Material Cultures of Energy: Transitions, Disruption, and Everyday Life in the Twentieth Century

Lead Research Organisation: Birkbeck, University of London
Department Name: History Classics and Archaeology

Abstract

How have attitudes and practices of energy use changed in the 20th century? And what can this tell us about ways to promote sustainability in the future? The 20th century saw an unprecedented rise in household energy consumption with the diffusion of coke and oil, natural gas and electricity. In the UK in 1974 households were responsible for 43% of electricity demand, most of it for heating space and water; thirty years earlier it had been just 7%. Unlike in industry, uncoupling energy use and growth has proved difficult in the private sphere. How did this figure get so big and how has the shift to new fuels stimulated new ways of living, and vice versa ? What can earlier moments of coping with shortages tell us about the possibilities of living with less in the future?
Rather than looking at supply, this project focuses on consumption and the interface between people and energy systems, with the help of case studies from Britain, Germany, Japan, Canada and India. It takes seriously that demand is made up of a number of energy-hungry daily practices. We focus on the lived, material and imagined world of energy, drawing on film, objects, fiction, time-use, consumer manuals and oral history as well as official and industrial archives. The project examines how culture and energy shaped each other. The aim is to humanise energy. We study four dimensions:

1) Energy Futures: Policy makers today project forward to 2020 and 2050 anticipating future worlds. Such imagined futures have a history. We ask about their changing horizon, imagined rates of change, utopian and dystopian scenarios. Contrary to popular wisdom, shortages were a frequent source of anxiety before the 1973 oil crisis. We follow debates from the coal shortages after WWI to concerns with energy security in the 1950s to future scenarios in the 1970s and place these in their cultural and political context.

2) Disruption: Current orthodoxy sees behaviour change as difficult, if not impossible, or responsive only to "nudging". People, it is presumed, will not tolerate change. But what if history shows this to be wrong? Before and after WWII, Europeans and Japanese as well as Americans were subject to many black-outs and shortages. Research will examine disruptions and popular responses, from the coal shortages at the end of WWI to the winter of 1962-3 which brought the English grid to its knees. Particular attention will be on consumers' and women's groups, and attempts to manage demand, "waste" and expectations.

3) Connections/Disconnections: Networks transformed space as well as time. This project is interested in the uneven social and cultural consequences of grids and their variable effect on energy use. Rather than treating grids purely as engineering solutions, we ask how they were imagined, accepted or resisted by communities that suddenly found themselves connected to other regions.

4) Transitions in Everyday Life: What precisely are the dynamics of change that lurk behind the trillions of KWhs that we in the developed world have come to treat as normal? This strand lifts the lid on "demand" and follows the diverse worlds of energy practices in daily life. The transition from wood and coal to coke, natural gas, electricity and oil varied immensely by country, region, class, and building type. We examine people's values and practices as well as how new fuels were marketed. We look at how energy was gendered, made visible, priced and communicated, and at earlier efforts to modify behaviour and promote new technologies, with case studies in London, Saijo City (Japan), Frankfurt, and Burton-on-Trent.

The project collaborates with partners in the cultural sector, government and energy sector as well as international institutes. It seeks to raise public awareness about the role of consumers in energy transitions as well as feed back the lessons of the past for stakeholders tackling the challenge of energy security and climate change today and tomorrow

Planned Impact

The project aims at three main audiences: international stakeholders, domestic/UK policy, and the larger public. Its activities and partnerships are designed to foster knowledge exchange with these groups and to maximise the impact of the research. Key partners are represented on the advisory group to provide on-going support and help the project exploit further impact opportunities as they arise.

The project has secured support from several international organisations and institutes. These include the World Energy Council (WEC), the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), and Saijo City in Japan. With its large international membership, the WEC will provide an on-going platform for the historical project to exchange knowledge with stakeholders confronting the challenge of energy transitions today. The WEC has invited the PI to participate in its triennial World Energy Congress and facilitate meetings with its members. With the IASS the project will organise a series of workshops and exchange visits to facilitate dialogue with non-historical experts. With Saijo City, the project will collaborate in examining the dynamics of micro-transitions within the city, providing historical expertise and insight for on-going initiatives in sustainability in that city.

Within the UK, the project has collaborative arrangements with Defra which will act as its main partner to facilitate knowledge exchange and impact within the policy community in Whitehall. Defra will jointly host two meetings with the project which are explicitly designed to facilitate exchange of knowledge and feed back insights from this project into policy-making. One workshop will examine how futures have been imagined in scenario planning, past and present, and to give advice on alternative forms of anticipating unpredictable futures. A second meeting will examine changing experiments with measuring and communicating energy. DECC is also aware of the project. The partnership with Defra is understood to reach out to neighbouring departments of state with an interest in energy, and equally with other affiliated bodies and stakeholders, such as the Energy Saving Trust, Energy UK and Renewables UK.

A second group of partner organisations in the UK and internationally is the museum and cultural sector. In the UK, the main partners are the Science Museum Group with the Science Museum and MOSI in Manchester. The project will contribute historical understanding of energy's materiality and, in exchange, benefit from the collections and curatorial knowledge housed in the museum sector. The genre of energy films promises a further opportunity for a transnational exchange of knowledge. In addition to partnership with the BFI, the project has secured arrangements with foreign museums and archives in Germany and Japan to assist with the international comparison of visual genres, bringing together expertise from the film, archival and museum communities.

The Science Museum will serve as the base for one of the events that it is aimed at the public more widely, making use of the visual as well as empirical findings by the project. In addition, the project has secured support from the Raphael Samuel History Centre for a joint public event at the British Library and with support of the History & Policy think-tank. The project has further plans for public communication, including a virtual exhibition, a public debate and more conventional print and news media. The project inquires into the changing ways in which energy has been communicated and represented. It is therefore fitting - at the end of the project - to also reach out to younger members of the public and give them an opportunity to engage with the project and showcase their creative ideas, with the help of a set of workshops and music and drawing competitions. These will be organised with the help of a high school in Saijo City and Guildhall School of Music, London.
 
Description "Material Cultures of Energy" is a historical research project that examines how energy has transformed daily life in the twentieth century. The project has investigated how energy transitions played themselves out in people's lives in the past; how networks and grids changed space and communities; how energy futures were imagined and contested; and how societies lived with shortages and disruption. To address these themes, we have drawn on comparative historical research, including Britain, North America, Germany and Japan.
Presentations of key findings can be viewed at the project webpage, under "Activities", which includes pdfs of the research briefings distributed at the Science Museum event.
Our main findings on these topics include:

1) Networks and energy demand have not expanded along the same pattern. In addition to technological diversity, our research has highlighted the importance of local governance and regionally distinct energy cultures. This has had a significant impact on the speed and extent to which homes were electrified, and thus on energy consumption. While all rural areas were a challenge for energy providers faced with difficult terrain and low population densities, regionally specific governance arrangements and ideologies helped to create uneven rates of network development, distinct fuel mixes and differing perceptions of consumers in different areas. In rural South Wales in the 1950s the slow development of electricity networks was repeatedly attributed by providers and policy makers to rural residents' low consumption rates, over 40% of farmers spending £10 or less on electricity per year in the early 50s. By contrast, the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board's founding 'social clause' (1943), obliging it to 'have regard to the social and economic betterment of sparsely populated areas', encouraged a supplier-driven roll out of electrical connections to remote dwellings and relatively rapid creation of demand, achieved through highly diverse networks and systems of provision: from hydro-electric power, steam- and diesel-fired power stations - even in the 1950s experimental peat and wind stations - alongside the provision of Calor Gas to remote islands. By 1963, 50% of the Board's consumers were using electric cookers: the highest percentage in Britain at that time. In Ontario, Canada, the extension of hydro-power networks to all the provinces' consumers was envisaged as a replacement fuel for gas and coal at the turn of the twentieth century, but post-45 parliamentary debates show that urban and rural users continued to experience variable levels of electrical service and still relied on alternative fuels. Gas ranges for cooking were still more prevalent at the beginning of the 1950s in Ontario and many urban consumers still relied on coal for heating.

Counter to the story of modernisation which only sees the progress of networks, we have also highlighted the importance of non-networked arrangements and the survival of highly diverse consumption patterns within the same class and community. The role of collective providers such as council housing and municipal authorities in what we have termed "consumption by proxy" has received sustained attention. There are also implications for social and energy inequality. Research has uncovered the considerable number of urban households which remained excluded from electricity in Britain in the mid-twentieth century.

2) Research has revealed the changing role assigned to households, end-users and aggregate demand within energy forecasts over the twentieth century. Today's statistical models are just one chapter in a longer story in which competing experts, methods and voices have had their say. In particular, we have followed the increasingly marginal place given to domestic consumers and women movement's in national and international energy forecasts and energy commissions as these shifted to models of planning or markets after the Second World War.

3) Energy shortages have been mostly associated with the oil crises of the 1970s, but our project has shown that uncertainty and disruption continued after the Second World War for considerably longer than has been conventionally recognised. Our research has revealed the important temporal politics of energy shortages in daily life as well as economic policy. Regimes responded to shortages in different ways after the Second World War. Japan, for example, prioritised big industrial users while the UK protected household energy supply at all cost. After the 1953 uprising, socialist GDR tended to impose additional nightshifts and rationing on industries and chose not to intervene directly in domestic life. These differences reflected different ideological and political realities as well as cultures of time. Our research has also pointed to the different degrees of resilience and the variable impact of disruptions. In Canada, the ice storm of 1998 produced the longest period of hydro downtime in recorded history (up to 4 weeks) and affected more than 4.7 million people. Differences in experiences of the ice storm in Ontario and Quebec suggest that historical approaches to HEP connection and network investment heavily influenced responses. In Quebec criticism was directed towards the heavy historical investments in HEP that had created an over-dependency on electricity, while those living in eastern Ontario, just across the border were better serviced by back-up options when the power failed.


4) Our research has revealed the role of consumers in fuel transitions in daily life.
In 1930s Bedfordshire, for example, rural electricity consumers who had only recently been connected to electricity supply successfully boycotted a tariff increase by the network. Energy networks created rural residents for the first time as problem consumers: more expensive to reach and with distinct consumption practices that made them doubly unprofitable. By the 1960s the majority of rural consumers in Britain were connected to electricity, though usage remained highly uneven across the grid. The history of rural transition shows how the varied habits and practices of energy users became linked to a discourse of the universal needs, entitlements and duties of energy users.

In general, the project's research findings about the active role of consumers challenges the established view of energy as supply in search of demand. The project has also explored consumer responses to efforts that aimed to increase the use of high energy consuming appliances, such as electric cookers, to fuel saving efforts in the 1940s and 50s, and to off-peak tariffs by which from the 1960s onwards suppliers sought to change the timing of key consumption practices, such as space heating and clothes washing. Decisions taken in the past about the provision of gas or electricity to housing estates for heating and cooking continue to shape spatial divisions between consumers and to sustain distinct perceptions of resilience and vulnerability. Residents in a North London Peabody Estate served by gas since its construction in the 1980s are today, in 2016, taking the landlords to court to resist a changeover from gas, preferring a temporary disruption of gas supplies while a fault is investigated - and hot meals provided by the Red Cross - to the forced adoption of electric cookers and heating which they consider unaffordable.
Exploitation Route The individual entries in research fish give a snapshot of our main activities and how these have already led to engagement and use by other stakeholders as well as academics.

In addition, and since the question is about the contingent future ("might"), we should like to highlight the following opportunities:

1) Collaboration with the World Energy Council has already increased awareness among WEC members of their own history. This might be extended to the specific trajectory of forecasting practices and a review of its main changes over time. The project team presented core findings at the WEC Executive Assembly meeting in Lisbon in October 2017, capitalising on the project's existing connection to reach stakeholders assembling at this meeting.

2) We worked with several of our co-partners in government and the museum/arts sector to exchange findings and contribute research, including:
+a workshop on the material cultures of energy, with curators and representatives of the museum sector, including the Science Museum (London) and representatives from Deutsche Museum (Munich) and others (Sept 2016)

+an activity with Defra to discuss research arising from the work on changing energy futures

+a workshop on the visual representations of energy, with the British Film Institute (2017)

3) We are planning to explore how we can feed back more about the active role of consumers and lessons from the past for current policy debate. Our research on energy disruption, for example, could increase the awareness of the broad impact of energy disruption on energy users' everyday life (e.g. its effect on daily routines, emergency preparation at home, and the users' choice of energy sources) among our partners in the fields of policy making and energy business (DECC, Defra and EDF in particular). This type of knowledge can assist better management of energy shortages while avoiding serious damages to the welfare and health of energy users.

