is an incredibly important discipline.

TH: Finding out more about everyone’s work in an open and friendly environment will hopefully provide the opportunity for valuable conversations and provide the foundations for future collaboration.

SM: The symposium will give us the chance to alternate focused discussions to friendly chats in order to foster connections within the small group. 

AC: The symposium provides the opportunity for meaningful discussions within a smaller group, supporting the development of relationships. These relationships will then (hopefully) feed into the Knowledge Network activities. Through the symposium we can structure the discussions and make sure everyone gets the chance to share their views.

AC: Anything that asks for a fun fact about yourself – I never know what to say and always go for the fact I get the hiccups when I’m really hungry.

SM: Any activities supposed to be fun that just turn out to be cringey.

TH: Anything that makes me talk about my work directly after an established professor who’s been conducting research for 30 years.

SM: Find out what our research interests have in common, laying the foundations for further collaborations.  

TH: I’m looking forward to learning more about the field, finding out more about what could be researched in the future, and who hiccups when they’re hungry.

AC: Some good discussions and the identification of next steps – we were thinking a Special Issue based upon the Symposium would be cool.

TH: I would like to have the network to have an established foundation within the UK, that has begun to collaborate together on future events and research. I’d be really eager for in 5 years time have a network that is able to start running larger projects that enable collaboration across Europe and potentially beyond.

AC: In a year I’d like the Knowledge Network to have a core group of members who interact with each other and to have organised some more events, whether that be another symposium or a conference session. In 5 years I’d love for the Knowledge Network to have provided the base for a larger research project made up of a range of partners, looking at different case studies. 

SM: I would like to see it enriched by the participation of a bigger number of researchers, ideally not only limited to the United Kingdom. That would give it the opportunity to work on more ambitious research projects.

The Place-Based Urban Energy Transitions Symposium is the inaugural event of the Place-Based Urban Energy Transitions Knowledge Network.

The symposium will provide the opportunity for PhDs and Early Career Researchers to present their research to others working in similar areas. The symposium will be a highly interactive event where participants will share insights, perspectives and resources. Through these constructive discussions individuals will be able to develop their work and practices. 

To receive the application form for the symposium, please complete the expression of interest form available here: Expression of Interest form. The deadline for applications is Friday 12th April, 2024.