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Energy Demand Research Champion

Lead Research Organisation: University of Sussex
Department Name: University of Sussex Business School

Abstract

The UK is facing an energy crisis on three fronts: climate change, energy security, and affordability. The energy price crisis in particular, further exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, has made both energy security and affordability front page news. UK public policy and debates on how to solve this crisis have largely focused on fixing energy supply, e.g. by finding alternatives to oil and gas imports, speeding new nuclear build, addressing onshore wind planning legislation, and promoting a switch to heat pumps and electric vehicles. Much less attention has been given to how we can reduce energy demand to help this effort.

Yet, energy demand reduction is fundamental in solving the energy crisis, and needed for improving energy security, reducing household energy bills and addressing climate change. The UK has set a target to become a Net Zero society by 2050, and research conducted by the Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solutions (CREDS) shows that reducing energy use could help meet half of the required emissions reductions needed by 2050.

The energy challenge requires a fundamental change in our society, to enable a deep energy demand reduction and wide use of low-carbon technologies, supported by policy, businesses and the public alike. While this poses a challenge, it also provides an opportunity for the UK to become a global leader in energy demand reduction, and associated research.

As Energy Demand Research Co-Champions we will develop the next phase of energy demand research in the UK via an open and wide-reaching consultation process with research, policy, industry, business, NGOs and community organisations. We will build on previous research findings to identify what more can be learnt from those, and which new research questions should be answered. We will work together with a range of people and organisations to develop a Centre of excellent and meaningful research that has real-life impact. Our aim is to co-lead a Centre that is collaborative, innovative, diverse and creative, championing energy demand research in the UK and beyond.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description The Energy Demand Research Co-Champions Prof Mari Martiskainen and Prof Sara Walker undertook an extensive stakeholder engagement and co-investigator selection process to develop the proposal for the Energy Demand Research Centre (EDRC). This process resulted in the main outcomes of EDRC research themes (Futures, Flexibility, Governance, Place and Equity) and work programme across the 12 participating universities. The centre proposal was succesfully funded in July 2023. The key outcomes were also of the Co-Champions meeting and engaging with key stakeholders to promote the new centre's plans and proposed work.
Exploitation Route As a result of this award and its outcomes, the Energy Demand Research Centre (EDRC) was funded by UKRI in July 2023.
Sectors Agriculture

Food and Drink

Communities and Social Services/Policy

Construction

Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software)

Energy

Environment

Government

Democracy and Justice

Manufacturing

including Industrial Biotechology

Retail

Transport

 
Description The outcomes from the award have resulted in the Energy Demand Research Centre (EDRC) being succesfully funded, ensuring a smooth transition from the Champion stage to the centre-funding stage. This has meant that EDRC has had the benefit from the Co-champions engagement stage in promoting energy demand research, building networks and taking previous work forward developed in other research centres such as CREDS.
First Year Of Impact 2023
Sector Energy,Transport
Impact Types Policy & public services

 
Description Input to and peer review of IEA Energy Efficiency 2024 report
Geographic Reach Multiple continents/international 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://www.iea.org/reports/energy-efficiency-2024
 
Description Invited participant at ministerial roundtable on enabling green choices and behaviours, London, 14.01.2025
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health
 
Description Energy Demand Research Centre (EDRC)
Amount £15,507,720 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/Y010078/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 06/2023 
End 06/2028
 