4) Through the PI's involvement in the DEMAND research network (one of the EPSRC/ESRC energy research centres), we have contributed historical insight to our understanding of what makes energy demand. This has already included a lunch-time presentation and discussion at DECC (2015). In addition to the journal articles and papers listed in research fish, we are completing an interdisciplinary volume which will ensure that historical research reaches neighbouring disciplines.
Sectors Education

Energy

Environment

Government

Democracy and Justice

Culture

Heritage

Museums and Collections
URL http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mce/
 
Description Findings emerging from this project have been used by a broad spectrum of users, ranging from government bodies, industry bodies across civil society and schools. These include: 1) Some of the findings have been presented in the 2015 Carlowitz lecture to the German government Council of Sustainability (Rat für nachhaltige Entwicklung) and their members and interested stakeholders at their annual convention in 2015, and subsequently in the short book published in 2016 and distributed by RNE amongst experts and stakeholders in the field of sustainability and energy, as well as being available for interested members of the public. 2) The project has examined the historical evolution of energy debates for the oldest international energy organisation, the World Energy Council, in a booklet on WEC's history. 3) The project's case study on the history of Japan's renewable energy has assisted Saijo City Office - the city was the place where Japan's largest solar PV experiment was conducted between 1981 and 1992 - to re-discover its legacy of renewable energy development. It had impact within the city office and among the local community: our project received a mention in the municipal parliament and one of our study events was reported in a regional newspaper (circulation approx. 260,000). The project's findings have also been used in the three study events for Saijo High Schools in Japan and in the UK. These events were organised around the project's research themes which were used not only in lectures but also as the case studies and discussion topics for students to think deeply about current energy problems and the future challenges of creating a sustainable society. Our project has engaged in a wide variety of activities, through which we interacted with diverse groups of policy makers, business corporations, cultural institutions, researchers, the younger generation and the general public. The workshop we jointly organised with the University of West England and Lancaster University 'Scales of Disruption' was attended by stakeholders from DECC, Defra, Transport for London and Climate Southeast. We tackled the question of how to translate historical research on various types of disruptions into practical knowledge that can be utilised in the policy context. Outside the UK, the PI has given an invited lecture on the current and future problem of sustainability for the German government's Rat für nachhaltige Entwicklung (Council for Sustainable Development) and published it as a booklet. The lecture was attended by policy makers, energy practitioners and academics, and the booklet will further broaden the project's reception. The workshop the project co-organised with Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo, Japan, brought together participants from wide ranging fields. Not only academics, such as economists, historians, geographers, scientists and engineers, but also policymakers (Japan METI, US Presidential Deputy Envoy and former Deputy Assistant US Secretary of State for Energy) and a business CEO participated in the workshop's discussion. Through the exchange of opinions, views and findings, the workshop contributed to deepen the public and expert discussion about energy problems in Japan and beyond. Having EDF as one of our partners has been important. Members of EDF participated in the 'Scales of Disruption' workshop and the advisory committee meetings, allowing us to exchange insights into the patterns of energy consumers' behaviour - and also learn about research within EDF itself. In Sep 2016 members of the project team hosted a workshop at EDF Innovation Centre in Paris, exploring the construction of energy futures. This was attended by approx.. 20 members of the EDF Research & Development on Energy Demand and Dynamics of Consumption group. Our project is starting to have impact in the community of international energy experts, chiefly through the medium of the World Energy Council (WEC). The booklet we produced for WEC was distributed to a number of WEC's national committees and it is also available online. We have already received comments and enquiries from those working in the energy sector in and outside the UK. The most notable contribution of our work with WEC is that some energy experts, including WEC's secretariat staff, reported they have come to recognise the importance of past experience for thinking about current energy problems. To strengthen this collaboration further, we gave a talk at WEC's Executive Assembly in Lisbon in October 2017 that used the case of energy forecasts in the past to illustrate how consumers and their lifestyles have been unduly neglected in the course of the twentieth century -- and implications for current forecasting exercises. In Japan, we have organised a series of events with Saijo City (one of our partners) to engage with a municipal authority in order to put our research to practical use. Our project's case studies are providing a basis for Saijo City's revision of its official energy and environmental strategy for the future. The project also organised three study events for Saijo High School ('Thinking about Energy' event; 'Sustainable Society'; 'How can we change our Energy use?'). These events raised awareness of sustainable energy consumption among the younger generation. The success of these events led the high school to organise a special lecture series on renewable energy as an extra-curricular module. In 2016, the project organised a further study event with Saijo High School, an art competition with the city's primary, secondary and high schools and a public event involving the city office, local businesses, the general public and local schoolchildren. The art competition had a great response from local schools and had a significant number of entries. The public event was well attended - the audience number was approximately 150 people in total - and the event was reported on the local news media. One tangible result was that Shin has been invited to become an academic advisor to Saijo city, to constantly feed in to the city's long-term policy making and development planning. The project has also been working with public museums. The Science Museum Group has supported two past study events for Saijo High School. In 2015 and 2016, the group provided venues for three study events at the Science Museum, London, and the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry. The partnership with the Science Museum enabled us to connect with the community of museum curators, and this connection bore fruit in the Sept 2016 workshop on the material culture of energy that brought together historians and museum curators to discuss ways of improving the quality of energy-related exhibitions in museums through a dialogue between academic researchers and curators. The project's other partner the Museum Strom und Leben participated in this workshop. The partnership with museums has broadened the project's scope. For example, the PI served as a consultant on the exhibition 'Body Electric' opened in February 2017 at the Wellcome Institute, while another member of the project gave a talk at the Science Museum's 'Lates: Let There Be Light' event. The PI and CI of the project also presented a paper on the project's research outcomes at the museum's Research Centre and Library Inaugural Conference in March 2016, an event involving not only academics but also the museum's stakeholders. The project has had interactions with other museums and archives such as the Science and Technology Museum in Canada and the Kerosene Case Archives in Japan, exchanging insights with curators and archivists while contributing to these institutions' publications. The project has invested substantial amount of effort to connect with the general public through digital media. In addition to setting up a dedicated project website in June 2015, the project members have contributed to a number of blog essays ranging from blogs for the UK Energy Research Centre to the Sustainable Consumption Institute (Manchester University). The PI's appearance in a programme for BBC Forum reached over a million listeners. Already, some new contacts have been established with those who became aware of the project's work through the radio broadcast. In the final year, the project pursued several plans for creating impact. In addition to the project's final event, the following events took place: a conference on energy transition in Cambridge; a two-day workshop on energy landscape with Rachel Carson Center in April 2017; a presentation at the Secretaries' Day at the World Energy Council meeting in Lisbon in October 2017; a public event on energy films with BFI in October 2017; and a series of music workshop at the Guildhall Junior School of Music, London, starting in the autumn term 2017. In addition, the project organised a major interactive event for disseminating key findings and feeding the lessons of this historical project to key stakeholders. This event was held at the Science Museum, London, in November 2017 and attended by 70 invited stakeholders from the energy sector, public policy, museum and cultural sector, and academic experts working on energy. The event and key findings can be viewed at our webpage. Between 2018 and 2019, the project received a follow-on grant from the AHRC for conducting further public engagement activities. The follow-on project 'Communicating Material Cultures of Energy' project, based in the Science Museum London, organised four knowledge exchange sessions with partners, collaborators and stakeholders including BEIS, Ofgem,the Behavioural Insights Team, EDF Energy, Electricity North West, Community Energy England, Carbon Co-op, the National Museum of Scotland and Greater Manchester Combined Authority. More than seventy practitioners, policy makers and researchers took part in the project's knowledge exchange sessions and conference. As part of the project, we organised an Energy Quiz event at the Manchester Science Festival 2018. Two project members are currently finalising an open access publication: the Energy Communication Toolkit.
First Year Of Impact 2015
Sector Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education,Energy,Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections
Impact Types Cultural

Societal
 
Description 2015-06 Carl-von-Carlowitz lecture 'Material Culture and Consumers' in Berlin, , Rat für nachhaltige Entwicklung (Ger government), annual congress
Geographic Reach Europe 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
Impact In presenting project findings to policy makers , energy practitioners and academics, the lecture sent the message that past experience should inform discussions about current and future problems of sustainability. Trentmann was invited by the Council to produce an extended version for publication. This publication (Materielle Kultur und Energiekonsum, oekom publishers, Munich 2016) has been circulated to stakeholders with an interest in sustainable development (government ministries, business, sustainability research centres). The Council (RNE) writes (20 Feb 2017): "the statistics for our website (checked 20 Feb 2017) show: after publishing the free PDF of the booklet in November 2016, we mentioned it in our newsletter which goes out to 11,000 readers. Since then, the file/booklet was accessed 13,161 times, a very high number reflecting great interest in the research. From the perspective of the Rat Fuer Nachhaltige Entwicklung (German Council for Sustainable Development), the impact of both Trentmann's lecture and his booklet is that it allows us to bring forward the sustainability debate in a science-politics-interface. Science based policy-making is crucial in order to strengthen sustainable development, and a closer look at the impacts of past decision-making and political programmes as outlined in Trentmann's lecture and booklet sheds light on nexuses that are often overseen in the daily business of politics and any measures to promote sustainable development. As concerns our work at RNE, we make use of any possibility to promote the booklet and to relate the research underpinning it to current debates about sustainability.
URL https://www.nachhaltigkeitsrat.de/veranstaltungen/veranstaltungen-des-rates/6-c-v-c-vorlesung-03-06-...
 
Description Saijo, Japan, energy past, present and future
Geographic Reach Asia 
Policy Influence Type Citation in other policy documents
Impact The project's case study on the history of Japan's renewable energy has assisted Saijo City Office - the city was the place where Japan's largest solar PV experiment was conducted between 1981 and 1992 - to re-discover its legacy of renewable energy development. It had impact within the city office and among the local community: our project received a mention in the municipal parliament and one of our study events was reported in a regional newspaper (circulation approx. 260,000). The project's findings have also been used in the five study events for Saijo High Schools in Japan and in the UK. These events were organised around the project's research themes which were used not only in lectures but also as the case studies and discussion topics for students to think deeply about current energy problems and the future challenges of creating a sustainable society. Furthermore, for Saijo City, the project organised an art competition and a public event in 2016. The art competition raised awareness of energy and environmental issues among the city's schoolchildren, while the public event contributed to consolidate the city's energy policy. A visible impact was the city's 'renewable building programme' (Jan 2017) that was directly and indirectly informed by the collaboration between the city and the project.
URL http://www.city.saijo.ehime.jp/site/gikai/280302.html
 
Description Communicating Material Cultures of Energy: Five Challenges for Energy Communication
Amount £80,574 (GBP)
Funding ID AH/S006370/1 
Organisation Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2018 
End 09/2019
 
