Synopses & Reviews
Most contemporary energy-related problems are social as much as they are technological. Yet typically, only scholars in a narrow range of social science disciplines engage in energy research. This book makes a case for a multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach to energy research--one that brings more of the social sciences to bear. Featuring eight studies from across the spectrum of the social sciences, each applying multiple disciplines to one or more energy-related problems, the book demonstrates the strong analytical and policy-making potential of such a broadened perspective. Case studies include: energy transitions of households in developing countries, the 'curse of oil', politics and visions for renewables, economics and ethics in emissions trading, and carbon capture and storage. The authors characterise the most pressing global energy problems, discuss the role of social science in analysing and addressing them and offer recommendations for research agendas. Academics as well as practitioners working in the energy field will find the contents relevant and thought-provoking. 'A forceful argument for the indispensible role of the social sciences in energy research and why the present asymmetry with the natural sciences/engineering has to be overcome in addressing the enormous complexity of the problems confronting us. A must-read for anyone interested in how academic research and civil society will either succeed or fail - together.' Helga Nowotny, President, European Research Council 'This book presents a crucial plea to all involved in energy problems. To scientists and engineers it shows that energy systems that are not well embedded in society will not function properly and sustainably. And for social scientists this book highlights how crucially important the scientific and technical dimensions of energy problems are for the social cohesion of society.' Wiebe E. Bijker, Professor of Technology & Society, University of Maastricht, The Netherlands
Synopsis
This volume offers a novel approach to energy research by utilizing more of the social sciences. Focusing on eight particular studies, the text applies multiple disciplines to energy-related problems, revealing the strong analytical potential of such a broadened perspective.
Synopsis
This book makes a case for a multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach to energy research--one that brings more of the social sciences to bear. Featuring eight studies from across the spectrum of the social sciences, each applying multiple disciplines to one or more energy-related problems, the book demonstrates the strong analytical and policy-making potential of such a broadened perspective. Case studies include: energy transitions of households in developing countries, the 'curse of oil', politics and visions for renewables, economics and ethics in emissions trading, and carbon capture and storage.
Table of Contents
Part I 1. Introduction David L. Goldblatt, Jürg Minsch, Thomas Flüeler, and Daniel Spreng 2. Energy-Related Challenges Thomas Flüeler, David L. Goldblatt, Jürg Minsch, and Daniel Spreng 3. The Indispensable Role of Social Science in Energy Research Jürg Minsch, David L. Goldblatt, Thomas Flüeler, and Daniel Spreng Part II Invited Contributions David L. Goldblatt, Thomas Flüeler, Jürg Minsch, and Daniel Spreng 4. What About Social Science and Interdisciplinarity? A 10-Year Content Analysis of Energy Policy Benjamin K. Sovacool, Saleena Saleem, Anthony Louis D'Agostino, Catherine Regalado Ramos, Kirsten Trott, and Yanchun Ong 5. Towards an Integrative Framework for Energy Transitions of Households in Developing Countries Shonali Pachauri and Daniel Spreng 6. A Socio-Cultural Analysis of Changing Household Electricity Consumption in India Harold Wilhite 7. The Changing Context for Efforts to Avoid the 'Curse of Oil' Jill Shankleman 8. Contributions of Economics and Ethics to an Assessment of Emissions Trading Adrian Muller 9. No Smooth, Managed Pathway to Sustainable Energy Systems - Politics, Materiality and Visions for Wind Turbine and Biogas Technology Ulrik Jørgensen 10. Technical Fixes Under Surveillance - CCS and Lessons Learned from the Governance of Long-Term Radioactive Waste Management Thomas Flüeler 11. Learning from the Transdisciplinary Case Study Approach: A Functional-Dynamic Approach to Collaboration Among Diverse Actors in Applied Energy Settings Michael Stauffacher, Pius Krütli, Thomas Flüeler, and Roland W. Scholz 12. Lessons from the Invited Contributions Daniel Spreng and David L. Goldblatt 13. Synthesis: Research Perspectives David L. Goldblatt, Daniel Spreng, Thomas Flüeler, and Jürg Minsch Part III 14. Lessons for Problem-Solving Energy Research in the Social Sciences Jürg Minsch, Thomas Flüeler, David L. Goldblatt, and Daniel Spreng Name Index Subject Index