Insights from the University of Sussex, Science Policy Research Unit, SPRU

Joni Karjalainen University of Turku, Finland Futures Research Centre (FFRC)

Neo-Carbon 9th Researchers Seminar11th December 2017

Lappeenranta

Why go in the first place to a research exchange?

• Motivation• Complementary expertise• Suitable timing• Academic, professional development,

internationalisation – taking the initiative

What did I do to go?

1. Looked at several different countries2. Different universities and their expertise3. People whose articles I had read: list of

potential names4. Contacted receiving institute’s administration5. Searched for supplementary funding in

Finland and UK6. Dealt with paperwork at home and abroad

• Anchored in the School of Business Management and Economics, pioneer in science, technology and innovation studies

• Ranked 1st in the UK (7th globally) by the 'Global Go To Think Tank Index report 2016', in list of top Science and Technology think tanks

• University of Sussex ranked best in the world for development studies, above Harvard University (2), the University of Oxford (3) and the University of Cambridge (4), by the QS World University Rankings 2017

University of Sussex, Science Policy Research Unit, SPRU

https://www.google.fi/maps/place/Sussex+Energy+Group+at+SPRU/@50.8673473,-0.2300745,11z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x487588ca96ea84dd:0xb730d9abc728c2ab!8m2!3d50.8673473!4d-0.0899988

Where is it?

United Kingdom

University of Sussex

Brighton is 30 minutes from London-Gatwick Airport and 1 hour away from London by train.

University of Sussex

Research for a world in transition

Economic Crisis

Climate change and global warming

Growth of digital economy

Global health

Biotechnology

Genetically engineered foodUrbanisation

Globalisation New wars

Inequality and poverty

Governance

Nuclear energy, energy crisis and renewables

Unemployment and the changing nature of work

Building up SPRU’s DNA

2016

1966

1960s – 1970s

1980s – 1990s

Building up SPRU’s DNA

Founded in 1966 atSussex (Freeman,Oldham, Fuller)

Sources of InventionProject SAPPHO

Transfer to DevelopingCountries/Sussex Manifesto

Thinking about the Future: A Critique of “Limits to Growth” (STAFF project)

Work on Future ofEnergy Demand

Work on Arms Raceand Defense Industry

Work on the History ofScientific Institutionsand Science Policy

1971Research Policy founded

1972Preparing first UN Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm

1972Move to Mantell Building

1973Thinking about the Future: A Critique of the Limits to Growth

1982Contributions to teaching, becomes formally teaching unit with its own MSc (STP) and doctoral program

2000s: Developing new agendas

2004-2010Hidden Innovation work / Brighton Fuse Project

2006Launch of STEPs Centre jointly with IDS

2009New School of Business, Management and Economics integrating SPRU

2013Centre on Innovation and Energy Demand

2014Nexus Network launch

2010New Sussex Manifesto

2011Development of new UG teaching in Business and Management with strong science and technology component

2014Launch of NEW SPRU Strategy: Transforming Innovation

At the forefront for 50 years

SPRU ‘has been at the forefront of thinking and policy advice in science and technology studies, innovation in research and technological change since its inception… [Its] alumni have gone on to set up policy research centres and think tanks all over the world and many work in senior positions

in governments.’

Research Fortnight, 2011

At the forefront for 50 years

Sussex Energy Group (SEG)

Read more:http://www.sussex.ac.uk/spru/research/major/sussexenergygroup/members

“Undoubtedly, the greatest direct influence of the Unit on national and international policies has

been in relation to developing countries. The Unit’s empirical research has made a major original

contribution to knowledge in this field, which has not only influenced the whole climate of

discussion of those issues, but has had a direct and perceptible influence on institutions”

Chris FreemanSPRU’s Ten Year Review

(1966-1976), 1975

Institute of Development Studies (IDS)

Research collaboration with…

Marshall, Mipsie, Ockwell, David and Byrne, Robert (2017) Sustainable energy for all or sustainable energy for men? Gender and the construction of identity within climate technology entrepreneurship in Kenya. Progress in Development Studies, 17 (2). pp. 148-172. ISSN 1464-9934

Rolffs, Paula, Ockwell, David and Byrne, Rob (2015) Beyond technology and finance: pay-as-you-go sustainable energy access and theories of social change. Environment and Planning A, 47 (12). pp. 2609-2627. ISSN 0308-518X

Watson, Jim, Ockwell, David, Byrne, Robert and Stua, Michele (2015) Lessons from China: building technological capabilities for low carbon technology transfer and development. Climatic Change, 131 (3). pp. 387-399. ISSN 0165-0009

Ockwell, David and Byrne, Robert (2015) Climate relevant innovation-system builders (CRIBs). The African Technopolitan, 3. pp. 83-85.