Description Partnership with Caltech 
Organisation California Institute of Technology
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Trentmann co-organised a conference at Caltech in Nov 2014 on shortages. He is also co-editing an edited volume based on the conference. Also, based on this partnership, Trentmann gave a talk to the Lawrence Berkeley Lab, California on "Putting Use and Users Back In: The Evolution of Energy Demand in the Twentieth Century" in March 2017.
Collaborator Contribution Colleagues at Caltech contributed to the organisation of the conference, providing academic and administrative resources and the venue. Caltech's contribution made it possible to hold a conference with truly multi-disciplinary participants, bringing together international scholars and practitioners from the material sciences and engineering as well as the social sciences and humanities.
Impact The conference successfully brought together scholars from environmental science, engineering, geography, development studies, economics, sociology and history. It provided an opportunity to discuss shared interests, to identify both problems of defining concepts, methodology and research topics across different disciplines and ways of overcoming these. Demonstrating a model of multi-disciplinary collaboration and its challenges, its outcomes will be published as an edited volume to stimulate similar collaboration in different research fields and discussions of contemporary problems. Furthermore, the partnership led to Trentmann's talk at the Lawrence Berkeley Lab in March 2017.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Partnership with Defra 
Organisation Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution The project team has investigated historical insight into the development of energy demand in the UK, changing views of energy futures and forecasting, and to past responses to energy disruptions by various actors, including government ministries. The historical insights are presented to the colleagues at Defra.
Collaborator Contribution A member of the Department served as a member of the project advisory committee. The same person attended the workshop on disruption organised by the project in February 2016, in which the Defra official has provided valuable insights into methods of problem-solving in the ministry and their relationship to wider political decision-making processes.
Impact Through our collaboration, Defra is becoming aware of the use and importance of past experience, which is difficult to pass on between different generations of officials as there is little institutional arrangement for doing so, and also from frequent changes of the ministry's personnel. Our project helped address institutional knowledge gaps by providing evidence of earlier policy debates and decision-making.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Partnership with EDF 
Organisation EDF Energy
Department EDF Innovation and Research
Country France 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution The project provided historical knowledge about the development of energy demand in the UK, which will be of use for the EDF to compare the French situation with that of UK, and to plan for future energy development.
Collaborator Contribution A member of EDF is acting as member of the advisory committee for the project. Another member of the company attended a workshop organised by the project. In Sep 2016 members of the project team hosted a workshop at EDF Innovation Centre in Paris, exploring the construction of energy futures. This was attended by approx. 20 members of the EDF Research & Development on Energy Demand and Dynamics of Consumption group. The workshop focused on the lessons that could be learnt from past forecasting practices.
Impact Through the advisory meeting and the workshop, the project gained an understanding of the recent cases of French energy disruptions and users' attitudes to them. The collaboration highlighted the cultural differences and similarities of energy use in the UK and France, providing insights useful for both EDF and the project.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Partnership with Harvard 
Organisation Harvard University
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The project co-organised an international workshop with the Joint Centre for History and Economics at Cambridge and Harvard was held at Pembroke College, University of Cambridge in May 2017. The workshop "Domesticating Energy: Energy Environments Inside and Outside the Home" brought together an interdisciplinary group of international scholars who explored the relationship between domestic energy transitions and broader environmental issues.
Collaborator Contribution Harvard University and Pembroke College provided intellectual and practical support for the joint-event.
Impact The collaboration has allowed us to establish a multi-disciplinary international network of scholars working on energy-related issues. A publication following the workshop is planned.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Partnership with Hitotsubashi University 
Organisation Hitotsubashi University
Country Japan 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We co-organised a workshop in Tokyo in Nov 2016. The theme of the workshop, energy transitions, was suggested by the project team, and we have put forward the majority of speakers (including project members). Prior to the workshop, Shin gave a seminar talk at Hitotsubashi University, on the history of energy disruption management for undergraduate/postgraduate students and academic researchers. The workshop was attended by academics from diverse disciplines, policy makers and business representatives (see the separate entry for the workshop under public engagement). The project provided intellectual stimulation to the research group at Hitotsubashi University.
Collaborator Contribution Colleagues at Hitotsubashi provided intellectual and administrative assistance for the workshop. As the project was linked up with a pre-existing research project on regional energy demand (funded by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Japan), Hitotsubashi University provided the workshop venue, practical arrangements and publicity.
Impact The workshop was attended by environmental and resource economists, an energy policy analyst, historians, a geographer, an official of the Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the CEO of an energy consultancy company and a US Presidential Deputy Envoy and former Deputy Assistant US Secretary of State for Energy, who is an expert in energy policy. At the event, participants discussed various aspects of energy transitions in the past and the future, created a multi-disciplinary forum for discussing long-term energy transitions. As energy discussions in Japan are often compartmentalised into specific fields (e.g. divided between politics, engineering/science, history) and, apart from engineering and science, academic research has weak links with policy making, the event stimulated more effective collaboration between academia and policy making.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Partnership with IASS 
Organisation Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) Potsdam
Country Germany 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution A workshop was held in April 2016 exploring the role of international and local experts at the IASS, Potsdam, Germany. The MCE project team co-organised the event and helped to define the intellectual scope of the workshop, which focussed on the role of experts in areas of energy and natural resources. Wright also participated in an interdisciplinary workshop 'Towards a heuristic of democratic sustainability and transformation', organised by the IASS on 4-5 December 2017.
Collaborator Contribution IASS provided academic and administrative resources for the workshop, and provided the venue and practical support.
Impact In 2013, core members of the project co-organised a workshop with the IASS, highlighting the relevance of historical studies of energy consumption for policy making as well as for academic research. The 2016 workshop built on this previous meeting and widened both the scope of discussion and the target audience by inviting scholars from diverse range of disciplines. The conference raised a number of important debates about the nature of experts and expertise and has led to a number of outcomes and new projects. This includes a blog series with the International Social Science Council (ISSC), under the title: 'ExpertsPastPresentFuture', drawing on our research. Alongside this, and with IASS, a book project is planned that will represent the conference proceedings, published by Oekom publisher.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Partnership with Ludwig Maximilians University Munich 
Organisation Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich)
Country Germany 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint activity with the Rachel Carson Center on "energy landscapes". Project members have collaborated with LMU partners Prof. Dr. Christof Mauch (Director - RCC), Helmut Trischler (Head of Research - Deutsches Museum, Director -RCC) and Annka Liepold (RCC Events Coordinator) to plan the themes, agenda and schedule for a two-day conference on "Transitions in Energy Landscapes and Everyday Life" in April 2017 in Munich - see also the section on the Rachel Carson Center.
Collaborator Contribution The university provided administrative and financial support to the above activity.
Impact The conference has led to the publication of RCC Perspective special issue and further publication is currently discussed.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Partnership with Museum Strom und Leben 
Organisation Museum Strom und Leben
Country Germany 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution The project provided an opportunity for the museum's curators and administrators to learn from and connect with current research. The museum benefited by participating in a workshop on the material culture of energy organised by the MCE project (September 2016), through knowledge exchange with UK energy academics and museum curators.
Collaborator Contribution A member of the partner organisation attended the 2016 workshop at the Science Museum, and contributed to the event and resulting special issue of the Science Museum Journal by providing insights from the practical work of the museum, which focuses specifically on 'electricity and life' - the partner museum's general theme.
Impact The collaboration helped the museum to situate its place in the context of academic research and public knowledge. It will ultimately benefit the museum visitors through improving the curatorial knowledge and method of display.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Partnership with NCRC 
Organisation Rethink Mental Illness
Department Research
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution A joint-event was held in September 2017 at the University of Helsinki, in which Trentmann gave a talk "Putting Energy Back into Consumer Studies".
Collaborator Contribution NCRC provided administrative and financial support.
Impact The workshop gave an opportunity to convey the project's research findings to social sciences scholars in Finland.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Partnership with Oslo University 
Organisation University of Oslo
Department Centre for Development and the Environment
Country Norway 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Project members collaborated with Prof Harold Wilhite in the Material Practices of Energy Consumption workshop at the Science Museum in September 2016 and the meeting at the Laurence Berkeley lab in the USA in March 2017.
Collaborator Contribution Prof Hal Wilhite provided intellectual contribution to the September 2016 workshop at the Science Museum by giving a presentation. He also participated in the meeting at the Lawrence Berkeley lab in the USA in March 2017.
Impact No impact yet.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Partnership with RWE AG 
Organisation RWE AG
Country Germany 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution The project promoted the use of RWE's historical records in publications and academic presentations.
Collaborator Contribution RWE provided archival film from its historical collection and the company's archivist presented a paper at a MCE's academic event at BFI in Oct 2017.
Impact The partnership raised awareness about the significance of historical research in informing today's discussion about energy.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Partnership with Rachel Carson Center 
Organisation The Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society (RCC)
Country Germany 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The project co-organised a two-day workshop with the Rachel Carson Center and the Deutsches Museum on the theme of "Transitions in Energy Landscapes and Everyday Life, in April 2017. Scholars representing different disciplines (geography, history, museum studies, literature, sociology, environmental politics, cultural studies) attended the event, which examined how distinctive environments are forged by energy-related processes and infrastructures of extraction, generation, transmission, distribution and consumption. Synergies among researchers working on energy transitions in the developed and developing world were explored.
Collaborator Contribution The Rachel Carson Center provided expert advice and the administrative support, and contributed to the costs. Partners at the Deutsches Museum arranged a tour of the energy transition exhibition for workshop participants, and provided the venue and accommodation for the event.
Impact Dissemination plans include the publication of workshops papers in the RCC's online journal (RCC Perspectives, due 2018), the publication of selected papers in an edited volume or special journal issue, and blogs on the MCE and RCC websites. The workshop and related publications will create greater understanding of links between practices of consumption in everyday life and energy-related processes of extraction, generation, distribution. They will also identify commonalities and differences in energy transitions across the developed and developing world. The results will be disseminated widely through the expanded network created by the workshop, including those engaged in energy policy debates, and through the use of social media.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Partnership with Raphael Samuel History Centre 
Organisation The Raphael Samuel History Centre
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Learned Society 
PI Contribution Joint activity is currently under discussion.
Collaborator Contribution Raphael Samuel History Centre will provide practical support for the above event.
Impact No Impact yet.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Partnership with UWE 
Organisation University of the West of England
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The project co-organised a workshop in March 2015 with the Disruption project of UWE and Lancaster University. Our project provided the venue, administrative support and intellectual input to the workshop. It helped to shape the agenda and structure of the workshops. See also in the Engagement Activities section '2014-02 Workshop 'Scales of Disruption: Methods, Experiences and Insights'
Collaborator Contribution UWE's Disruption project co-organised the workshop, providing valuable contacts with relevant participants, including those from Transport for London, DECC, Defra, and Climate Southeast. Members of the Disruption project team gave presentations about their research, which were closely related to our project's research themes. Through the workshop, UWE helped our project to sharpen its research scope in relation to our Disruption research themes, while providing theoretical insights into disruption and examples of public engagements.
Impact The multi-disciplinary collaboration brought an expanded network of scholars and practitioners. Through the workshop, including its preparation, we came to a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges of linking academic research with policy-making processes. For participants to the workshop from the policy backgrounds, the event provided an opportunity to reflect on their practice which is often based on short-term considerations. The opportunity for reflecting upon their own practice led them to see their routine practice from a different perspective, putting it in a more objective light.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Partnership with Universidade Federal de Rio de Janeiro 
Organisation Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
Country Brazil 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution A joint academic event was held in September 2017 at COPPEAD-UFRJ, in which Trentmann gave a presentation "Material Cultures of Energy: New Perspectives on Energy Transitions in Everyday Life".
Collaborator Contribution The university provided practical and financial support for Trentmann's visit.
Impact Trentmann subsequently appeared in an interview in the national newspaper O Globo.
Start Year 2017
 
Description Partnership with the Science Museum 
Organisation Science Museum Group
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Through discussions and workshops, we exchanged information and insights arising from the research project, which made use of the museum's holdings. This informed the museum's understanding of the topic of energy, which can be used in future exhibitions. The project's PI and CI gave a paper at the 'Science Museum Research Centre and Library Inaugural Conference' at the Science Museum on 31 March 2016. The project organised, with the museum, a workshop on the material practice of energy consumption in September 2016 (see separate entry on the workshop). As the result of the workshop, Trentmann has been invited to act as a guest editor for the special issue of the museum's academic journal, to be published in early 2018.
Collaborator Contribution In addition to providing research assistance through access to museum holdings and information, the Science Museum Group has provided venues and administrative support for study events, and did the same for a workshop in September 2016. It also provided expert advice on available research material and first-hand knowledge about museum practice, which were directly relevant to the project's research themes. Furthermore, the Science Museum made available its existing research and professional networks by suggesting potential contributors to the above-mentioned workshop. At the workshop, the museum's staff involved in its History of Nuclear Energy and Society (HoNESt) project provided inputs from their research activity. The workshop was attended by museum curators from the Science Museum and its group museum, the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, and some museum staff also attended the workshop as observers. The Science Museum's senior curator acted as a co-organiser of the joint workshop with BFI in October 2017 and provided expert advise for the event. The museum also offered the venue for the project's final event, provided museum objects for small exhibition along with professional assistance of curators for the event.
Impact The project's PI and CI gave a paper at the 'Science Museum Research Centre and Library Inaugural Conference' at the Science Museum on 31 March 2016. The study event with a Japanese high school was supported by the Science Museum, London. The venue and administrative support was provided by the museum. Similar events took place in March 2016 at the Science Museum and the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry (a Science Museum Group museum). We also held a workshop at the Science Museum in September 2016. This series of events provided opportunities for experimenting with the situated learning of energy-using practices for Japanese high school students, which proved to be effective for changing the students' thinking about energy, reinforced by learning with tangible museum objects. For details, see the Engagement Activities section '2015-03 "Thinking about Energy" Study Event for Saijo High School at the Science Museum, London'. Furthermore, the Science Museum assisted the project's final event in late 2017. Another major output is the Science Museum Group Journal special issue based on the workshop 'Material Practices of Energy Consumption' (details in a separate entry), to be published in 2018, for which Trentmann has been invited to act as the guest editor as well as contributing an introductory chapter. Other two project members, Shin and Chappells, will also contribute a chapter to the special issue.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Partnership with the World Energy Council 
Organisation World Energy Council
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution As part of the collaboration with World Energy Council (WEC), project members wrote a general history of WEC. The booklet is planned to be updated later in the project. Wright and Trentmann presented a paper 'The Social Life of Energy Futures: Experts, Users and Standards in the Golden Age of Modernization, c. 1900-1973' during the Secretary's' Strategy Day of the World Energy Council Executive Assembly in Lisbon in October 2017.
Collaborator Contribution WEC has made available its archives and records housed in its headquarters and storage. It also gave us opportunities to interview its members including former members, which provided a rare opportunity of listening, face to face, to people who have had a significant influence on the direction of international energy policy. Also, our collaboration with the WEC opened the door to a wider network of energy experts and policy makers.
Impact Wright, Shin and Trentmann co-authored a booklet on the history of the WEC 'From World Power Conference to World Energy Council'. The book is also accessible on the WEC website: http://www.worldenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/A-Brief-History-of-the-World-Energy-Council.pdf). The booklet was presented as a gift to the former chairman of the WEC as well as to three retiring officers. Also, copies of the booklet were distributed at the WEC Congress to delegates from various countries including France, Italy, Germany, Canada and South Korea. Regarding the booklet, a WEC administrator commented 'it really has been a most successful venture'. The Secretary General of WEC wrote to us: 'I have already used some "learning" at the Washington meeting', where he quoted from the book. In January 2016, we received an enquiry from Dr Otilla Marin, Director General Synthesis and Cooperation of Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority concerning the history of WEC. In the email Dr Marin wrote: 'It is very useful, important, to know the history'. This demonstrates that the project's activity raised awareness of historical knowledge in the energy sector.
Start Year 2014
 