Description Proposal development for Energy Demand Research Centre (invited proposal by UKRI) 
Organisation Newcastle University
Country United Kingdom 
PI Contribution This is a collaboration with Co-investigator and Co-champion Professor Sara Walker. We developed an invited energy demand research centre proposal to UKRI as per the selected Energy Demand Research Champions. Our contribution was to undertake stakeholder engagement process, develop research proposal strategy, select co-investigators, and write the proposal.
Collaborator Contribution Stakeholder engagement via meetings, events and deliberative workshops. Co-investigator call development and selection. Proposal writing.
Impact Research proposal submitted to UKRI.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Proposal for Energy Demand Research Centre (invited proposal by UKRI) 
Organisation Cardiff University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This is a collaboration to develop an invited energy demand research centre proposal to UKRI as per the Energy Demand Research Champion project. Our contribution was to undertake stakeholder engagement process, develop research proposal strategy, select co-investigators, and write the proposal. These particular partners helped to develop and write the final research proposal.
Collaborator Contribution Stakeholder engagement via meetings, events and deliberative workshops. Co-investigator call development and selection. Proposal writing.
Impact Research proposal submitted to UKRI. An invited call under the Energy Demand Research Champion role.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Proposal for Energy Demand Research Centre (invited proposal by UKRI) 
Organisation Imperial College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This is a collaboration to develop an invited energy demand research centre proposal to UKRI as per the Energy Demand Research Champion project. Our contribution was to undertake stakeholder engagement process, develop research proposal strategy, select co-investigators, and write the proposal. These particular partners helped to develop and write the final research proposal.
Collaborator Contribution Stakeholder engagement via meetings, events and deliberative workshops. Co-investigator call development and selection. Proposal writing.
Impact Research proposal submitted to UKRI. An invited call under the Energy Demand Research Champion role.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Proposal for Energy Demand Research Centre (invited proposal by UKRI) 
Organisation Lancaster University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This is a collaboration to develop an invited energy demand research centre proposal to UKRI as per the Energy Demand Research Champion project. Our contribution was to undertake stakeholder engagement process, develop research proposal strategy, select co-investigators, and write the proposal. These particular partners helped to develop and write the final research proposal.
Collaborator Contribution Stakeholder engagement via meetings, events and deliberative workshops. Co-investigator call development and selection. Proposal writing.
Impact Research proposal submitted to UKRI. An invited call under the Energy Demand Research Champion role.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Proposal for Energy Demand Research Centre (invited proposal by UKRI) 
Organisation University College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This is a collaboration to develop an invited energy demand research centre proposal to UKRI as per the Energy Demand Research Champion project. Our contribution was to undertake stakeholder engagement process, develop research proposal strategy, select co-investigators, and write the proposal. These particular partners helped to develop and write the final research proposal.
Collaborator Contribution Stakeholder engagement via meetings, events and deliberative workshops. Co-investigator call development and selection. Proposal writing.
Impact Research proposal submitted to UKRI. An invited call under the Energy Demand Research Champion role.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Proposal for Energy Demand Research Centre (invited proposal by UKRI) 
Organisation University of Edinburgh
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This is a collaboration to develop an invited energy demand research centre proposal to UKRI as per the Energy Demand Research Champion project. Our contribution was to undertake stakeholder engagement process, develop research proposal strategy, select co-investigators, and write the proposal. These particular partners helped to develop and write the final research proposal.
Collaborator Contribution Stakeholder engagement via meetings, events and deliberative workshops. Co-investigator call development and selection. Proposal writing.
Impact Research proposal submitted to UKRI. An invited call under the Energy Demand Research Champion role.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Proposal for Energy Demand Research Centre (invited proposal by UKRI) 
Organisation University of Leeds
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This is a collaboration to develop an invited energy demand research centre proposal to UKRI as per the Energy Demand Research Champion project. Our contribution was to undertake stakeholder engagement process, develop research proposal strategy, select co-investigators, and write the proposal. These particular partners helped to develop and write the final research proposal.
Collaborator Contribution Stakeholder engagement via meetings, events and deliberative workshops. Co-investigator call development and selection. Proposal writing.
Impact Research proposal submitted to UKRI. An invited call under the Energy Demand Research Champion role.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Proposal for Energy Demand Research Centre (invited proposal by UKRI) 
Organisation University of Manchester
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This is a collaboration to develop an invited energy demand research centre proposal to UKRI as per the Energy Demand Research Champion project. Our contribution was to undertake stakeholder engagement process, develop research proposal strategy, select co-investigators, and write the proposal. These particular partners helped to develop and write the final research proposal.