Ockwell, David and Byrne, Rob (2015) Improving technology transfer through national systems of innovation: climate relevant innovation-system builders (CRIBs). Climate Policy, 16 (7). pp. 836-854.

Baker, Lucy and Sovacool, Benjamin k (2017) The political economy of technological capabilities and global production networks in South Africa’s wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) industries. Political Geography, 60. pp. 1-12. ISSN 0962-6298

Sovacool, Benjamin K, Burke, Matthew, Baker, Lucy, Kotikalapudi, Chaitanya Kumar and Wlokas, Holle (2017) New frontiers and conceptual frameworks for energy justice. Energy Policy, 105. pp. 677-691. ISSN 0301-4215

Power, Marcus, Newell, Peter, Baker, Lucy, Bulkeley, Harriet, Kirshner, Joshua and Smith, Adrian (2016) The political economy of energy transitions in Mozambique and South Africa: the role of the rising powers. Energy Research and Social Science, 17 (July). pp. 10-19. ISSN 2214-6296

Baker, Lucy (2015) The evolving role of finance in South Africa's renewable energy sector. Geoforum, 64. pp. 146-156. ISSN 0016-7185

Baker, Lucy (2015) Renewable energy in South Africa's minerals-energy complex: a ‘low carbon’ transition? Review of African Political Economy, 42 (144). pp. 245-261. ISSN 0305-6244

Baker, Lucy, Newell, Peter and Phillips, Jon (2014) The political economy of energy transitions: the case of South Africa.New Political Economy, 19 (6). pp. 791-818. ISSN 1356-3467

March: Familiarized with SPRU. Met with Dr Rob Byrne around once a week. Attended “Energy and Development” course.

What did I actually do?(among other things)

December: See above.

November: Finalizing Neo-Carbon project reports.

October: Organising a Roundtable Uganda in EEP Seminar in Uganda, organising futures workshop in Kenya, collecting data

September: Planned for October trip, Applying funding for 2018.

June: Presentations at FFRC Futures Conference. See above.

August: Submitted article manuscript to ERSS. Met with Dr Lucy Baker to think what South Africa work could make sense.

July: Small holiday. Then, finalising article manuscript to Energy Research & Social Science.

April: Presented article and poster in Energy Research and Social Science conference in Sitges, Spain. Attended weekly lunch seminars. Refined theoretical framework.

May: Presented Neo-Carbon scenarios at SPRU PhD Forum. Analysed interview data. Sent corrections to 1st PhD article. Finally signed into Sussex University Sports.

Karjalainen, J. & Byrne, R., Heinonen S. & Ruotsalainen J. (2017) Radical Solar Energy Startups in East Africa, Neo-Carbon Energy WP1 Working Paper, Forthcoming

Karjalainen, J. (2017) Neo-Carbon Energy – Sub-Saharan Energy Futures. FFRC e-Book, Forthcoming

Karjalainen, J. & Byrne, R. (2018) Pioneering solar energy companies in Kenya and Tanzania – past development trajectories and future scenarios, Energy Research & Social Science. In peer review.

And other Neo-Carbon stuff, too…Karjalainen, Joni & Heinonen, Sirkka (2017) Using Deliberative Foresight to envision a Neo-Carbon Energy Innovation Ecosystem – the Case Study of Kenya. African Journal for Science, Technology, Innovation and Development. Pages 1-17. ISSN 2042-1338, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20421338.2017.1366133

Ruotsalainen Juho, Joni Karjalainen, Michael Child & Sirkka Heinonen (2017) Culture, values, lifestyles, and power in energy futures: a critical peer-to-peer vision for renewable energy, Energy Research & Social Science 34: 231–239, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214629617302402

Heinonen S, Karjalainen J, Ruotsalainen J, Steinmüller K (2017), Surprise as the new normal – implications for energy security, European Journal for Futures Research, Forthcoming

Results

• Challenge yourself - go a bit out of your comfort zone.

• Plan in advance – think ahead– Whom to contact– Set goals before you go, think if you

are on the track of achieving them.– Discuss from early on how to

collaborate and on what (aim, data, methodolodgy, work routines)

• Meet new interesting people, exchange and create ideas with them, make the most of the experience

• Can open up future collaboration opportunities

Conclusions