Research on energy research – how it contributes to a sustainable transition
2024-11-21
How does the Swedish School of Library and Information Science come into the picture when it comes to research on energy systems? Gustaf Nelhans, Associate Professor of Library and Information Science, explained:
“Our project aims to investigate how we can describe and evaluate the quality of research on energy systems, and how this research affects society. We are particularly interested in seeing how research contributes to a sustainable transition in the energy sector.”
“The project also includes a methodological portion where we develop techniques and methods for investigating research on research. It is based on a long-term interest in evaluation issues in the research of the project participants. Energy research is our case here.”
How does the project approach things?
“We combine qualitative and quantitative approaches. The former include interviews and participatory observations with researchers, reviewers (who are also researchers), and project officers/analysts from the Swedish Energy Agency. This is combined with bibliometric analyses and quantitative content analyses of how to follow the traces of research both within the research community and in the surrounding society, for example in policy texts and news media.”
“Our research can be called transdisciplinary and means that we are not only interested in the impact of research in society, but rather in how research and society are ‘co-produced’”, he said.
How will the results benefit society?
“The project can contribute to improving knowledge about energy systems research to make it more relevant and effective in supporting a sustainable transition. By providing policymakers and the public with a deeper understanding of the role of research, the project can facilitate the design of better policy and action. In addition, the project's holistic perspective can promote collaboration and knowledge exchange between different actors in society, which can accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy system.”
The project is coordinated by Halmstad University. Which part of the project is carried out at the Swedish School of Library and Information Science?
“We researchers at the Swedish School of Library and Information Science have a slightly more quantitative analysis approach, where bibliometric methods, as well as AI-based text-based textual analytical methods, are in focus. At the same time, it is important to point out that it is the combination of participatory observations and interviews with key actors and analyses of scientific articles, policy texts and research applications that makes the project so relevant.”
What is happening right now within the project?
“Right now, we are working on a joint review article on the international state of research in transdisciplinary research, which we plan to publish next year. The project also builds on previous collaborations between the research leaders at Halmstad University and the Swedish School of Library and Information and Information Science, and we have postdocs, one of whom is with us in Borås, linked to the project. We build on their specific interests from already conducted research on evaluation, peer review and bibliometric analysis.”
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The project ENSURE is three years and will run until 2026. It is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency.
Solveig Klug
Adobestock