Call for papers for the 2016 RGS-IBG Annual Conference, 30th August – 2nd September 2016, London, UK.
Beyond and Across “Energy”: Addressing Nexus Challenges through Interdisciplinary, Integrative, and Inclusive Approaches
Sponsors: Transport Geography Research Group and the Energy Geographies Research Group
Organisers: Debbie Hopkins, Rebecca Ford, Ben Wooliscroft, Michelle Scott and Janet Stephenson (University of Otago, New Zealand) In order to ‘address the interdependencies, tensions and trade-offs between different environmental and social domains’, and transition to a more efficient, equitable and sustainable future, insights are required that go beyond traditional boundaries. In this session, we will explore interdisciplinary, integrative and inclusive approaches that provide novel and innovative ways of thinking about environmental and social problems. In particular, we are interested in the many roles of “energy” as a vector in social, economic and environmental outcomes. Energy underpins most daily activities and, in many forms, drives carbon emissions in both the global North and South through its sourcing, conversion, transmission, and residential (e.g. home lighting, heating, and transport), commercial, and industrial use. We call for papers that situate energy within the context of everyday human needs and activities (e.g. water, food, mobility, manufacturing) that step beyond interdisciplinary thinking, and that transcend the traditional sectoral silos.
In the last decade alone, a wide range of interventions, coming from a variety of theoretical perspectives and practical approaches, have been developed to bring about reductions in energy demand and carbon emissions. However these interventions are often embedded in a single academic tradition, and often overlook systemic interactions particularly between technical innovation and behaviour. The implications of these interventions on other challenges, such as water scarcity and food security, requires further consideration since the use of energy is deeply embedded within the physical and social contexts of daily life, and change will involve a wide variety of actors in all sectors of the economy and society.
In this session, we invite original, scholarly contributions, which can be empirical, theoretical or methodological in nature, and which may sit within one or more of the following themes (alternative themes are also welcomed):

  *   Reviews of the value and limitations of disciplinary and/or interdisciplinary research for understanding nexus challenges
  *   Theoretically, conceptually and/or empirically novel understandings of energy in a resource-constrained world
  *   Integrative approaches that acknowledge discipline-based ontologies
  *   Consideration of theories and methodologies that can aid understandings of transitions across varying geographical, political and cultural contexts
  *   The value of radical versus incremental transitions in achieving long-term systemic change
  *   Examinations of the justice and ethics of access to energy in a resource-constrained future
  *   Research-informed learnings with relevance for policy and practice across spatial scales
  *   Integrative and inclusive research within and beyond the academy

We are seeking abstracts (c.250 words) for oral presentations examining nexus challenges through interdisciplinary, integrative, and inclusive approaches. Abstracts and questions should be submitted to [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> by Thursday 4th February. Notification of acceptance will be given by Tuesday 9th February.
For more details on the conference and registration details, please see: http://www.rgs.org/WhatsOn/ConferencesAndSeminars/Annual+International+Conference/Annual+International+Conference+2016.htm

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