The Energy Cultures International Conference will be held 6th and 7th July 2016 at the Mac's Function Centre, Wellington, New Zealand and is hosted by the Energy Cultures Research Group from the University of Otago.
The energy sector is facing an uncertain future. The demands of development contrasted with the constraints of global climate change, peak oil, and resource availability underscore the need for a long-term transformation of energy systems. Yet achieving a sustainable energy future will require action and support of multiple actors across a range of scales.
The purpose of this international conference is twofold: to share findings and conceptual advances from the Energy Cultures research programme; and to invite other research perspectives on energy-related behaviour and its role in transitioning to a sustainable energy future. The conference invites a broad focus on behaviour change that includes households, businesses and governments; energy and mobility; and from single-factor to systemic change.
The program will consist of plenary and thematic sessions and discussions in plenum. The conference will bring together academics and practitioners from different disciplines, backgrounds, and sectors, to strengthen the relationship between theory and practice, and to identify mechanisms for translating research outcomes into opportunities for transition.
The conference will bring together leading 'thinkers' and 'doers' from New Zealand and around the world to share their cutting-edge research into energy and mobility behaviours, behaviour change, and broader socio-technical transitions. It will provide the opportunity for scholars to share their insights with other researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.
The conference will take place over two days (Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 July 2016) and include sessions showcasing research selected through a competitive abstract process . The first day will focus on contributions that extend theory or understanding around behaviour, behaviour change, and transition. The second day will have a stronger focus on implementation and implications for policymakers and practitioners.
There will be four international keynote speakers across the two days, providing a range of insights into sustainable energy futures. Details of the keynote talks and speaker biographies can be found on the Energy Cultures website.
Who should attend?
The Energy Cultures Conference aims to bring together:
• Researchers (e.g., economics, psychology, sociology, management, law, humanities, interdisciplinary)
• Decision makers and practitioners (e.g., national and local government, utilities, businesses, entrepreneurs)
• Influencers (e.g., community organisations, media, non-profits)
We invite participants from any discipline or sector whose work relates to the conference theme.
Timeframe
18 December 2015 Deadline for submission of extended abstracts
01 February 2016 Registration opens
15 February 2016 Authors will be notified of acceptance
01 May 2016 Deadline for presenters registration
15 May 2016 Confirmation of final programme
6-7 July 2016 Conference
Registration
Registration for the conference will open early 2016. We will let you know when registrations open through our e-newsletter and twitter account @energycultures #energycultures2016.
Conference Committee
Conference Chair: Dr Janet Stephenson
Conference Co-conveners: Dr Debbie Hopkins, Dr Rebecca Ford
Conference Manger: Jane Khan
Committee Members: Dr Ben Wooliscroft, Dr Sara Walton, Dr Michelle Scott
For additional enquiries please contact energy.cultures@otago.ac.nz