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Dr Fiona Shirani
Teams and roles for Fiona Shirani
Research Fellow
School of Social and Spatial Sciences
Overview
I am a Social Science Research Fellow with an interest in housing, energy system decarbonisation and fuel poverty. I currently lead an impact delivery project in collaboration with Stride Treglown, which explores how insights from research on resident experiences can be integrated into the design of new build low carbon homes. This project is part of the interdisciplinary EPSRC Place Based Impact Acceleration Account The SWITCH to Net Zero Buildings. I also work as part of the Environment and Sustainability theme of BR-UK, an ESRC funded research consortium exploring behavioural research.
My current work centres on resident experiences of innovative new build low carbon housing. In particular, the focus is on learning about innovative developments in Wales and how resident feedback can inform future designs, including in relation to summer overheating. I regularly work with policy and practice stakeholders to support the practical application of research insights.
I have experience of a range of research projects in related areas, exploring energy in everyday life, decarbonisation, fuel poverty and energy vulnerability. I also have experience of working as part of large interdisciplinary consortia alongside Engineers and Architects and deliver cross-disciplinary teaching.
I specialise in qualitative methods, particularly qualitative longitudinal approaches where the same participants are revisited on a number of occasions over time. I also have experience of developing creative methodological approaches for use within and outside of interviews and have delivered training for the NCRM on this topic.
Reflecting my background in families and relationships research, I am on the editorial board of Families, Relationships and Societies.
Publication
2026
- Shirani, F. et al. 2026. “I can’t imagine living anywhere else”: A qualitative longitudinal view of low carbon home residence. Housing, Theory and Society 43 (3), pp.279-295. (10.1080/14036096.2025.2559106)
- Groves, C. et al., 2026. Opening reflexive spaces: Maps as an anticipatory tool in expert interviews. Qualitative Research (10.1177/14687941251406038)
- O'Sullivan, K. et al. 2026. Understanding residents’ experiences of home, health, and wellbeing in new and novel low carbon homes. Housing Studies 41 (1), pp.234-254. (10.1080/02673037.2025.2453015)
2025
- O'Sullivan, K. et al. 2025. Who pays for carbon dioxide removal? Public perceptions of risk and fairness of enhanced rock weathering in the UK.. Humanities & Social Sciences Communications 12 1010. (10.1057/s41599-025-05384-9)
- Hale, R. et al. 2025. ‘It's Nice to Have a Bit of Fresh Air’: Residents’ and Housing Professionals’ Interpretations of Air Regimes in Active Homes. Energy and Buildings
- Shirani, F. , Henwood, K. and Pidgeon, N. 2025. Resident experiences of active homes: Implications for current and future developments. Project Report.N/A.
2024
- Shirani, F. et al. 2024. Going backwards? A temporal perspective of what constitutes improvement in domestic heating transitions. Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy 20 (1) 2347075. (10.1080/15487733.2024.2347075)
- Roberts, E. et al. 2024. Attuning to ambiguous atmospheres: currents of air, discourse and time in a steel town. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers 49 (3) e12631. (10.1111/tran.12631)
- Cox, E. , Shirani, F. and Rouse, P. 2024. Voices from the algorithm: Large Language Models in social research. Energy Research and Social Science 113 103559. (10.1016/j.erss.2024.103559)
- O'Sullivan, K. et al. 2024. The role of Active Buildings in Smart Energy Imaginaries: Implications of living well in low carbon homes and neighbourhoods. In: Golubchikov, O. and Yenneti, K. eds. Smart Cities, Energy and Climate: Governing Cities for a Low‐Carbon Future. Wiley. , pp.93-110. (10.1002/9781118641156.ch6)
- Thomas, G. H. et al. 2024. A relational approach to characterizing householder perceptions of disruption in heat transitions. Nature Energy 9 , pp.570-576. (10.1038/s41560-024-01506-w)
- Groves, C. et al. 2024. Where is ‘the local’ in localization? Exploring socio-technical and spatial visions of energy system decarbonization in South Wales. Energy Research and Social Science 107 103330. (10.1016/j.erss.2023.103330)
2023
- Henwood, K. and Shirani, F. 2023. Researching the temporal. In: Cooper, H. ed. APA Handbook of Research Methods in Psychology: 2nd Edition. Vol. 2, APA Handbooks in Psychology American Psychological Association
- O'Sullivan, K. et al. 2023. Identity, place narrative and biophilic urban development: Connecting the past, present and future for sustainable liveable cities. Frontiers in Sustainable Cities 5 1139029. (10.3389/frsc.2023.1139029)
- Groves, C. et al. 2023. Putting visions in their place: Responsible research and innovation for energy system decarbonization. Journal of Responsible Innovation 10 (1) 2149954. (10.1080/23299460.2022.2149954)
- Henwood, K. et al. 2023. Living well in low carbon homes project report. Project Report.Self-publish.
2022
- Shirani, F. et al. 2022. From active houses to active homes: understanding resident experiences of transformational design and social innovation. Energies 15 (19) 7441. (10.3390/en15197441)
- Shirani, F. et al. 2022. Transformational innovation in home energy: How developers imagine and engage with future residents of low carbon homes in the United Kingdom. Energy Research and Social Science 91 102743.