Description partnership with BFI 
Organisation British Film Institute (BFI)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The project co-organised an interdisciplinary workshop on energy-related films with BFI in October 2017. Through this workshop the project applied its research insights to energy films while drawing upon BFI's film collection. The event raised awareness concerning the existing resources for future research held at BFI and encouraged multi-disciplinary research and dialogue. The workshop was attended by Patrick Russell (BFI, co-organiser), Tim Boon (Science Museum, co-organiser), Hiroki Shin (MCE, co-organiser), Frank Trentmann (MCE, co-organiser), Vanessa Taylor (MCE), Rebecca Wright (MCE), Brian Jacobson (U of Toronto), Scott Anthony (U of Singapore), Jan Hicks (Manchester Museum of Science and Industry), Hans Georg Thomas (RWE), graham Roberts (Leeds Trinity), Florian Hoof (Goethe University), and Vicki Lesley (Producer/Director, Tenner Films) along with some colleagues from BFI.
Collaborator Contribution A senior curator acted as a member of the MCE advisory committee. The BFI staff provided support and expert advice on the selection of research material, insights into energy-related films and facilitating research viewings. BFI also provided the venue for the energy film workshop. Furthermore, BFI supplied a historical film for the project's final event on 30 Nov 2017.
Impact The collaboration - especially through the public event and the project website - has led to an increased public appreciation of the BFI's assets as a way of illuminating and thinking about the past development of energy using practices in the UK. It also helped increase the knowledge and understanding of the BFI's curatorial staff in relation to the energy-related films held in its archives. The jointly-organised workshop became an opportunity to experiment with an innovative workshop format that combined presentations, discussion and film viewing session.
Start Year 2014
 
Description "Caring Consumers? A Historical Assessment", ESRC Ethics in Consumption: Interdisciplinary Perspectives seminar series, University of Glasgow Adam Smith Business School, 12 September 2016 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact The talk was part of professional exercise to feed back insights into current ESRC projects.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description "Decarbonisation Déjà Vu", Nesta event on energy transitions 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Trentmann appeared in a roundtable for stakeholders in government, civil society, business as part of "Decarbonisation Déjà Vu", Nesta event on energy transitions, 14 December 2021 (on-line).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.nesta.org.uk/event/decarbonisation-recent-consumer-behaviour-change/
 
Description "Everyday Futures", Institute for Social Futures, Lancaster University, 14-15 July 2016 (Wright R) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Participated in an interdisciplinary workshop organized by the Institute of Social Futures at Lancaster University on the subject of "everyday futures". The workshop brought together 25 international academic and practitioners to explore the notion of "everyday futures" through a series of hand-on activities. The debates and discussion arising from the workshop resulted in the publication of a series of short essays posted on the Everyday Futures website, and a special magazine edition in ACM Interactions.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://wp.lancs.ac.uk/everydayfutures/essay-collection/
 
Description "Futures Past: Experts, Development and Sustainability", 27-29 April 2016, Institute of Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Potsdam, Germany (co-organiser). 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact The event led to a series of blogs with the International Social Science Council (ISSC) and the International Council for SWcience (ICSU) on lessons from research on expertise in the past for the present.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description "Historical Method and Practice Theory", panel at DEMAND 2016 conference: What Energy is For - the Making and Dynamics of Demand, Lancaster, 14 April 2016. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact The aim of the talk was to feed back historical research and method into social-science research network.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description "Konsumgeschichten - kritische Bilanz und Ausblick: Macht, Energie, Praxis", Kolloqium, Institut für Zeitgeschichte, Munich and Ludwig Maximilian Universität Munich, 8 June 2016 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact The main purpose of the talk was to raise international awareness about the AHRC project and research findings. It also provided an opportunity to exchange ideas about energy-related issues.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description "Material Cultures of Energy", talk to the Energy@Cambridge Strategic Research Initiative 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Talk is part of the in Search of 'Good' Energy Policy seminars hosted at the Centre for Research in the Arts Social Sciences and Humanities (CRASSH) Energy Group, University of Cambridge. The purpose of the meeting is to feed insights from historical research into discussion of "good" energy policy.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://www.energy.cam.ac.uk/
 
Description "The Social Life of Energy Futures" (with Rebecca Wright), EDF Research&Development, Paris/Saclay, 19 November 2016 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact The event generated EDF's interest in historical research on energy transitions and lessons from past.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description "Towards a heuristic of democratic sustainability and transformation?", IASS, Potsdam, 4-5 December 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Participated in an interdisciplinary workshop organized by the Institute of Advanced Sustainability Studies at IASS, Potsdam. The workshop brought together 17 international academic and practitioners to explore the subject of democratic sustainable transitions. Wright participated in debates at the workshop and was invited to be the lead discussant on the final panel drawing together themes on the workshop. There are plans for a future publication to emerge from the workshop.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description 'Is Your Journey Really Necessary?'QUB staff blog 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Shin contributed 'Is Your Journey Really Necessary?': COP26 and our travel habits in the post-COVID-19 world' as part of the blog series Queen's Voices on COP26 in November 2021.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/StaffGateway/staff-blog/IsYourJourneyReallyNecessaryCOP26andourtravelhab...
 
Description 'Material Cultures of Energy', European University Institute (EUI), Florence, 3 December 2020. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Trentmann gave an academic seminar talk at the European University Institute on 3 December 2020.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description 2014-02 Workshop 'Scales of Disruption: Methods, Experiences and Insights' 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact The project co-organised a workshop with the Disruption Network (EPSRC/RCUK Energy Programme to explore low carbon travel practices. See also in the Partners section UWE) to address past experiences and theoretical perspectives on disruptions. In addition to project members, the workshop was attended by: Tim Chatterton (University of West England); Lee Davies (Defra); James Faulconbridge (Lancaster University); Catherine Grandclément (EDF France); Guida Kristen (Climate Southeast); Ali Hawker (DECC); Greg Marsden (Leeds University); Lesley Murray (University of Brighton); Helen Roby (Open University); Clare Sheffield (Transport for London); Elizabeth Shove (Lancaster University); Hendrik Vollmer (Bielefeld University). Academics and policy makers exchanged views on disruption and on how academic research could inform policy decision-making and, vice versa, how current policy concerns feed into academic research . The discussion brought to light challenges that researchers face in translating research into a policy context. The workshop highlighted the importance of learning from different fields of research and practice, and led to a new network of interested parties from the policy sector and academia. For Disruption Network: http://www.disruptionproject.net/


The workshop led to new network of interested parties from academia and policy making.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
 
Description 2014-04 Meetings with the World Energy Council 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact We have had a number of meetings with the World Energy Council (WEC) to discuss the history project in which we have been engaged and also future collaborative work and participation in the WEC's congress. (The history of the WEC produced by the project members, Wright, Shin and Trentmann, From World Power Conference to World Energy Council: 90 Years of Energy Cooperation, 1923-2013 (London: World Energy Council), see http://www.worldenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/A-Brief-History-of-the-World-Energy-Council.pdf ).

We discussed the project teams' contribution to a historical text on WEC's past activity, including an analysis of the organisation's past forecasting of world's energy resources. We also met with selected members of WEC's national committees, including the Romanian national committee, and project members advised on re-discovering national historical memory and how to use history to support current activities. These meetings have led to WEC's greater appreciation of historical research in this future-oriented organisation. Through this activity, we are making an impact on a wide community of energy experts and policy makers, raising the profile of long-term historical perspective on energy issues.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014,2015,2016
 
Description 2014-07 Seminar presentation 'Two faces of Japan's energy history: Household energy in late 20th century Japan' (Manchester University, Shin) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact This talk at the Sustainable Consumption Institute, Manchester University addressed the development of diversified household energy consumption in Japan. The audience expressed a keen interest in the neglected history of household energy consumption in Japan, where existing accounts mostly deal with industrial energy use. A participant reported that she learnt a great deal about the little-known background of Japan's rise as a country exporting diverse energy-using appliances. Another participant said the talk led her to think about more carefully about the gendered nature aspect of energy use. After the talk, I was asked to contribute to a blog series hosted by the Sustainable Consumption Institute, Manchester University (for the blog contribution, please see '2014-08 Blog entry 'How to Make Cooling Measures Cooler?''

After the talk, I was asked to contribute to a blog series hosted by the Sustainable Consumption Institute, Manchester University.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
 
Description 2014-08 Blog entry 'How to Make Cooling Measures Cooler?' (SCI, Manchester University, Shin) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The blog entry discussed the UK Committee on Climate Change's Adaptation Sub-Committee Progress Report (2014) and how to improve its public impact, by referring to the historical development of air-conditioning in the USA and Japan. In presenting an alternative framework for adaptation to global warming through the use of 'assistive' technology (e.g. electric fan, insulation and home decoration) rather than air-conditioning, the essay raised awareness of non-technical solutions to adaptation.

After the publication of the blog entry, we have received further requests from other organisation to contribute in the similar format.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
URL http://www.sci.manchester.ac.uk/library/how-make-cooling-measures-cooler-hiroki-shin-19-august-2014
 
Description 2014-08 Chappells visit/ meetings with EDF researchers in Paris 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Visit to EDF in Paris and meetings with researchers, including Sylvie Douzou (EDF R&D Scientific Leader on energy efficiency/ demand), Catherine Grandclément (EDF Research Group on Energy, Technology and Society), Marie-Helene Laurent (EDF Senior Researcher - Energy in Buildings and Territories), Mathieu Durand-Daubin (GRETS - Demand and Load Curves). Discussions with EDF researchers facilitated exchange of data on historical transformations of networked space and disruption with relation to consumers/ demand in France, for comparison with Canadian/UK context. Further discussions with EDF researchers (Catherine Grandclément) at a project workshop in London on disruption resulted in plans for a joint publication on 'Disruption, grids and demand'.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
 
Description 2014-08 Manchester Museum of Science & Industry visit 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The meeting discussed the project's main research themes, the Science Museum's current and future programmes relating to energy and potential collaboration beyond the project's original plans. The participants are: Tim Boon (Science Museum London), Jack Kirby (MOSI), Jan Hicks (MOSI curator), Susannah Williams (MOSI), Alice Cliff (MOSI). Our MOSI colleagues explained how they interpret and use scientific knowledge to engage young audiences, and the meeting brought out the project's potential impact on younger museum visitors through participatory events, and ways in which our project could be used for public events through interpretive work. After the meeting, the PI (Trentmann) received a request to attend a consultation meeting at MOSI for planning a future exhibition.

After the meeting, the PI (Trentmann) received a request to attend a consultation meeting at the MOSI for planning a future exhibition.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
 
Description 2014-09 Saijo High School 'Sustainable Society: a Meeting to Discuss Energy Usage' event, Ehime, Japan 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Two project members gave lectures on cultural differences in energy using and saving practices. They emphasised the need for thinking about changing society's energy use through practice rather than relying too much on technological development. Our lectures and ensuing discussion with high school students motivated students to think carefully and analytically about conventional energy, renewable energy and energy-using practice in different cultures. After the event, students sent us feedback, which demonstrated the strong impression left by our message of using social and cultural pathways to create sustainable energy future. One student wrote: "I realised that we are currently facing many difficult problems regarding technology and resources. I was also forced to consider just what I can do personally." The school principal wrote: "The event provided a valuable experience that is not a part of the normal studies for these pupils." A regional newspaper (circulation approximately 260,000) reported on the event: "An event attendant, second-year student commented that, through the event, he became aware of the complexity of the energy problem." As a result, between 2015 and 2016, the high school organised a series of extra-curricular seminar series on sustainable energy, in which students learned about the global energy situation, the role of renewable energy and changing conditions of the energy market. Please also see '2015-08 A Discussion Event 'How can we Change our Energy Use?' at Saijo High School, Japan'.

We are invited to suggest similar events in the subsequent year.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
URL http://saijo-h.esnet.ed.jp/eng/uploads/20140909_Eng.pdf
 
Description 2014-10 Joint meeting with 'The Power and the Water' research project, Matlock, Derbyshire 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact Joining a meeting and field trip organised by the Power and the Water project, our project members gave short presentations on our four research themes and had Q&A sessions. Through the ensuing discussion, we identified areas of mutual interest and potential collaboration. This also led to further activity. For example, after the meeting, Taylor had a meeting with one of their project PhD students to discuss the student's research on the power network, potential historical records and theoretical perspectives. Taylor was also invited to a workshop organised by The Power and the Water project in Bristol.

One of our research group members (Taylor) was requested to participate in a workshop in June 2015.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
 
Description 2014-11 First Advisory Committee Meeting 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? Yes
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact This was the first Advisory Committee meeting held on 3 Nov 2014. The project team presented the initial direction of research activity, followed by a Q&A and discussion with the advisory committee members. Participants were: Colin Baines (The Co-operative Group); Tim Boon (Science Museum Group); Lee Davies (Defra); Christoph Frei (World Energy Council, deputised by Catriona Nurse, WEC); Patrick Russell (BFI) Elizabeth Shove (Lancaster University); Paul Warde (UEA and Cambridge University). The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss planing the public engagement activities by the project with partners and other bodies. It also solicited input from the advisors about potential topics and research material.

