Energy justice and the transition to low carbon energy in Malawi

This research aims to expand energy justice theory by examining energy infrastructures and its users' experiences in settings of pre- and ongoing electrification. In order to do this, the research will take an interdisciplinary approach, contextualising the everyday experiences of individuals who live with low access to energy. The research will employ Focus group discussions (FGDs) with low-income households in Malawi and a novel participatory mapping exercise to foster discussions around existing infrastructures and future developments. To capture case-specification- participatory filmmaking and photography will be carried out with FGD participants. Perspectives from the public, private, and third sector will be gathered through expert interviews to identify, describe, and explain the energy challenges for Malawi. The transcripts from FGDs and interviews will be uploaded onto NVivo 12 Pro where systematic coding procedures will enable theory construction and the identification of the thematic categories underpinning the experiences, opportunities, and barriers to energy access. The participatory mapping exercise will be digitalised using GIS to highlight spatial information. The findings will inform energy justice theory construction and formulation of policy recommendations which will be shared during policy roundtables with stakeholders.