Collaborator Contribution Stakeholder engagement via meetings, events and deliberative workshops. Co-investigator call development and selection. Proposal writing.
Impact Research proposal submitted to UKRI. An invited call under the Energy Demand Research Champion role.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Proposal for Energy Demand Research Centre (invited proposal by UKRI) 
Organisation University of Reading
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This is a collaboration to develop an invited energy demand research centre proposal to UKRI as per the Energy Demand Research Champion project. Our contribution was to undertake stakeholder engagement process, develop research proposal strategy, select co-investigators, and write the proposal. These particular partners helped to develop and write the final research proposal.
Collaborator Contribution Stakeholder engagement via meetings, events and deliberative workshops. Co-investigator call development and selection. Proposal writing.
Impact Research proposal submitted to UKRI. An invited call under the Energy Demand Research Champion role.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Proposal for Energy Demand Research Centre (invited proposal by UKRI) 
Organisation University of Strathclyde
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This is a collaboration to develop an invited energy demand research centre proposal to UKRI as per the Energy Demand Research Champion project. Our contribution was to undertake stakeholder engagement process, develop research proposal strategy, select co-investigators, and write the proposal. These particular partners helped to develop and write the final research proposal.
Collaborator Contribution Stakeholder engagement via meetings, events and deliberative workshops. Co-investigator call development and selection. Proposal writing.
Impact Research proposal submitted to UKRI. An invited call under the Energy Demand Research Champion role.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Proposal for Energy Demand Research Centre (invited proposal by UKRI) 
Organisation University of Surrey
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This is a collaboration to develop an invited energy demand research centre proposal to UKRI as per the Energy Demand Research Champion project. Our contribution was to undertake stakeholder engagement process, develop research proposal strategy, select co-investigators, and write the proposal. These particular partners helped to develop and write the final research proposal.
Collaborator Contribution Stakeholder engagement via meetings, events and deliberative workshops. Co-investigator call development and selection. Proposal writing.
Impact Research proposal submitted to UKRI. An invited call under the Energy Demand Research Champion role.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Attendance of UKERC 20th anniversary reception, House of Lords 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact 50 people attended a reception at House of Lords to mark UKERC's 20th anniversary. The event also invited EDRC's co-directors Mari Martiskainen and Sara Walker to have an opportunity to network and promote the newly established centre.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Attendance of UKRI Building a Green Future congress, 07.10.2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact This was a UKRI Building a Green Future congress which included mainly PIs of UKRI grants. Mari Martiskainen attended as Director of EDRC and had networking for example with officials at the Department for Transport, leading to requests for further information.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description British Academy Round Table discussion - How can our public participation strategy for net zero ensure no one is left behind? 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact In 2019, an independent review strongly proposed that a public participation strategy for the UK's transition to net zero was essential to the successful adoption of low-carbon measures by UK communities and to the fulfilment of the government's UK policy for net zero. However, no such public participation or public engagement strategy exists as yet. This roundtable, under Chatham House rules, asked how we can bring household and community policy together with NZ policy, technology, innovation and investment.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description CREDS seminar on final project findings, Edinburgh, 30/3/23 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Workshop by CREDS, aimed at academics and policy makers
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Committee meeting, Energy and Decarbonisation Strategic Advisory Committee 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Supporters
Results and Impact Committee meeting, Energy and Decarbonisation Strategic Advisory Committee, for the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Continuing Professional Development delivered to Square One Law, 1/6/23 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact CPD lunchtime talk on renewable energy and energy transition to law firm
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Deliberative stakeholder workshops 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Three deliberative workshops with 80 participants to develop research ideas for Centre proposal. These workshops were a key component in developing research themes for the centre proposal. The themes were developed via a deliberative process, and further refined in co-investigator selection and proposal writing stage.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Department for Energy Security & Net Zero 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero has shown interested in the future Energy Demand Research Centre by engaging with the centre's researchers with the DESNZ Fuel Poverty analysis team. They will contribute to events and in project development specifically within the Equity theme of the centre.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
 
