Creating a better energy future for us all
What is the place of energy in human life?
The global consumption of energy is rising at an astonishing rate and to sustain this demand, energy producers are relying on increasingly innovative ways of harvesting energy from hydrocarbons, nuclear and renewable resources. As a necessary but precious component for living, the energy that is produced, distributed and consumed raises fundamental questions about what we consider to be right or good.
Applying insights and methods from anthropology and beyond, this multi-disciplinary project seeks to open up a truly novel line of enquiry that takes seriously the importance of ethical sensibility in our energy relationships. Focusing on the events, processes and materials involved, this project positions people as not only central to, but also responsible for our larger energy predicament as we ask: How would we like to sustain human and other life?
We are excited to share the news that Mette M. High’s latest book, Fear and Fortune: Spirit Worlds and Emerging Economies in the Mongolian Gold Rush, published by Cornell University Press has been selected as a Finalist for the 2020 Society for Economic Anthropology Book Prize. The SEA Book Prize Committee looks for the best books in economic anthropology published over the last three years.
Our team have organised a virtual panel on Zoom to take place this Friday (28th).
The panel will feature our very own Dr Mette High, Dr Sean Field and Dr Pauline Destree alongside Dr Anna Szolucha from University of Northumbria and Dr Noah Walker-Crawford from the University of Manchester.
Register in advance for this meeting: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAucO-rqzgpE9IACWI–l3t3Ay7W43pVyTa
Bringing together scholars, artists, industry leaders and others, this event will take place between the 9th and 13th November 2020.
We are excited to announce the publication of “Energy and Ethics?” – a Special Issue of the Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute edited by Mette M. High and Jessica M. Smith.
by James Crooks
The production of energy through the burning of biological materials has been considered a renewable, reliable and even relatively clean alternative to the use of fossil fuels. However, as the industry has grown these claims have faced increased scrutiny; critics have claimed that biomass on a large scale has negative long- and short-term environmental impacts not only on pollution but on biodiversity generally. So we have to ask: is biomass an energy source of the future?
Across the world, energy systems are making the transition from fossil fuels to renewables. This energy transition, unlikely as it may sound, is influenced in a small but meaningful way, by whaling. This post considers how findings from environmental research conducted in collaboration with a small whaling community in the Caribbean provide key evidence for the healthy and sustainable benefits of renewable energy systems, especially in the context of small island developing states.
We are always looking for new talent to join our ever growing team. PhD students and post-doctoral scholars who are keen to base their research activities here are welcome to contact us. Any current opportunities will also be announced here.