The meeting led to a better understanding of the project's ongoing work and directions for advisory members.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
 
Description 2014-12 AHRC Care for the Future event 'Thinking Forward through the Past Environment and Sustainability 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? Yes
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact The project members gave a presentation on the research themes and provisional findings of the project. The presentation led to a greater understanding of our research project among people working within the same funding scheme. With other participants, we exchanged information regarding the methods of public engagement activities and opportunities. As a result of this meeting, for example, we have established connections with the 'Earth in Vision' project conducted at the Open University.

We have established some new connections with other research projects.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
 
Description 2014-12 Blog entry 'When the Lights Go Out' 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact This blog on past energy disruptions was published on the AHRC 'Care for the Future' webpage. It discussed long-term problems of energy across the twentieth century, and shed light on the distributional politics in energy disruptions, which provide an important lesson for both developed and developing countries in relation to future energy security. As There has been little longitudinal discussion of energy disruptions; the blog aimed to stimulate thinking about historical continuities and the value of historical case studies for thinking about contemporary and future energy problems. The publication was addressed both to other academics in the same scheme, and provided a way to engage with a wider audience from the Care for the Future scheme and beyond. On the access number to the blog page, awaiting information from the AHRC.

As much as the publication was addressed to other academics in the same scheme, it provided us a way to engage with a wider audience who are interested in other project in the scheme. After the publication of this entry, we were asked by other institutions for contribution in a similar format.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
URL http://careforthefuture.exeter.ac.uk/2014/12/when-the-lights-go-out/
 
Description 2014-12 Seminar presentation 'Preparing Energy Consumers for New Energy: The Formation of Social Knowledge about Solar Energy in Japan, 1973-1993' (Manchester University, Shin) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact This presentation discussed the development of solar energy in Japan in the context of the creation and circulation of socio-technical knowledge. It was attended by the members of the Sustainable Consumption Institute, University of Manchester, including postgraduate students. The talk stimulated the audience to think about the forgotten rural origins of solar energy, and addressed the diverse social and cultural impacts of renewable energy, and its links to tourism and public exhibitions. As current discussions about renewable energy promotion are focused mostly on financial incentives, the talk encouraged the audience to think more about extra-economic factors that contribute to the proliferation of renewable energy use.

Some of the audience told the speaker that the talk stimulated her to think about the topic differently.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
 
Description 2015-02 Trentmann as commentator in 'Energy in History' conference, Cambridge University 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Type Of Presentation keynote/invited speaker
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact The workshop provided an opportunity to use the project research to advise and lead postgraduate students on their PhD projects. A PhD student working for the project benefitted by presenting a paper and receiving comments on it. The event also worked to expand our network to the community of postgraduate students and early career researchers working in related fields.

Some of the comments are to benefit presenters' future work including degree theses.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description 2015-03 'Thinking about Energy' Study Event for Saijo High School at the Science Museum, London 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact This event was attended by 30 students and three teachers from Saijo High School, Japan. A lecture by Shin on UK energy history illustrated links between industrialisation and current environmental concerns around energy use. It was followed by the pupils' exploration of the museum, in which the students were asked to think about differences in energy development in the UK and Japan. These activities clearly stimulated pupils interest, apparent in the post-meeting reports submitted by pupils. The event was featured in the project website (http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mce/activities/exploring-ene rgy-in-museum/). A month later, in Saijo City, Japan, the pupils attended a public event (around 100 audience attended the event) in which they reported their activity in the museum event. Here, students also presented on how their views on energy had been changed by the event. They talked about how they took for granted the benefits of energy before attending the event and how, through comparing energy usage in Japan and the UK, they could now depart from what they previously thought was 'normal' and think more proactively about improving everyday energy use. This event was attended by the deputy mayor of Saijo, the students' families and the local public. On the occasion of the post-event meeting (in which Shin appeared via Skype and gave a talk) one of the high school's teacher wrote: 'The study trip members appreciated your comments and it was the first time for the parents and local dignitaries to hear your explanation about energy consumption and our session with you at the Science Museum. They were very much impressed, I am hoping that they will continue to realise that this study trip can offer an important aspect to the pupils' high school education.'

Dr Shin was asked to appear, via Skype, a public event held at Saijo City, Japan. Also, this event led to the planning of a public event in the same city, expected to be held in November 2016.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mce/activities/exploring-energy-in-museum/
 
Description 2015-06 - present, project website 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact We launched a website (http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mce/) dedicated to the research project. This graphically striking site provides up-to-date information about the project's aims, research and activities. In the blog section, we detail various academic activities, our public engagement activities, and our work with external organisations. The website pools information about the project and acts as a nodal point linking our diverse partners and networks. The website is frequently checked by concerned and interested parties in the UK but also abroad, e.g., such as an academic from Portugal who, contacted us through the website to enquiry potential collaboration. The website will be used for future public engagement activities to publicise events and disseminate information. It is linked to a Twitter account (@MatCultEnergy) set up to communicate more timely information and expand our network. Excluding several months, during which the access data is not available from technical reasons, the website has had more than 7,500 page views.

Yet to be known.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mce/
 
Description 2015-06 Chappells visit to Canadian Science and Technology Museum, Ottawa, Canada 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Visit to archive and meetings with museum curators and staff regarding energy-related collections, including tour of material technologies collection and access to textual materials. Meetings with museum staff, including curator and assistant curator of natural resources. Discussion about current museum research projects (e.g. historical diffusion of energy technologies in Canadian homes) and potential for future collaboration (publication, exhibits) and participation of CSTM curator in planned project workshop (e.g. RCC / Deutsche Museum or UK Science Museum). Museum staff provided access to internal reports on energy collections and exchanged information on relevant Canadian energy/ material culture researchers/ institutions.

n/a
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description 2015-06 Poster presentation at Greenwich University stakeholder event (Taylor) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Taylor produced a poster presentation for the project at a Student Union's Sustainability Hub 'Future Fair', attended by environmental organisations and bodies such as the New Economics Foundation. The poster highlighted the work of the MCE project amongst the student body and the relevance of past visions of the future and 'sustainable' energy practices. The same poster was featured in an event at Greenwich University on race and ethnic minorities in June 2015.

n/a
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description 2015-06 Taylor presentation, 'The Power and Water' workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact Taylor participated in a workshop organised by 'The Power and the Water' project (AHRC 'Care for the Future' Programme) as one of a group of external participants - artists, activists and academics from a range of disciplines - invited to explore synergies between their own work and that of the project researchers and to discuss the Power and Water book proposal. Taylor's work in the fields of water and energy enabled her to explore ways in which developments in energy networks changed understandings of water, calls for a national 'water grid' since the 1930s. Her contribution also highlighted the importance of consumer agency and of differentiated household members in the evolution of energy generation and supply systems. Taylor went on to become external examiner for one of the PhD candidates on the Power and the Water project team (11-2017).

n/a
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description 2015-07 Wright presentation 'The aesthetics of energy', Chisenhale Gallery, London 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The talk accompanied the exhibition "Ancient Lights" by the Australian artist Nicholas Mangan. About 50 members of the public attended, after which there was a prolonged series of question and answers, and further requests for information. As a result of the talk it was proposed that Wright might contribute some writing to the catalogue of Mangan's next exhibition.

n/a
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://www.chisenhale.org.uk/archive/exhibitions/index.php?id=175
 
Description 2015-08 A Discussion Event 'How can we Change our Energy Use?' at Saijo High School, Japan 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact The twenty students attending the event (half of them also participated in the study event in March 2015) expressed their views on energy saving based on their personal experience. As the mediator, Shin led the discussion for students to think more carefully and broadly about the topic. On this occasion, we also invited the Kyocera company (a major manufacturer of residential rooftop PV panels) to contribute to the educational programme, with two instructors attending (including one from the company's headquarters). The event therefore provided an opportunity for the high school to connect with a major corporation for collaborative education, while the event directly affected students thinking. Afterwards, students reported a change in their views. One student wrote: 'In the discussion, I learnt how to think about the energy problem using different scales. I thought that approaching the problem using both the small scale of households to the big scale of society would lead to a better understanding of energy consumption, which would help us find better use of energy.' The event encouraged students to engage in the energy problem not as a distant matter but as something close to their everyday life.

This event forms a part of a series of study events with Saijo High School. See other entries related to the project's engagement with the high school.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description 2015-09 Meeting at Science Museum (Boon, Trentmann, Shin) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact This is part of the partnership activity with the Science Museum Group (Tim Boon). We chiefly discussed plans for the joint workshop in September 2016. A list of participants was drawn up, and a contribution to the official magazine of the Science Museum was agreed upon. The workshop will bring together academics and museum curators to discuss the experience and future direction of energy-related exhibitions in museums. Through this meeting, we came to a stronger mutual understanding about the necessity for communication between academics and curators working together to improve the quality of energy-related exhibits in museums.

Tim Boon (Science Museum) suggested to publish an article in the Science Museum's official journal as an output from the 2016 workshop, which was agreed.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description 2015-09 Second Advisory Committee Meeting 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? Yes
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact This was the second advisory committee meeting held on 15 September 2015. The project team reported on the progress of the project and circulated a written report on the activity in the past year. The meeting also discussed planned events and research outputs. Participants were: Evan Davis (BBC), Paul Warde (Cambridge University), Elizabeth Shove (Lancaster University), Sylvie Douzou (EDF France), Patrick Russell (BFI), Colin Baines (energy and environment consultant), Catriona Nurse (WEC, delegating Christoph Frei). The PI and CI reported on the project's activities in the first year. CI explained the public engagement plans in Japan, and our advisors provided ideas and suggestions as to how to organise public events, especially the art contest planned for 2016. The PI and other members presented provisional ideas for how to integrate research outputs in a monograph, receiving comments on its structure and alternative suggestions for outputs. The meeting led to the advisory committee's deeper understanding about the wide ranging activities of the project. At the same time, the advisors from broadcasting and museum sectors confirmed the strength of the project's thematic organisation.

No direct external impact.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description 2015-10 Science Museum Research & Public History Department Annual Report 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact In this report, we elaborated on our collaborative work with the Science Museum group (Science Museum, London; Manchester Museum of Science & Industry) during the first year of the project. We explained the scope of the September 2016 workshop with the Science Museum and how important it is for the MCE project to work closely with museums. The report worked to highlight the mutual benefits accruing from collaborative research and engagement between academics and staff and stakeholders in the museum sector and energy policy worlds. The report will be circulated among affiliates of the Science Museum Group, including its stakeholders, committees and attendants to its conferences.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description 2015-11 Trentmann meeting at MOSI regarding the 'Body Electric' exhibition 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Trentmann served as a consulting academic to MOSI/Wellcome curators, feeding into their ideas and design for an exhibition on electricity , which opened in February 2017. The discussion led to enquiries about the research project, and was followed by email communication among participants. A follow-up meeting with curators is planned. MOSI requested continued involvement in the planning of the exhibition. New connections were established through the meeting: Graeme Gooday (Leeds University) and Lucy Shanahan (Wellcome Collection) have agreed to participate in our workshop on energy cultures at the Science Museum in September 2016.

MOSI requested continued involvement in the planning of the exhibition.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description 2015-12 Blog entry: 'COP21 in Paris and the Year 1965' (Shin) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact This blog essay examined how ideas about energy and economic development have changed (or, unchanged) in the last 50 years. It demonstrated that, despite the increased influence of environmental ideas, the international situation regarding the divide between developed and developing countries has little changed - shown by the fact that developed and developing countries had different priorities over the energy issue already in the 1960s. The blog entry was publicised on Twitter. A reader of the essay, in Japan, wrote that the essay admirably employed historical cases to highlight contemporary problem, especially when the discussion on energy in the Far East - for its preoccupation with future development - tends to neglect historical aspects of the problem. The essay therefore helped to expand the scope of the discussion of energy and COP21.

No direct impact.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://www.bbk.ac.uk/reluctantinternationalists/blog/the-paris-climate-agreement-and-the-year-1965-h...
 
Description 2015-12 UKERC (UK Energy Research Centre) newsletter/blog contribution 'Energy Lessons from History' by Shin and Trentmann 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Our contribution explained how the recent events such as National Grid's demand control measures and the UK government's decision on withdrawing renewable subsidies can be analysed and evaluated by using historical experience. These arguments were addressed to a large community of policy makers and researchers at UK Energy Research Centre. The newsletter was sent to 1,500 subscribers. Our contribution raised awareness of overlooked historical aspects of current energy problems among the community of energy researchers. After our contribution, we were asked to participate in a conference organised by the UKERC at Oxford. The newsletter contribution also established a new network, in which we are able to advise on historical enquiries (including one from a UKERC Academic Engagement Manager about Japan's coal policy in the 1950s).