Description ECR Net Zero Conference 2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact This two-day conference, hosted by C-DICE, GGR-D (CO2RE), EDI+, EDRC, ERA, Hi-ACT, IDRIC, Ignite Network+, Supergen Bioenergy Hub, Sustain, UKCCSRC, UKERC and UK HY-RES brought together early career researchers (ECRs) from across the net zero community. It will include a mix of keynote speakers, parallel sessions (skills based and topic based) and a networking dinner.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://www.edrc.ac.uk/events/ecr-net-zero-conference-2024/
 
Description EDRC team presentation to Energy Systems Catapult 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact EDRC team visited and presented the work programme to Energy Systems Catapult team in Birmingham. 21.08.2023. EDRC team included:

Dr Donal Brown, Sussex (Place theme, focus on retrofit delivery, business models)
Prof Tim Foxon, Sussex (Governance theme, wellbeing indicators)
Prof Mari Martiskainen, Sussex (Director, fuel / transport poverty, energy vulnerability)
Dr Janine Morley, Lancaster (Governance theme, heating and comfort)
Dr Kate Pangbourne, Leeds (Governance theme, place based solutions, esp. on transport)
Dr Jose Remirez-Mendiola, Reading (Flexibility theme, demand side flexibility)
Prof Peter Taylor, Leeds (Flexibility theme, demand solutions in industry)
Dr Faye Wade, Edinburgh (Place theme, skills and supply chain issues)
Prof Sara Walker, Newcastle (TBC) (Co-Director, flexibility).

This meeting has led to further meetings and discussions, especially relating to the EDRC's planned Equity Living Lab.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description ERIMap working group 
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 Energy Research Investment Map Working Group - a consortium of large energy investments from across the EPSRC portfolio, working together, to map the research.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
 
Description Engagement with BRE Group 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact EDCR Director and Co-Director team met with the BRE Group team in 2023 and presented EDRC outline programme. This led to a Letter of Support for EDRC from BRE and requests of further information. EDRC presented to BRE's Research & Innovation Lunch & Learn seminar in February 2024, with discussions about further engagement going forward.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023,2024
 
Description Engagement with Built Environment Smarter Transformation (BE-ST) 
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 Built Environment Smarter Transformation (BE-ST) has shown interest in collaborating with the Energy Demand Research Centre by supporting to capture qualitative data, support the design and delivery of workshops, innovative communication materials and support the networking and dissemination of knowledge and materials within their 80,000 strong network of built environment professionals.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
 
Description Engagement with Hilson Moran 
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 Engagement with Hilson Moran who have provided support for the Energy Demand Research Centre proposal in the form of interest in acting as advisory board member, promoting the centre, providing access to data and equipment, providing secondments, and engaging at events.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
 
Description Engagement with NESCAN 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact After engaging with Energy Demand Research Centre proposal team, NESCAN has strong interest and support for the Centre proposal. They are especially interested int he themes of Equity, Governance, and Place, and in knowledge sharing in energy reduction at community level. NESCAN has agreed to promote the research, provide access to information and data, and take part in future engagement activities.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
 
Description Engagement with National Energy Action 
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 National Energy Action has a keen interest in the future Energy Demand Research Centre and will support the centre as a project partner through participation in relevant discussions and events, and using the findings from the research to inform their own work.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
 
Description Engagement with Nesta 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Nesta is particularly interested in the Energy Demand Research Centre and its research in into flexibility, which is also one of Nesta's areas of focus. Nesta would be happy to offer support to the project by providing a one year, part-time secondment at Nesta to a researcher in the Flexibility theme.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
 
Description Engagement with Toshiba 
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 Engagement with Toshiba as part of the Energy Demand Research Centre proposal. Toshia has agreed to be a project partner and provide further in-kind support in the form of access to trials, industrial placements, and expert participation in centre activities such as advisory roles.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
 
Description Engagement with the Climate Change Committee 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact The Climate Change Committee has shown interest in the Energy Demand Research Centre's future work on low energy demand futures as well as place-based approaches to for example decarbonising transport. They have offered support in the form of meeting with the centre's researchers, collaborating in modelling, using data from the centre's modelling output, participating in an advisory capacity and considering future secondments.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
 
Description Follow up meeting with CSA Richard Prager September 2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Update to Richard Prager and other staff on progress made in EDRC
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Green New Deal Fund Board Meeting, 5/6/23 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact External Advisor to Board, on investment decisions
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Impossible Until It's Done: A Celebration of Sussex Research - invited Keynote talk 12 June 2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Supporters
Results and Impact Impossible Until It's Done: A Celebration of Sussex Research was Sussex's flagship event of 2024, showcasing research to the university's donors and friends. Mari Martiskainen was one of four invited keynote speakers. Her talk focused on creating a sustainable and fair energy system, with action needed on energy demand.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://www.sussex.ac.uk/broadcast/read/65196
 