- Shirani, F. et al. 2022. Living in an active home: household dynamics and unintended consequences. Buildings and Cities 3 (1), pp.589–604. (10.5334/bc.216)
- Cherry, C. et al. 2022. A personas-based approach to deliberating local decarbonisation scenarios: findings and methodological insights. Energy Research and Social Science 87 102455. (10.1016/j.erss.2021.102455)
- O'Sullivan, K. et al. 2022. Why active buildings? Realising the potentials of energy networked homes: a social scientific perspective. In: Vahidinasab, V. and Behnam Mohammadi-Ivatloo, eds. Active Building Energy Systems. Green Energy and Technology , pp.25-49. (10.1007/978-3-030-79742-3_2)
2021
- Groves, C. et al. 2021. The future is flexible? Exploring expert visions of energy system decarbonisation. Futures 130 102753. (10.1016/j.futures.2021.102753)
- Shirani, F. et al. 2021. ‘Who cares about valley people?’ – lived experiences of energy vulnerability in the South Wales valleys. Journal of Poverty and Social Justice 29 (1), pp.103-120. (10.1332/175982720X16074511160827)
- Groves, C. et al. 2021. A missing link? Capabilities, the ethics of care, and the relational context of energy justice. Journal of Human Development and Capabilities 22 (2), pp.249-269. (10.1080/19452829.2021.1887105)
- Pidgeon, N. et al. 2021. ‘A little self-sufficient town close to the beach’: local energy system transformation through the lens of place and public things. In: Webb, J. , Wade, F. and Tingey, M. eds. Research Handbook on Energy and Society. Edward Elgar. , pp.299-316.
- Shirani, F. et al. 2021. Mine water heating in Caerau: Thoughts from local residents. 2020 Report. Project Report.FLEXIS.
2020
- Groves, C. et al. 2020. ‘The bills are a brick wall’: narratives of energy vulnerability, poverty and adaptation in South Wales. Energy Research and Social Science 70 101777. (10.1016/j.erss.2020.101777)
- Shirani, F. et al. 2020. 'I'm the smart meter': Perceptions and experiences of smart technology amongst vulnerable consumers.. Energy Policy 144 111637. (10.1016/j.enpol.2020.111637)
- Henwood, K. , Shirani, F. and Finn, M. 2020. ‘So you think we’ve moved, changed, the representation got more what?’: methodological and analytical reflections on visual (photo-elicitation) methods used in the men-as-fathers study. In: Reavey, P. ed. A Handbook of Visual Methods in Psychology: Using and Interpreting Images in Qualitative Research 2nd Edition. Routledge. , pp.555-571. (10.4324/9781351032063-3732)
- Shirani, F. et al. 2020. What counts as success? Wider implications of achieving planning permission in a low-impact ecovillage. Environmental Values 29 (3), pp.339-359. (10.3197/096327119X15579936382536)
2019
- Groves, C. et al. 2019. Better energy futures: Developing a framework for addressing fuel poverty poverty. Project Report.Cardiff: Cardiff University.
2018
- Shirani, F. et al. 2018. UK smart living demonstrator (better energy futures) – research report. Cardiff: Cardiff University.
2017
- Henwood, K. , Shirani, F. and Groves, C. 2017. Using photographs in interviews: When we lack the words to say what practice means. In: Flick, U. ed. The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Data Collection. SAGE Publications. , pp.599-614.
- Shirani, F. et al. 2017. Critical moments? Life transitions and energy biographies. Geoforum 86 , pp.86-92. (10.1016/j.geoforum.2017.09.006)
- Groves, C. et al. 2017. Why mundane energy use matters: Energy biographies, attachment and identity. Energy Research and Social Science 30 , pp.71-81. (10.1016/j.erss.2017.06.016)
2016
- Henwood, K. , Groves, C. and Shirani, F. 2016. Relationality, entangled practices, and psychosocial exploration of intergenerational dynamics in sustainable energy studies. Families, Relationships and Societies 5 (3), pp.393-410. (10.1332/204674316X147584383416945)
- Shirani, F. et al. 2016. Living in the future: environmental concerns, parenting, and low-impact lifestyles. In: Ansell, N. , Klocker, N. and Skelton, T. eds. Geographies of Global Issues: Change and Threat. Vol. 8, Geographies of Children and Young People Singapore: Springer. , pp.1-20. (10.1007/978-981-4585-95-8_4-1)
- Shirani, F. et al. 2016. Asking about the future: methodological insights from energy biographies. International Journal of Social Research Methodology 19 (4), pp.429-444. (10.1080/13645579.2015.1029208)
- Groves, C. et al. 2016. Invested in unsustainability? On the psychosocial patterning of engagement in practices. Environmental Values 25 (3), pp.309-328. (10.3197/096327116X14598445991466)
- Groves, C. et al. 2016. Energy biographies: narrative genres, lifecourse transitions and practice change. Science, Technology, and Human Values 41 (3), pp.483-508. (10.1177/0162243915609116)
- Groves, C. et al. 2016. The grit in the oyster: using energy biographies to question socio-technical imaginaries of 'smartness'. Journal of Responsible Innovation 3 (1), pp.4-25. (10.1080/23299460.2016.1178897)
- Henwood, K. et al. 2016. Energy Biographies Research Report. Project Report.Cardiff: .Energy Biographies.
2015
- Parkhill, K. et al., 2015. "We are a community but that takes a certain amount of energy": Exploring shared visions, social action and resilience in place-based community-led initiatives. Environmental Science & Policy 53 (A), pp.60-69. (10.1016/j.envsci.2015.05.014)
- