Organisers: Catherine Butler (PSYCH) and Chris Groves (BRASS)

In the contemporary context energy is positioned at the centre of debates about sustainability. In particular, changes to the energy system are situated as critical to tackling climate change because our use of energy in electricity generation, for transportation, as well as other industrial and domestic applications constitutes a major source of anthropogenic greenhouse gases. Concerns about issues of equity which surround the production, distribution and consumption of energy, the sustainability of energy supplies, specific issues relating to particular forms of energy generation (e.g. nuclear waste) and about the implications of emerging technologies (e.g. the use of nanotechnology in energy applications) all combine to create a wide ranging set of research questions and agendas in relation to energy and sustainability. Such concerns have led to calls for a new transition towards a more sustainable energy system characterised by security, affordability of supply, and efficient low-carbon sources. There is a general recognition that an interdisciplinary approach to research on energy is required to address the questions that arise with these calls for what some have termed a ‘new energy paradigm’. There is also, however, a recognised difficulty in achieving interdisciplinary collaboration. From basic difficulties such as differences in disciplinary based language, to more conceptual barriers, we find genuine issues in building effective interdisciplinary working relationships. The proposed activities will facilitate these forms of collaboration through a seminar series designed to bring together academics working on energy issues from a range of different disciplinary backgrounds.

The seminar series will involve presentations from speakers working on energy research from varied disciplinary perspectives to provide insight into and understanding of the differing forms of work taking place across the university and beyond. The events will facilitate insights into how connections might be made between current research activities, and enable the development of ideas for future collaborative research. Each seminar will involve two 20 minutes presentations from key persons in the thematic areas each event addresses. These will be followed by a chaired session of questions and discussion around the central themes and either a buffet lunch or evening drinks to allow further discussion and networking.

These seminars are free to attend and lunch (or evening drinks) will be provided. To get an idea of numbers for catering purposes could you please email butlercc1@cardiff.ac.uk to express your intention to attend.