Description Interview for Yahoo News: Why are UK homes so rubbish at staying warm? We asked the experts, 06.12.2024 
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 Mari Martiskainen was interviewed by Yahoo News for an article titled: "Why are UK homes so rubbish at staying warm? We asked the experts."
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://uk.news.yahoo.com/heating-uk-home-winter-insulation-cold-191422173.html?guccounter=1&guce_re...
 
Description Interview for national news - Financial Times 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Interview for Financial Times about social tariff for energy.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.ft.com/content/72cd7111-8306-4840-92af-7bd4b6f99b1c
 
Description Interview for regional news on climate change impacts on UK homes - ITV London and ITV Meridian, 19.11.2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Mari Martiskainen was interviewed by ITV news on 19 November 2024 on climate change and what impact it is having in UK homes.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Interview in media - the Big Issue 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Interview to Big Issue about energy prices.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.bigissue.com/news/social-justice/we-asked-experts-how-oil-giants-shell-bp-make-record-pr...
 
Description Invited presentation to Housing, Social Justice & Net Zero Seminar by Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), 02.10.2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Invited presentation to Housing, Social Justice & Net Zero Seminar organised by MCCLG, 2nd October 2024. Presentation focused on the lived experience of energy and transport vulnerability, especially in context of net zero transition and energy demand action. Participant feedback was positive, with policymakers indicating that they would consider people's whole lives more in policy.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Invited roundtable discussion by UKERC/Centre for Energy Policy 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Mari Martiskainen attended an invite-only roundtable event on discussion on energy policy, including also energy demand. Attendees included academia, industry, policy and NGOs. This led to further meetings with industry participants in particular, resulting in a Letter of Support for EDRC as well as further plans for joint collaboration.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Invited speaker, North East Chamber of Commerce 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Invited speaker at industry event, has led to conversations with 2 companies around student projects.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Invited talk - European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Mari Martiskainen was invited to talk at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on 3rd EESC Conference on Energy Poverty. Martiskainen presented on "The intersection of energy poverty and transport poverty". The event was attended by European policy makers and researchers.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/agenda/our-events/events/tackling-energy-poverty-just-transition/progr...
 
Description Invited talk at Local Trust event Supporting effective community leadership, London, 26.11.2024. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Mari Martiskainen was invited to present at an event focusing on Community energy leadership organised by Local Trust. Her talk focused on energy demand action at community level and what role community leadership can have in that. The audience consisted of an audience who were familiar with community leadership, but less so with community energy, providing an opportunity to present EDRC and energy demand action more generally to new audiences. The event was followed by the organisers writing a blog post which included key take aways from the event.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://localtrust.org.uk/news-and-stories/blog/four-key-elements-for-supporting-effective-community...
 
Description Invited to a meeting with Ofgem Head of Decarbonisation, Strategy & Decarbonisation team, on producing energy saving advice 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Mari Martiskainen was invited to a meeting with Ofgem on producing energy saving advice to households via the Ofgem website. This was an invited meeting with academics that have expertise in energy demand and household behaviour, resulting on the advice to Ofgem on their energy saving advice (on their website).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/actions-saving-energy
 
Description Launch event 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Launch webinar to promote the process of developing the Energy Demand Researh Centre Proposal.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.ncl.ac.uk/energy/partnerships-funding/edrc/
 
Description Meeting Equiwatt, 6/6/23 
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 Meeting with Equiwatt to discuss research and ways to engage
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Meeting North East Energy Catalyst, 26/5/23 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Working group discussing progress on energy transition for North East
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Meeting Prof Vigan Kumaran 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Discussed collaboration with UNITEN on whole energy systems work. Plans made regarding Visiting Professor.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Meeting with ACCESS 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Meeting to discuss proposal, providing useful learning on Centre proposal development, as well as discussing the sharing of best practise and guides in the future. ACCESS also offered to review proposal Theory of Change section.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
 
