Registration and call for contributions open
SSH Energy Workshop: Narrative, normative, persuasive – How SSH energy shapes imaginable transitions
The 4TH Swiss Social Sciences and Humanities Energy Research Workshop (SSH Energy), welcomes the new SWEET consortium, “Co-Evolution and Coordinated Simulation of the Swiss Energy System and Swiss Society" (external pageCoSi), on board. This year’s workshop focuses on “Narrative, normative, persuasive – How SSH energy shapes imaginable transitions”. The workshop is an opportunity for researchers, practitioners and policymakers to share perspectives and insights on the societal implications, discourses, and transformation processes required to transition to a more sustainable energy system. It will also provide a timely opportunity to discuss current societal and political developments, such as the implications of the decision on the Federal Act for secure energy supply with renewable energy (“Mantelerlass”), taking place on 9 June 2024.
Energy has rightly become one of the most pressing global issues demanding collective action. Since 2022, three successful SSH Energy workshops have taken place, opening a forum to discuss the relevance of SSH research on the energy transition . In the 2024 SSH Energy workshop, CoSi seeks to consolidate a platform for exchange to link various disciplines, develop a common understanding, and achieve a co-creation process with stakeholders. As a bridge-maker, CoSi gathers and intermingles different stakeholders and energy research communities to co-design sustainable and innovative energy approaches. We seek to analyse, reflect on and reinforce the role that arts, humanities and social sciences have following recent discussions on materialities and ontological politics in STS and humanities . This is accompanied by a recent volume collecting contributions to the energy research debate from the Swiss Social Sciences and Humanities Energy Research Group.
We look forward to welcoming all scholars within and beyond social sciences, humanities, arts and inter- and transdisciplinary research, practitioners and policymakers keen to engage in these discussions. Early career researchers are especially welcome to participate!
We invite participants and contributors from all fields of research related to the Swiss energy transition. Contributions that integrate an SSH perspective or contributions from SSH scholars will get priority. Please indicate how your submission aligns with the streams and questions as well as which of the given formats your contribution takes (below). We have a limited number of slots for oral presentations as we intend to open a forum space for discussions and informal exchanges.
We aim at bringing together rich case studies from various Swiss projects and programmes, to generate new conceptualizations of energy narratives fruitfully integrating the arts, humanities and social sciences. Discourses such as narratives are a particular object of inquiry, and we will explore innovative transdisciplinary approaches to studying and improving energy transitions.
We invite participants to explore topics ranging from and expanding the following:
- Methods and concepts for imagining energy transitions
- Transdisciplinary research and tools in energy research: What is the role of inter- and transdisciplinary research in energy modelling? What are future potentials for co-production of knowledge?
- The role of storytelling for energy modelling
- Innovative methods for energy policy-making
- The role of SSH energy research in policy-making: disciplines, methodologies
- Societal factors integrated in energy modelling: what do models already integrate and how? What is missing? How social scientists engage with and contribute to models?
- Culture-focused approaches to energy transitions: what are the potentials of integrating a cultural approach to modelling? Why to do so
- Making and unmaking of energy modelling integrating heterogenous modes of expertise, materials, and practices
- Stakeholder engagement strategies in SSH energy research
- Towards case specific integration of SSH into energy modeling, methods, and theories
- Socio-technical or historical imaginaries of energy transitions and the roles of SSH
Paper presentations limited to 15 minutes. Convenors will group presentations into sessions lasting 60 or 90 minutes. Sessions feature multiple presentations with discussion time. Please submit a title and abstract (max 250 words).
Knowledge gathering sessions provide a format for an 8-minute pitch (Pecha Kucha) on a variety of topics. For example, in-depth case studies of SSH integration into modelling, presentation of a method for integration, a failed project or why SSH matters in modelling, etc. Please provide a title and abstract (max 150 words). Convenors will allocate your pitch in the corresponding gathering session that better relates to your topic.
Installations with tangible objects accompanied by explanations or questions, for example:
- Artistic contributions related to SSH energy research and transdisciplinary processes
- Key questions presented in an aesthetically appealing form
- Other forms of exhibits
For installations, contact Stephanie Briers to confirm feasibility.
Poster sessions offer a space to pitch a variety of topics around printed posters. Please provide a title and abstract (max 150 words), including format description.
The workshop will take place in-person at ETH Zurich. Online participation is not possible. Participants with no presentations are also welcome to attend! Convenors will organize a set of mini-workshops and participative formats to allow for informal exchanges and discussions.
Capacity: 80 places, first come first serve. Priority given to contributors.
Fees: free of charge for all participants
Venue: ETH Zurich, PBLabs, D-Floor, RZ building, Clausiusstrasse 59, 8006
Dates:
- 9 April–31 May 2024: registration
- 2 May 2024: abstract submission deadline
- 17 May 2024: notice of acceptance
- 17 – 18 June 2024: SSH Energy Workshop
Contact: for queries please contact Stephanie Briers ()
Organising Committee
The 4TH Swiss Social Sciences and Humanities Energy Research Workshop (SSH Energy) is organised by CoSi Consortium and the Cultural Studies of Science and Technology Group (CSTS) in the Transdisciplinarity Lab (TdLab), ETH Zurich.
- PD Dr. Bianca Vienni-Baptista (CSTS Group lead, TdLab, ETH Zurich)
- Dr. Stephanie Briers (CSTS, TdLab, ETH Zurich)
- Dr. Annika Sohre (University of Basel)
- MSc. Konstanty Ramotowski (CSTS, TdLab, ETH Zurich)
- Victoria Herbig (CSTS Group, TdLab, ETH Zurich)
Scientific Committee
- Prof. Dr. Michael Stauffacher (TdLab, ETH Zurich)
- Prof. Dr. Isabelle Stadelmann (University of Bern)
- Prof. Dr. Christian Pohl (TdLab, ETH Zurich)
- Dr. Hugo Caviola (University of Bern)
- Dr. Yann Blumer (ZHAW School of Management and Law)
- Dr. Devon Wemyss (ZHAW School of Management and Law)
- Dr. Annika Sohre (University of Basel)
- Dr. Gracia Brückmann (University of Bern)
- Dr. Valentino Piana (HES-SO Valais-Wallis)
- PD Dr. Bianca Vienni-Baptista (CSTS Group, ETH Zurich)
- Dr. Stephanie Briers (CSTS Group, ETH Zurich)
Contact: for queries please contact Stephanie Briers ()
