POWERING THE PLANET
http://www​.applied​-anth​ro​po​lo​gy​.com/​

The fifth edition of the annual symposium “Why the World Needs Anthropologists” explores how energy pro­fes­sio­nals and anth­ro­po­lo­gists can cooperate to design and deploy energy inno­va­tions that alter the world for the better.

DAY 1, Saturday, 28 October 2017 (location: The Calman Learing Centre, Durham University)

OPENING
The event will be official­ly opened by Sandra Bell, Maggie Bosanquest, and convenors of EASA Applied Anthropology Network.

SPEAKERS

BENJ SYKES
ENERGY FUTURES: PEOPLE, PLACE AND GENERATION
What does the rapidly acce­le­ra­ting roll out of new low carbon power gene­ra­tion mean for local com­mu­ni­ties and society more widely? What are the implica­tions for society as we decar­bo­ni­se our energy system to tackle climate change – and what role could social scien­tists play?

SOPHIE BOULY DE LESDAIN
CAN ANTHROPOLOGY CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOLAR ENERGY?
Energy tech­no­lo­gies and policies backing solar panels are often based on utopias fueled by positive public opinion towards green energies. In her pre­sen­ta­tion, Sophie Bouly de Lesdain shows how anth­ro­po­lo­gy, overco­ming ste­reo­ty­pes, provides insight into the issues involved in the ins­tal­la­tion of Photovoltaic by the locals.

TANJA WINTHER
DELAYING OR ENHANCING SOLUTIONS TO THE ENERGY DILEMMA?
In the search for solutions to the energy dilemma – provision of modern energy for all and sus­tai­nable pro­duc­tion and con­sump­tion – what role could or should be played by anth­ro­po­lo­gists? In this pre­sen­ta­tion Winther draws on her expe­riences to reflect on the rela­tions­hip between the open and con­tex­tua­lized type of knowledge we produce as anth­ro­po­lo­gists and the normative realm of policies.

VERONICA STRANG
EMPOWERING INFRASTRUCTURES: WATER, STEEL AND STONE
Water infra­struc­tu­re brings together some very ‘powerful’ materials: water, steel and stone which, through their par­ticu­lar pro­per­ties, co-construct the rela­tions­hips we have with them. This paper aims to provide some insights into the ‘power of materials’.

PANEL DISCUSSION
The discus­sion will focus on the deve­lop­ment of new sus­tai­nable solutions for energy pro­duc­tion and con­sump­tion. Discussants: Benj Sykes, Tanja Winther, Sophie Bouly de Lesdain, and Veronica Strang. Moderator: Dan Podjed, Convenor of EASA Applied Anthropology Network.

ENERGY HOTSPOT
During the day, our co-orga­ni­sers, sponsors and partners will present at the Energy Hotspot. Do not miss the oppor­tu­ni­ty to mingle with ent­husiasts from all sorts of different domains in academia, energy industry and non-for-profit sector.

SOCIAL EVENT
Do you still have the energy to join us for a social event? We will use the cutting-edge anth­ro­po­lo­gical approac­hes to spot the best place in Durham.

DAY 2, Saturday, 29 October 2017 (location: The Calman Learing Centre, Durham University)

WORKSHOPS

ACCOUNTING FOR ENERGY (Energethics)
The roles of cor­po­ra­tions in aiming for a sus­tai­nable future, and how anth­ro­po­lo­gical insights help asking the right questions.

ETHNO-ENGINEERING (LCEDN)
How to work appropria­te­ly with technical practice inno­va­tions in culturing skills for renewable energy.

INSIGHTFUL JOBS (ASA Apply)
Demonstrating the Value of Reflexive Thinking.

MINING HISTORY (Durham Energy Institute)
A walking tour of Durham featuring its hidden history as the centre of what was once the largest coalfield in England.

BUILDING CORPORATE CULTURES OF SUSTAINABILITY (The Culture Academy)
Understanding and building sus­tai­na­bi­li­ty into the DNA of your orga­ni­sa­tion.

REGISTRATION
The event is free of charge. Subscribe now. We will keep you posted on event updates and allow you to secure the place in one of the workshops. Remember that subsc­rip­tion is not full regi­stra­tion. It must be completed in September 2017.

http://www​.applied​-anth​ro​po​lo​gy​.com/​registration/​

ORGANISING COMMITTEE
Simone A. Abram, Sandra Bell, Pavel Borecký, Ben Campbell, Lynn Gibson, Meta Gorup, Dan Podjed, Evelyn Tehrani

ADVISORY BOARD
Lawrence Agbemabiese, Ellen Bal, Sandra Bell, Alenka Bezjak Mlakar, Lenora Bohren, Simone Borile, Carlo A. Cubero, Lu Ann De Cunzo, Jurij Fikfak, Carla Guerrón Montero, Duška Knežević Hočevar, Kristin Kuutma, Art Leete, Rajko Muršič, Desirée Pangerc, Jaka Repič, Klāvs Sedlenieks, Veronica Strang, Peter Simonič, Giulia Sinatti, Ülo Valk, Rhoda Woets

SPONSORS
European Association of Social Anthropologists (EASA), ASA Apply, Durham Energy Institute, Institute of Advanced Study at Durham University, Department of Anthropology at Durham University