Description Meeting with ADE UK / CREDS Advisory Board Chair 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Meeting to discuss CREDS Advisory Board and seek views on who could help with shortlisting Co-I's, subsequent offer to help with Co-I shortlisting.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Meeting with Age UK 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Meeting with Age UK to present the centre proposal plans and main research programme. Interest in engaging together in the new centre, especially on issues such as equity issues and social tariffs.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Meeting with BEIS 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Meeting with the then UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Martiskainen presented the Centre's plans in two subsequent meetings, showing the development of thinking in terms of research programme development. The meetings involved feedback from BEIS officials, with further dicussions on proposal development.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Meeting with Belfast City Council 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Meeting to present the EDRC proposal and main research themes. Discussion on national and city level policies on retrofits especially. Consideration of whether the Place-Based Carbon Calculator could be developed further in the new Centre to also include Northern Ireland.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Meeting with CREDS Advisory Board 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Presentation to CREDS Advisory Board on the Centre proposal plans and emerging research themes from stakeholder consultation process. Discussion and feedback on the initial plans and research programme.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Meeting with CSA Prof Paul Monks March 2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact S Walker discussed latest research outcomes on HI-ACT and EDRC with DESNZ CSA Paul Monks
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Meeting with CSA Professor Paul Monks August 2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Meeting with DESNZ CSA Professor Paul Monks, to give regular update on HI-ACT and EDRC
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Meeting with CSAs Professor Sutcliffe and Professor Sharples 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact In person meeting with two CSAs, Professor Sutcliffe and Professor Sharples
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Meeting with Citizens Advice 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Meeting with Citizens Advice to present the Centre proposal plans and initial research themes. Discussion on possible collaboration in the future, as well as feedback on the proposal plans.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Meeting with Department for Transport 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Meeting with the UK Department for Transport to present and discuss the Energy Demand Research Centre research ideas and proposal. Martiskainen presented the Champion process and initial Centre ideas with DfT officials, who then provided feedback via further discussion.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Meeting with EPSRC SAC 
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 Presentation to EPSRC SAC meeting on Centre proposal.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Meeting with Northern Housing Consortium 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Meeting with Brian Robson of the Northern Housing Consortium 27/1/23
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Meeting with Richard Prager DLUHC CSA 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact S Walker meeting with Richard Prager DLUHC CSA to introduce EDRC
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Meeting with Scottish Government 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Meeting with Adriane Attorp of Scottish Government, 27/1/23, following joint panel event 14/12/22
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
 
Description Meeting with Tees Valley Combined Authority 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Meeting with Karen Oliver-Spry Tees Valley Combined Authority 27/1/23
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Meeting with Trades Union Congress: TUC 
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 Presentation to TUCAD meeting on the Energy Demand Research Champions plans for centre proposal.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Meeting with Welsh Government 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Meeting with a Welsh Government official to present EDRC proposal plans and research approach. Discussion about possible collaboration in the future especially regarding retrofit programmes.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Meeting with local government stakeholders 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact A number of meetings held with North East Local Enterprise Partnership, around energy demand regional issues including discussion of a combined event on heat networks
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Net Zero North East England indicators working group, 2/6/23 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Provided expert input to indicators working group for Net Zero North East England, indicators approved and adopted by North of Tyne Combined Authority.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Net Zero North East England launch - invited speaker 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Presented work done for Net Zero North East England, have now been invited onto Advisory Group for NZNEE
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Northern Ireland Stakeholder engagement event 
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 As part of the project's launch, EDRC hosted stakeholder forum events in each of the four home nations: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. At these events, regional stakeholders are invited to comment on the Call to action on energy demand and to help shape EDRC's research agenda. The Northern Ireland stakeholder event took place on 28th March at Queens University Belfast.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://www.edrc.ac.uk/news-blog/driving-down-energy-consumption-in-northern-ireland/
 
