PhD Research project
Supervisor: Mari Martiskainen
Social innovation in the energy system
This proposal is focused on social innovation within the energy system, interested in concept such
as citizen-led energy action. The research could focus especially on looking at the type of social
innovations that have developed in relation to energy systems, what has motivated such initiatives,
what have been their outcomes and whether they have influence on wider energy policy. The
research could focus either on demand or supply, or both.
Transition to low carbon residential buildings
This research will focus on the innovation of energy efficiency of residential buildings. The project
would seek to analyse what the status of innovation in the residential sector is, and what challenges
and opportunities there are in relation to wider energy policy objectives.
Politics of grassroots innovations
Grassroots innovations have been conceptualised as civil society led networks and initiatives that
aim to address the sustainability of food, energy and transport. Initiatives such as community energy
projects, community gardens, food networks and car sharing clubs for example provide thriving
spaces for sustainable consumption, and new technological and social innovations. These initiatives
are often driven by social good, rather than by pure monetary motives. Much of previous research in
grassroots innovations has focused largely on conceptualizing such initiatives, and analysing their
development as well as potential for replication and diffusion; there has been less research in the
politics involved in these initiatives. I would be interested in supervising a PhD project which looks at
the politics of grassroots innovations and how they link to political engagement.
References
Broto, V.C., 2012. Social housing and low carbon transitions in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Environmental
Innovation and Societal Transitions 2, 82-97.
Dahlander, L., Frederiksen, L., 2012. The core and cosmopolitans: A relational view of innovation in
user communities. Organ. Sci. 23, 988-1007.
Grimm, R., Fox, C., Baines, S., Albertson, K., 2013. Social innovation, an answer to contemporary
societal challenges? Locating the concept in theory and practice. Innovation: The European
Journal of Social Science Research 26, 436-455.
Seyfang, G., Smith, A., 2007. Grassroots innovations for sustainable development: Towards a new
research and policy agenda. Environmental Politics 16, 584-603.