We have yet to receive response from readers.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://www.ukerc.ac.uk/network/network-news/guest-blog-energy-lessons-from-history.html
 
Description 2016-01 BBC Forum on Consumerism and Sustainability 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact In this radio programme, Trentmann discussed new research about consumerism and sustainability. The programme had one million listeners. This activity raised international awareness on the issues the MCE project is addressing, and generated contacts and further exchange. Among these was a former Financial Times journalist now working on energy consumption, with follow-up meetings scheduled.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03f3wfp
 
Description 2016-11 Workshop at Hitotsubashi University, Japan 'Energy Transitions: Current Understandings and Future Directions' 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact The workshop was held to compare and discuss various approaches in understanding energy transitions in the past, present and future. The event brought together various energy-related parties including civil servants from the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, US Embassy in Tokyo, a CEO of energy consultancy, in addition to scholars and students who studied energy-related topics in environmental economics, history, engineering, geography. In total, eighteenth participants attended the event. Case studies were presented on local renewable energy, energy policy in Japan and the USA, energy investment, the history of energy use rationalisation in Japanese industries, the post-2011 nuclear power policy and household energy transitions.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description 7 July 2016, advisory group meeting at WEC 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact The advisory meeting was participated by the MCE research members, Tim Boon (Science Museum); Lee Davies (Defra); Patrick Russell (BFI) and Elizabeth Shove (Lancaster University). We reported recent activities of the research project and future events. The meeting discussed the forms and details of project's research outputs, for which participants provided their expertise. There was a separate meeting with Russell and Boon, in which we made plans for a collaborative event with BFI.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description A Comparative History of Energy Crisis Management - June 2016 at Hitotsubashi University 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact As part of partnership activity with Hitotsubashi University, Shin gave a seminar presentation on the comparative history of energy crisis management in England and Japan. The seminar was attended by undergraduate, postgraduate and academic member staff of the environmental economics section of the university. The paper discussed how strategies for energy crisis management differed according to the political ideas and attitude toward different types of consumers. The talk's implications on today's energy management attracted attention from the audience and a participant noted that the talk illuminated the historical continuity in energy crisis management from the early twentieth century until today.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Advisory meeting, 9 May 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact The meeting discussed the project's final event, the BFI film event and the project members reported the activities in 2016/2017. The meeting was attended by Trentmann, Shin, Taylor, Wright and Lee Davis (Defra); Elizabeth Shove (Lancaster), Tim Boon (Science Museum); Colin Baines; Patrick Russell (BFI).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description All India Women's Conference (AIWC), Delhi, Jan 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Discussion with Kalyani Raj about the NGO's role in cookstove reform programmes as the nodal agency responsible for coordinating the Government national program on improved cookstoves within India's rural communities. Review of documents relating to community-led approaches to extend cleaner cooking devices into villages and urban areas. The meeting led to produce some insights into the social, cultural and political context for engaging rural women in cookstove initiatives, and persistence of traditional fuels and practices.
Understanding of the current political context driving new initiatives in renewable cooking fuels.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Appropriate Rural Technology Institute (ARTI), Pune, Jan 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Visit with ARTI president, M.S.Siddheshwar and colleagues to discuss experience of community case studies relating to design, promotion and social evaluation of different improved cookstove technologies in rural India. The visit led to identifying different material and cultural challenges in the transition to cleaner cookstoves and diversity of use issues.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description BBC3 "Green Thinking: Energy" 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Trentmann appeared in a BBC3 podcast "Green Thinking: Energy" in Nov. 2021 to coincide with COP26.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0b2774q
 
Description Blog-series: 'Experts: Past, Present and Future', blog-series with the International Social Science Council 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Trentmann served as a co-editor of the blog series created jointly with the International Social Science Council.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://expertspastpresentfuture.net/
 
Description Declutter your cupboard if you want, but it won't save the planet 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Discusses the thesis of "peak stuff" and dematerialisation. Uses evidence to reject it, and points to the rising use of energy in leisure and daily lives and the continuing pressure on the planet.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jan/06/sharing-economy-selfish-consumption-fundamenta...
 
Description Domesticating Energy: Energy environments inside and outside the home 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The project organized an interdisciplinary workshop with Pembroke College, Cambridge and the Joint Center for History and Economics. The workshop brought together 20 international academic and practitioners to explore the subject of energy transitions within the home. The conference started an interdisciplinary dialogue about the different ways to approach energy transitions in the home, and how to reconcile these differences. Future outputs were considered, although there are currently no plans for further outputs. One member from the Government Office for Science attended the workshop and commented on how it would inform elements of his practice in the future. He also offered further support and contact for future endeavours.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mce/events/domesticating-energy-workshop-cambridge/
 
Description EVCOM event at BFI, Fuelling Film: Corporate Film & the Energy Sector, March 2020 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Shin (PI) was invited to take part in a panel discussion at the Event & Visual Communication Association meeting at the British Film Institute. He is asked to act as a panellist and comment on the role of visual media in energy-related public communication.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.evcom.org.uk/events-and-awards
 
Description Ehime Newspaper, Japan 'Energy Transition - the key is citizens' participation' 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact At the public event held in Saijo City in November 2016, Shin was interviewed by the Ehime Newspaper. The article featured Shin's comments about the importance of consumers' participation in the future energy transitions. Ehime Newspaper has approximately 650,000 readers, being the largest and most influential newspaper in Ehime prefecture.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL https://www.ehime-np.co.jp/article/news201612027013
 
Description Energy Drawing Competition, Saijo City, Ehime, Japan 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact As part of the project, the MCE organised a drawing competition in Saijo City, Ehime, Japan. With the cooperation of the regional Education Board, we solicited entries from local primary, secondary and high schools and, as the result, we received total 491 entries to the competition. Some entries came from individuals but most of the entries came from schools, where drawing competition was picked up as an extracurricular session. We selected five first prizes, six second prizes and twenty third prizes according to the selection guidelines we drew up. All entries, along with prize winners' drawings were exhibited at the Saijo Culture Centre on 19 November 2016, when we presented the prizes to prize winners in a public event. The prize winners' drawings were also shown on slideshow during the public event. The competition helped us stimulate interest in energy problems among schoolchildren in the city. Through participating in the competition, competition participants were encouraged to think more about their use of energy than they normally do. Some participants incorporated a message to cherish the earth through careful use of its resources. Some depicted future energy life with technological development, while others focused on negative aspects of what the future will hold. A number of participants reported that, by participating in the competition, they came to think more carefully about the issue of energy, which they took for granted. The prize winners' drawings will be featured on the project's website, for a wider public and international audience. This type of energy art event, especially the one involving young children is unique, and our event can become a model for future similar events. Saijo City Office and the city's educational board expressed their appreciation that such an event was held in the city. The event's impact will be a long-term, due to the publicity work during the competition (thanks to the cooperation of the City Office and local media) and the 'participation prize', solar LED torches, distributed to all participants, which will remind them of their taking part in the drawing competition and how hard they thought about the theme of energy future and society.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mce/activities/mce-energy-drawing-competition/
 
Description Energy Narratives in Past Energy Exhibitions (Queen's University Belfast, Centre for Public History Blog) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Shin contributed to the Centre for Public History blog series at Queen's University Belfast. The blog is read by QUB students, museum practitioners and the general public. The blog entry was re-blogged by the Imperial War Museum.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/CentreforPublicHistory/Blog/
 
Description Energy Study Event - Saijo High School Nov 2016 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact After Shin's visit to Saijo City in May 2016, he worked with six Saijo High School students on their local energy survey. The students interviewed 50 local residents and considered how energy use patterns and practices have changed over the last three generations. Through a series of study sessions, the students prepared two reports, which became the basis for their presentation at the public event held in November 2016 (see the separate entry for the public event). Before the public event, we had the final study session to discuss the general findings of their research. All the six students attended the event, as well as five members from the City Office as observers. Also, Dr Yamashita from Hitotsubashi University joined the session. The 90-minutes session was interactive and students were keen to express their ideas and opinions about energy in society and its historical changes. The session was mentioned in a local newspaper article, in which one student was quoted as saying that 'through the study session, I have come to realise that we have to discuss energy across different generations'.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL https://www.ehime-np.co.jp/article/news201612027013
 
Description Energy Transitions Public Event 'Energy Forum', Saijo City, Ehime, Japan - Nov 2016 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact As part of our partnership with Saijo City, we organised a public event at the Saijo Culture Centre. The event featured talks by the Deputy Mayor (delegated by the Mayor); a representative from the regional energy ministry; a civil servant from the energy section of the city; an academic expert on local renewable energy, along with two presentations by the member of the project (Trentmann and Shin). The event was attended by 139 people excluding speakers and those from the City Office. The participants' age groups were diverse, as the event was held in conjunction with the presentation of the Drawing Competition prizes (see the separate entry for the competition), which meant that some of the participants to the competition (primary, secondary and high school students) and their parents attended the event. Also, among the audience were those from local energy-related businesses. For example, Kyocera's (Japan's largest solar panel seller) local office representatives attended the event. The event was featured in a regional newspaper and some online news websites. One participant noted that the event 'helped us think about the culture of energy'. The energy section of the City Office acknowledged that the event offered a great opportunity for the section members' training - the presentation given by one of the members, prepared by the section as a whole, helped them to put the City's energy-related activity in a broader context. The event formed a part of the city's revision of its energy policy and, on 13 January 2017, the city made public its 'renewable city building programme', for which our partnership had some influence.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL https://www.ehime-np.co.jp/article/news201612027013
 
Description Energy Transitions in the 20th century - Lessons from the Past for the Future 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact A public event organised by the project on 30 November 2017, Dana Research Centre, Science Museum, London. This was an engagement event to disseminate key findings of MCE to key stakeholders through talks, poster display, interactive activities, film projection, oral history stand and an exhibition of energy-related objects from the Science Museum. The event was attended by those from the energy sector, government, public organisations, NGOs and also by academic experts on energy. The three interactive activities were particularly well-received as a unique method to convey the project's research findings in a participatory fashion. The energy transition research strand organised a quiz session; the energy disruption strand communicated its research outcomes through a simulation of decision-making process using historical and hypothetical cases of energy shortage; the energy futures strand asked the participants to draw up their own projections of future energy consumption. The energy-object exhibition proved to be conducive to engage the audience with the project's 'material culture' approach. Some feedback from participants: "Brilliant - Enjoyable - Thought provoking - Much better way of presenting - Interactive and an opportunity to contribute." (a public sector participant); "Excellent event. The separate activities worked well - enjoyed the discussions + hearing the variety of ideas/knowledge" (an academic participant); "Really appreciated the physical exhibits as well as the info on the walls, and the discussion." (a government energy policy participant).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mce/activities/mce-final-event-finding-sheets/
 
Description Energy Transitions on Display, QUB seminar talk 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Shin gave a talk at the Public History seminar, Queen's University Belfast.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Energy Visualization Symposium, University of Plymouth, 24 June 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Shin (PI) was invited to Energy Visualization Symposium at the University of Plymouth. This workshop was to discuss various forms of energy visualisation projects conducted around the university. One of the organisers, Dr Julie Goodhew took part in one of the project's knowledge exchange sessions and the project conference. Some new contacts at the energy industry and campaign bodies have been established.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description First Knowledge Exchange Session 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact On 18 December, the project held its first knowledge exchange session in the Dana Research Centre, Science Museum, on the theme of 'object-based communication' (the project's Challenge One).
The meeting was introduced by Dr Shin, the project PI, followed by short talks by Mr Russell and Prof Trentmann - the two Co-Investigators. The first part of the session was entitled 'Object-based communication in action' in which Jan Hicks (Science and Industry Museum), Jonny Morgan (Electricity North West), Bob Fenton (EDF Energy), Will Swan (University of Salford) presented their experience and insights into communication work employing physical objects.

The second part 'Objects, Practices and new Technologies' addressed the question of new technology and changing consumer practice. Heather Chappells (University of British Columbia), Jonathan Atkinson (Carbon Co-Op) and Sarah Darby (University of Oxford) gave talks on the topic.

This meeting also served as a kick-off meeting for the entire project and most of the key stakeholders had opportunity to introduce themselves, including their current and recent work concerning energy-related public communication.