Description Panel member discussing investment in net zero 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Northstar event, expert panel member on Ethical Net Zero
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Presentation at Citizens Advice Meeting net zero in our homes, Southeast Conference 2024 (title: Meeting net zero - consumer confidence) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Presentation to Citizens Advice Southeast Conference 2024, which focused on the topic of "Meeting net zero in our homes". Presentation focused on the role of consumers in net zero and rising consumer confidence on energy demand actions such as cleaner heating.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Presentation at Influencing Policy as researchers, C-DICE event, London, 31.10.2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Mari Martiskainen was invited by C-Dice to present at this event which focused on how to achieve policy impact as researchers. C-DICE hosted this exclusive, one-day event in Westminster where researchers and academics can delve into energy and net zero policymaking in the UK, and gained invaluable insights on how to effectively engage with policymakers in Parliament. Other speakers at the event included Chief Scientific Advisor Paul Monks, House of Commons Committee Clerk Stephen McGinness, Keith Bell of the Climate Change Committee, Senior Library Clerk at House of Commons Library Suzanna Hinson, SCI group technology director Andy Walker, COE of Faraday Institution Martin Freer, and CTO of Energy Systems Catapult John Saltmarsh. Mari presented on a topic: "Experiences from developing research to inform Net Zero policymaking".

EDRC was asked for further meetings with the House of Commons Library after the event, which took place on 20 November and focused on discussing EDRC's Equity theme and recent report on "Addressing fuel poverty: what are the relative benefits of public spending on direct bill support or energy efficiency?". HoC found the report and linked policy brief useful in preparation of a report on fuel poverty. There are also plans for further engagement with Energy Systems Catapult.

The organisers provided the following feedback from participants at the event, who explicitly mentioned how useful Mari's talk had been, including the selection of topics, pace and style of delivery, way of communicating the content which was easy to understand and relate to, real life lived examples for case studies that will be useful for them and how 'genuinely passionate the speaker' has been with the presentation as well as the research behind it.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://www.cdice.ac.uk/influencing-policy-as-researchers/
 
Description Presentation to Climate Change Committee CEO 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact The Climate Change Committee's CEO Chris Stark visited the University of Sussex in November 2023. Prof Mari Martiskainen presented the Energy Demand Research Centre (EDRC), followed by discussion on the centre's key aims and objectives.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Presentation to Cross-Consortia Engagement Meeting (CCEM3) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Prof Mari Martiskainen presented EDRC to the Cross-Consortia Engagement Meeting (CCEM3), followed by discussion on engagement and impact.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Quote in BBC article 
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 Prof Mari Martiskainen was interviewed for a BBC article on heatpumps.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-67511954
 
Description Quote in Euractiv on energy poverty 
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 Mari Martiskainen quoted in an article on "Energy poverty on the rise in Europe, statistics show" 21 Jul 2023.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/news/energy-poverty-on-the-rise-in-europe-statistics-show/
 
Description Quoted in national BBC magazine 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Sara Walker quoted in Future Earth newsletter, as a result of engaging with request from media contact.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2025
 
Description Stakeholder forum with IPPR, Octopus Energy and RAP - London 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact EDRC organised a stakeholder forum in London on 5 March 2024 to present the centre's key research themes and opportunities for lower energy demand futures. The event included panellists' reflection and Q&A with IPPR, Octopus Energy and Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP). The event was attended by 42 people from policy, industry and third sector. Several EDRC team members made plans for further activity, including regular meetings with policy makers.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Talk at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact In February 2023, Sara Walker gave a talk on the high energy prices for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) Tyne & Wear at Northumbria University
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Talk to North East Women in Engineering and Computing Science, 30/6/23 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Talk to staff and students about my career journey in energy
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Talk to webinar 'Sustainability and the world around us', Newcastle University, 26/7/23 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Talk to university students
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Video: Discover the impact our research is having on society 
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 Undergraduate students
Results and Impact Mari Martiskainen took part in a video which highlights research impact at the University of Sussex Business School. The video features four Sussex professors who discuss the type of research that is being undertaken at the Business School and what impact it may have. Mari Martiskainen highlights energy demand as one key topic in the video.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023,2024
URL https://youtu.be/VggNNdwAoZY
 
Description Webinar "The role of science, engineering and innovation in delivering the energy transition" 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Panel event featuring Prof Sara Walker, Prof Jim Skea, and George Pitt, chaired by Chief Scientific Adviser Paul Monks.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2025