The meeting was attended by Hiroki Shin (Science Museum), Ben Russell (Science Museum), Frank Trentmann (Birkbeck), Heather Chappells (University of British Columbia),Rebecca Wright (University of Northumbria), Vanessa Taylor (University of Greenwich),Poppy Walter (BEIS), Liz Haines (University of Bristol), Jon Hall (Community Energy England), Helen Peavitt (Science Museum), Jonathan Atkinson (Carbon Co-Op) and Sarah Darby (University of Oxford), Jan Hicks (Science and Industry Museum), Jonny Morgan (Electricity North West), Bob Fenton (EDF Energy), Will Swan (University of Salford)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Fourth Knowledge Exchange 'Energy Communication, Behaviour Change and Beyond' 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The fourth and final knowledge exchange session was originally planned to discuss the role of public communication in changing energy users' behaviour. During the planning phase of the knowledge exchange, the scope of the session was broadened to include broader issues surrounding communication and behaviour - such as the question of how can energy communication be understand as part of everyday energy use. Sarah Royston (Anglia Ruskin University) gave a brief presentation on the ways remote medical service provisions are changing the pattern of energy consumption. Andrew Schein (Behavioural Insights Team, BIT) introduced several recent BIT trials on energy-related behaviour change. Rachel Lilley (University of Aberystwyth) reported the results from her project on energy consumption coaching. Matt Watson discussed the theoretical and methodological implication of changing scholarly attention away from behaviour change to social practices as a way to conceptualise the complexity of energy use within society. Other participants were:
? Frank Trentmann (Birkbeck)
? Ben Russell (Science Museum London)
? Jonathan Atkinson (Carbon Co-op)
? Tim Boon (Science Museum)
? Paul Coleman (Science and Media Museum)
? Sarah Darby (University of Oxford)
? Liz Haines (University of Bristol)
? Jon Hall (Community Energy England)
? Jan Hicks (Science and Industry Museum)
? Jonny Morgan (Electricity North West)
? Moira Nicolson (Ofgem)
? Zara Qadir (Sustainable Gas Institute, Imperial College London)

The session showcased recent research developments in the field of energy and everyday practice. It served as an opportunity to consider energy communication from the perspective of behaviour and everyday practice. Participants discussed about the practical benefits of reconceptualising energy use and how to translate the practice-based perspective into practical policy recommendations. The exchange of perspectives between academic and practitioners' standpoints was the most valuable achievement from the session.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mce/activities/fourth-knowledge-exchange-session-energy-communication-behaviour...
 
Description Frank Trentmann and Rebecca Wright, "The Future is Now", Oil [Program], Almeida Theatre, Oct-Nov 2016 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Trentmann and Wright provided an article for program of the new theatre production of Oil which had its world premier at the Almeida Theatre, London, commissioned by the theatre. The performance was highly acclaimed (Awarded 4* by the Guardian, Independent, Time Out, Evening Standard, Sunday Times, The Observer and Mail on Sunday) and ran from 7 Oct 2016-26 Nov 2016.The catalogue was sold to audience members throughout this time. The article used our research to provide audiences with a historical perspective on energy in society. 2,700 copies of the programme were printed and sold out. The theatre used the programme to examine the questions raised by our work and provoke discussion, and the audience response was very good; e.g. audience comment 'the programme which really aided access to and contextualisation of the play.'
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL https://almeida.co.uk/whats-on/oil/7-oct-2016-26-nov-2016
 
Description Gender and agency in the Anthropocene: Energy women in twentieth-century Britain 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact This was a blog essay for the Arcadia Blog series at the Rachel Carson Center Website.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Histories of Women and Energy by V Taylor 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Taylor was invited to give a talk at a funded workshop held at the Rachel Carson Center, Munich.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description History and Heritage Adult Learning London Environment Festival 2020 Planning Meeting 4 June 2019, Wellcome Collection 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Shin (PI) and Vanessa Taylor (project member) took part in a planning meeting of the Raphael Samuel History Centre to discuss the theme and contents of the RSHC's public history festival in 2020. Taylor and Shin gave brief talks on the Material Cultures of Energy project and the Communicating Material Cultures of Energy project, and suggested potential topics and approaches to the environment theme for the festival. RSHC has decided on the theme of 'Earth: Urgent Histories'. Shin proposed to organise an event at the Science Museum London.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description History of energy use in Britain (by Taylor V, MOSI, Mar 2016) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact 03-2016 Hiroki Shin and Vanessa Taylor gave a talk about energy use in Britain to students from Saijo High School at the Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester. Taylor subsequently gave a talk on the River Thames to a group of Saijo High School pupils at the University of Greenwich, 03-2017.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Konsum: Vergangenheit, Gegenwart, Zukunft 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact A private business club meeting. The audience including the head of Miele (electrical appliances). The aim of the activity was to raise awareness about the importance of habits and practices for energy consumption, and demonstrating the use of history for business.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Material Cultures of Energy at European University Institute, 3 Dec 2020 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Trentmann gave a talk at the European University Institute on the project's findings.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Material Cultures of Energy: New Perspectives on Energy Transitions in Everyday Life 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact The talk was given at an academic workshop, COPPEAD-UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, 5 September 2017. The workshop was attended by 30 scholars from sciences, business and marketing.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Meeting at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) , Delhi 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit to TERI Institute researchers and information unit. Knowledge exchange with with Mr. Debajit Palit, Associate Director of Social Transformation division to discuss localized approaches to the integration of new cooking technologies and practices and access issues in rural areas. Information exchange with TERI librarians and analysts (Dr. P.K Bhattacharaya, N Deepa and Ratan Jha) relating to key sources pertaining to energy transitions in India, including historical and statistical documents and field case studies. The visit was intended for understanding grassroots issues in rural energy development and social and political challenges for future cooking transitions. Identification of additional experts in historical and current promotion of cooking technologies in rural India.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Meeting at the Energy Discovery Center, Tallinn, Estonia, 26 August 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Shin (PI) had a meeting with executive members of the Energy Discovery Centre, Tallinn, Estonia. With the centre's director Ms Krista Keedus and Mr Aare Baumer (Research and Development Manager), Shin discussed potential collaboration and information exchange with the C-MCE project. The centre agreed to take part in future collaborative activities.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://www.energiakeskus.ee/en/personnel/
 
Description Meeting at the Energy Futures Lab, Imperial College, 24 Sep 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Shin (PI) had a meeting with Mr Neasan O'Neill of the Energy Futures Lab at the Imperial College London, regarding potential collaboration with the C-MCE project. The Energy Futures Lab has agreed to take part in future collaborative activities.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://www.imperial.ac.uk/energy-futures-lab/
 
Description Meeting at the National Gas Archive March 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Shin (PI) visited the National Gas Archive in Warrington and had a meeting with Jan Hicks (Science and Industry Museum, Manchester), Kerry Moores (National Gas Archive) and two other members of the archive regarding future collaboration. The archive has agreed to take part in relevant future project as a partner.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Meeting at the Science Museum Japan 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Shin (PI) had a meeting at the Science Museum Japan. With Dr Masahiro Maejima, Dr Osamu Kamei and Dr Nobumichi Ariga, Shin discussed future collaboration between the project and the Japanese museum. The Science Museum Japan has agreed to take part in future collaborative activities.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Meeting at the University of the Arts London, 9 Oct 2020 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Shin (PI) had a meeting with course conveners of Narrative Environments at the University of the Arts London. With Alex Rose (Science Museum), Ms Patricia Austin (UAL) and other UAL staff members, we discussed potential collaboration on the topic of 'future of energy exhibition'. UAL has provisionally agreed to take part in future project originating from the C-MCE project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://www.arts.ac.uk/subjects/architecture-spatial-and-interior-design/postgraduate/ma-narrative-e...
 
Description Meeting re. further collaboration with NMS, Ingenium, MSI 24 July 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Shin (PI) and Chappells (project member) had a meeting with Jan Hicks (Science and Industry Museum, Manchester), Anna Adamek (Ingenium: Canada's Museum of Science & Innovation) and Ellie Swinbank (National Museum of Scotland) regarding further collaboration opportunities. It was agreed that all the institutions will become partners for research project proposal as an extension of working relationship in the current project. Ingenium offered to host a future planning meeting.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Meeting with Colin Baines, Investment Engagement Manager at Friends Provident Foundation 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Trentmann had a meeting with Colin Baines, Investment Engagement Manager at Friends Provident Foundation, to discuss the Foundation's campaigning and direct investment strategies to bring about a low carbon transition and a sustainable economy. Discuss potential role for MCE in the Foundation's events for late 2017.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Meeting with Martin Meiske of the Deutsches Museum, 21 August 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Shin (PI) had a meeting with Dr Martin Meiske of the Deutsches Museum concerning potential collaboration between the Deutsches Museum and the C-MCE project. The museum has agreed to take part in future collaborative activities or new project as a partner.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Meeting with Prof. Kirk R. Smith Professor of Global Environmental Heath University of California Berkeley Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Jan 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Knowledge exchange with leading international expert on air pollution, health and cookstoves. Exchange of ideas about value of historical perspectives and future policy directions for household energy transitions in India. The meeting produced some insights into current political directions in energy transitions.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Meeting with Superflux, 9 July 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Shin (PI) had a meeting with a design firm, Superflux on future collaboration with the project. The principal members of the firm expressed willingness to collaborate with the C-MCE project, or similar project in the future.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://superflux.in/#
 
Description Meetings with Guenter Bachmann 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Trentmann had two meetings - on 28 Nov 2018 and 21 Feb 2019 - with Mr Gunter Bachmann, the head of the German Council for Sustainability (Rat fuer Nachhaltige Entwicklung), and discussed the insights from the MCE project and potential future collaboration.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018,2019
 
Description Nuclear Memories - An International Comparison: Roundtable 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Shin acted as the chair for 'Nuclear Memories - An International Comparison: Roundtable' in the Troubling Anniversaries conference held jointly by the Institute of Historical Research and Queen's University Belfast in October 2021.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.history.ac.uk/sites/default/files/file-uploads/2021-05/Troubling%20Anniversaries-%20prog...
 
Description Picturing Energy: Approaches to Energy Films, BFI 5-6 Oct 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Shin organised an interdisciplinary workshop with the British Film Institute. The workshop brought together energy researchers, historians, geographers, media and film scholars, museum curators and archivists. The event combined presentations and film viewing sessions in order to explore diverse methodologies and approaches to energy related films. The workshop's co-organisers were Hiroki Shin (MCE), Patrick Russell (BFI) and Tim Boon (Science Museum). Participants were Frank Trentmann (MCE), Vanessa Taylor (MCE), Rebecca Wright (MCE), Jan Hicks (Manchester Museum of Science and Industry), Brian Jacobson (University of Toronto), David Matless (University of Nottingham), Karen Sayer (Leeds Trinity), Hans-Georg Thomas (RWE), Graham Roberts (Leeds Trinity), Florian Hoof (Goethe University, Frankfurt), Scott Anthony (University of Cambridge), Jonathan Hogg (University of Liverpool), Esther Leslie (Birkbeck), Joel McKim (Birkbeck), Paul Coleman (University of Leeds). Further outputs from the workshop is currently under discussion with the BFI and workshop participants.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Presentation, 'The Social Life of Energy Futures: Experts, Users and Standards in the Golden Age of Modernization, c. 1900-1973', Secretaries Strategy Day, World Energy Council 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Presented key research findings at the World Energy Council Secretaries Strategy Day, Lisbon 2017 to an audience of approx. 150 international world energy leaders drawn from the policy-sector industry, and business. Our talk sparked questions and reflections, that were reflected in later discussions about strategy during the event.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Project Conference 'Energy and Public Communication' 24-25 July 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The project conference 'Energy and Public Communication' was held at the Science and Industry Museum, Manchester on 24-25 July 2019. The conference was organised by Hiroki Shin (project PI) and Heather Chappells (University of British Columbia, a project member) in collaboration with the Science and Industry Museum. The conference opened with a keynote lecture by Dr Brian Cozen (California State University, Fresno), who is a leading scholar in energy communication studies. The first session of the conference was entitled 'Public museums as sites of energy communication'. Jan Hicks (Science and Industry Museum) and Jonathan Morgan (Electricity North West) provided insights from a collaborative project between a museum and a network operator to create an artistic installation, using real energy supply data, for Electricity: The Spark of Life exhibition. Ellie Swinbank (National Museum of Scotland) reported on the NMS's recent exhibition 'Age of Oil'. Anna Adamek (Ingenium: Canada's Museum of Science and Innovation) discussed museums' roles and capability of communicating energy-related issues. The first session was followed by the second keynote lecture by Mark Atherton (Environment for Greater Manchester), in which the Great Manchester Combined Authority's communication work was explained as it related to the city's zero-carbon policy. The first day of the conference was concluded with a film viewing and talk session by Vicki Lesley (Tenner Film) who directed a film 'The Atom: A Love Affair'.

The second day of the conference had two presentation sessions, a demonstration session and a round table discussion. In the session 'Engaging the public in energy communication: diverse spheres of interaction', Bradon Smith (University of Bristol) reported on his recent engagement project, followed by a presentation by Wim Elving (Hanze University, the Netherlands) on the gamefication approach to energy communication, and a presentation by Matthew Howard on communicating innovation at research institutions. The following session 'Communication media and technology as facilitators of energy transition' focused on diverse sites and technologies of energy communication. Vanessa de Luca (SUPSI, Switzerland) explained several digital initiatives to engage the public in energy-related behaviour intervention. Craig Morris provided German examples of energy-related mass media communication. Marianne Heaslip (URBED) talked about participatory methods of sustainable building design. Bridget Newbery (Centre for Sustainable Energy) reported on the CSE's recent collaborative project that made available power supply data for community energy projects.

In the afternoon of the second day, the conference organised demonstration sessions in which conference participants had first-hand experience of some energy communication trials. Energy Co-op's The Great Energy Escape was an immersive activity that simulated energy emergency to provide a better understanding of difficult choice that involve in balancing energy supply in a city. We-Energy Game (Hanze University, the Netherlands) was a board game to think about energy situation in a local setting. 10:10 Climate Action demonstrated a new card game 'Zero Carbon City Challenge', in which participants compete to achieve zero carbon emission by selectively adopting energy technologies. George Lynall (University of Liverpool) and Philippa Holloway (author) organised a creative writing session 'Power Lines: Creative Responses to Energy Spaces' that was designed to enhance participants' awareness of energy spaces. Vanessa de Luca (SUPSI) demonstrated the digital contents created by the Social Power project. EDF France exhibited public communication materials (digital and paper media), while Chloe Uden (Art and Energy) displayed a solar panel artwork.

The conference's concluding session was a round table discussion about the interdisciplinary and cross-sector approach to energy communication, which was the main theme of the conference. The speakers were Dnielle Endres (University of Utah), Jonathan Atkinson (Carbon Co-op), Jessica Bays (UK Energy Research Centre), Craig Morris (Renewable Energy Agency, Germany) and Jonny Sadler (Manchester Climate Change Agency). A number of shared interests across sectors have been identified, such as the importance of narratives and community-building.

Participants' feedback was exceptionally positive. To take some examples: "It was really refreshing that it was so positive and solutions based (and not a moaning shop about government policies)." "It is too rare to have such a variety of experts together." "Enormously useful to take time out of own sector where people tend to work and think in a similar way." In the conference report, Dr Endres wrote: "Personally speaking, this was the best conference I attended this year. The mix of academics and practitioners working across sectors and disciplines to address the coming energy transition was inspiring. I came away from the conference with a renewed sense of hope that the ingenuity, collaboration, and passion needed to address the climate crisis through changes in our energy systems already exists. Building on these projects and collaborations can make a difference in transforming our material cultures of energy."

After the conference, the project PI had a number of discussions about further collaboration with diverse sectors and institutions.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mce/activities/energy-and-public-communication-conference/
 
Description Project website 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact New project pages have been added to the existing project website for the Material Cultures of Energy.

The website will be extended continuously as the project proceeds.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mce/research/energy-communication/
 
Description Putting Energy Back into Consumer Studies 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact The talk was given at an academic workshop; 25 present from social science disciplines.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Putting Use and Users Back In: The Evolution of Energy Demand in the Twentieth Century 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact The presentation was given to the Energy@Cambridge Strategic Research Initiative, University of Cambridge, 28 February 2017. The Energy@Cambridge Strategic Research Initiative is an academic network of scholars from engineering and economics to psychology and sociology.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Putting Use and Users Back In: The Evolution of Energy Demand in the Twentieth Century 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact The talk took place at the Lawrence Berkeley Lab, Berkeley, California, 13 March 2017. The Lawrence Berkeley Lab is a US government-funded energy laboratory. The aim of the talk was to feed historical research on energy consumption into debates concerned with sustainability and energy saving present and future.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Rebecca Wright and Colin Pooley, "Past, Present and Future", (Everyday Futures), ACM Interactions (expected publication 2017-04) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Co-authored an article for a special collection of ACM Interactions on "Everyday Futures". ACM Interactions is directed towards practitioners in the design field interested in the relationship between people, experiences and technology. The article thus reaches out to a new audience of designers and those interested in the practical application of technology.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://interactions.acm.org/
 
Description Report - Science Museum Research and Public History Annual Report for 2016 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact The project has contributed to the annual report of the Science Museum's research and public history for 2016. Our contribution highlighted the activities we have conducted with the Science Museum, especially the workshop we jointly organised with the museum in September 2016 (see the separate entry for the workshop). Also, it reported the public engagement activity organised for Saijo High School in March 2016. The annual report has up to 1,000 readership.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/about-us/collections-and-research/activities-and-projects/research-p...
 
Description Rural Entrepreneurship Development Centre (REDC), Phaltan, Jan 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Field visit, discussion, demonstration different material stove technologies/ fuels and access to training materials. The visit led to the identification of practical and material challenges in achieving transition to improved stoves.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Samuchit Enviro-Tech, Pune, Jan 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Discussions with Samuchit Director and former ARTI president, Dr. Priyadarshini Karve, about role in development social reform programmes for households. Review of recent innovations in stove technologies, training materials on clean cooking. The discussion provided an opportunity for knowledge exchange and discussion of potential future involvement in workshop to foster cooperation between physical and social scientists in evaluating options for cleaner and socially acceptable cookstoves.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Science Museum Group Annual Report 2019-2020 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Shin (PI) contributed to the annual report of the Science Museum Group for the year 2019-2020. The entry described the activities of the Communicating Material Cultures of Energy project, including references to knowledge exchange sessions and the project conference.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Second Knowledge Exchange Session 'Visual Communication' 29 Mar 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The second knowledge exchange session discussed visual communication of energy topics. Ellie Swinbank (National Museum of Scotland) introduced the National Museum of Scotland's use of an original video programme in a recent exhibition. Enrico Costanza (UCL) discussed his project on connecting visual energy consumption data with the rhythm of daily routine. Julie Goodhew (University of Plymouth) presented her work in eViz project, a project to produce and utilise personalised thermal imaging related to household heating practice. Jonathan Morgan (Electricity North West) gave a talk on the corporate communication practice in a power network operator and how visual components of external communication improve the relation between the company and its customers. Greg Lynall provided insights from a public engagement event he organised at the Tate Liverpool, which employed artworks and creative writing to engage the general public in thinking about the past and future of renewable energy technology. Other participants were:
? Ben Russell (Science Museum)
? Jonathan Atkinson (Carbon Co-op)
? Poppy Walter (BEIS)
? Heather Chappells (University of British Columbia)
? Sarah Darby (University of Oxford)
? Bob Fenton (EDF Energy)
? Liz Haines (University of Bristol, 'Energy in Store' project)
? Jon Hall (Community Energy England)
? Jan Hicks (Science and Industry Museum, Manchester)
? Jonny Morgan (Electricity North West)
? Toby Park (Behavioural Insights Team)
? Helen Peavitt (Science Museum)
? Patrick Russell (British Film Institute)
? William Swan (University of Salford)
? Vanessa Taylor (University of Greenwich)
? Rebecca Wright (University of Northumbria)
? Moira Nicolson (Ofgem).

The session was intended to exchange views on the effectiveness of energy-related public communication through visual means by sharing experiences and insights. There was intense discussion following presentations and conversation was revolved around the use of creative methods for energy communication. After the session, the project PI was invited to a workshop at the University of Plymouth on energy data visualisation.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mce/activities/second-knowledge-exchange-session-29-march-2019/
 
Description Shin meeting with Ken Yasuda, Shikoku METI, Japan, Oct 2016 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Shin had a meeting with Ken Yasuda, energy policy officer of Japanese Ministry of Economy, Industry and Technology. The meeting was to exchange knowledge about energy policy and practice in the UK and Japan. The plans for some engagement events were also discussed.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Study event for Saijo High School, Japan at Science Museum London, 11 Dec 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Shin (PI) organised a study event for Saijo High School, Japan, at the Science Museum London. The event's main theme was societal responses to natural disasters. Shin gave a lecture on climate change adaptation strategy in the UK and its relation with energy use. The participants (twenty students, 16-17 years old) appreciated the comparative perspective provided by the event, as they have been conducting research on disaster responses in Japan and had no prior knowledge about the situation in the UK. Some students remarked that they learned to see the topic from a global perspective.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://saijo-h.esnet.ed.jp/blogs/blog_entries/tag/page:3/id:58?frame_id=8
 
Description The Power of Things: A New History of Consumer Society 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact The presentation was given at Yale University, Annual Lecture of the Center for Historical Enquiry & the Social Sciences, 7 March 2017. The lecture was attended mostly by academics.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Third Knowledge Exchange Session 'Public Participation as Communication' 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The third knowledge exchange session discussed public participation as a means to communicate energy-related knowledge and information. Anna Woodham (King's College London) presented insights from her recent research project 'Energy in Store'. Helen Pallet (University of East Anglia) discussed public engagement in the energy sector, based on her recent report for UK Energy Research Center. Jonathan Atkinson (Carbon Co-op) reported on participatory activities organised by Carbon Co-op such as the organisation's meetings to consider energy futures with the organisation's members. Jon Hall's (Community Energy England) talk delineated the work of Community Energy England to assist the work of local energy groups to enhance their ability to engage with local communities. Bradon Smith (University of Bristol) gave a talk based on a series of public engagement activities he had been involved, including a project to get young students involved in the public discussion on energy by incorporating them in a project as active researchers. Other participants were:
? Ben Russell (Science Museum London)
- Catherine Butler (University of Exeter)
? Sarah Darby (University of Oxford)
? Bob Fenton (EDF Energy)
? Paul Coleman (Science and Media Museum)
? William Swan (University of Salford)
? Moira Nicolson (Ofgem)
? Patrick Russell (British Film Institute)
? Poppy Walter (BEIS)

The meeting's aim was to learn from recent public engagement trials and consider new opportunities for public engagement. Cross-sector learning was achieved. For instance, a delegate from EDF Energy expressed interest in having more information about the approach employed in the 'Energy in Store' project, as the project's focus on 'external expert enthusiasts' may present EDF Energy a new target audience for its public engagement strategy. The participants also gained a better understanding of the work conducted by local energy groups and campaign bodies, which were at the forefront of public engagement. Overall, the participants reported that the session opened their eyes for innovative methods for public engagement.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mce/activities/third-knowledge-exchange-session-public-participation-as-communi...
 
Description Transitions in Energy Landscapes and Everyday Life conference, Rachel Carson Center 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact In April 2017, Taylor and Chappells co-organized the 'Transitions in Energy Landscapes and Everyday Life' conference in collaboration the Rachel Carson Center and the Deutsches Museum, Munich, Germany. The workshop explored modernizing energy narratives in light of historical cases of energy transition and the variable roles of consumers as agents of change in energy landscapes. Participants included: Christof Mauch (Rachel Carson Center), Helmuth Trischler (Deutsches Museum), Frank Trentmann (Birkbeck), Nina Mollers (Deutsches Museum), Ruth Sandwell (University of Toronto), Emily Roehl (University of Texas), Dieter Bruggeman (Ghent University), Kayt Button (University of Cambridge), Abby Spinak (Harvard University), Sean Adams (University of Florida), Brian Black (Penn State University), Jennifer Baka (Penn State University), Ute Hasenohrl (University of Innsbruck), Sarah Strauss (University of Wyoming), Carrick Eggleston (University of Wyoming), Daniel Barber (University of Pennsylvania), Jennifer Carlson (Rice University), Odinn Melstead (University of Innsbruck), Karen Pinkus (Cornell University).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://seeingthewoods.org/2017/05/29/transitions-in-energy-landscapes-and-everyday-life-in-the-nine...
 
Description Trentmann and Wright, 'Energy Futures: Through the Looking Glass of "Experts"' 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact The blog essay was featured as part of the blog-series 'Experts: Past, Present and Future'.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://expertspastpresentfuture.net/
 
Description Trentmann meeting with David Nye, energy history expert 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Trentmann exchanged knowledge with an energy history expert in Norway. The meeting resulted in request to offer advice on publishers on energy topics.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Trentmann meeting with Nicola Labanca, European Commission, Energy Efficiency expert 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Trentmann exchanged knowledge with energy efficiency expert.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Trentmann, Shin, meeting with Ken Yasuda, Shikoku METI, Oct 2016 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Trentmann and Shin had a meeting with Ken Yasuda, an energy policy officer of the Shikoku branch of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Industry and Science, to discuss energy policy in Japan and the UK. The details of public engagement in Saijo city, Shikoku, Japan was discussed.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Visit to Ministry of New and Renewable Energy , Delhi 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Knowledge exchange with Government Adviser/ Scientist, Dr. B.S. Negi and discussion of current policy perspectives on future household energy options, and how these differ from previous concerns and initiatives. This visit gave us an opportunity to engage with policy-makers involved in setting the agenda for future renewable energy development in India.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Workshop 'Material Practices of Energy Consumption' - Sep 2016 at the Science Museum 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The MCE project co-organised a workshop with the Science Museum at the Dana Centre, Science Museum, London. The chief aim of the event was to bring together museum curators and energy scholars to consider the effective ways to communicate the topic of energy in public museums. The participants of the meeting were:
Robert Bud, Stuart Butler, Helen Peavitt (Science Museum), Alice Cliff (Manchester Museum of Science and Industry), Lynda Nead (Birkbeck), Sabine Oetzel (Director, Museum Strom und Leben), Elizabeth Shove (Lancaster), Harold Wilhite (University of Oslo), Don Slater (LSE) and Jo Entwistle (King's College), Paul Coleman (University of Leeds), Catherine Grandclément (EDF), Ruth Garde (Wellcome Collection), along with three members from the MCE project (Trentmann, Shin, Wright). Also, two observers from the Science Museum were present. The workshop consisted of presentations and lively discussions, and the event established a mutual understanding between the museum curators and energy-scholars. The success of the workshop can be understood from the fact that the Science Museum has agreed to publish a special issue of its journal based on the workshop papers, and Trentmann has been nominated as a guest editor of the special issue. Therefore the potential impact of the workshop will be far-reaching.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mce/activities/material-practices-energy-consumption/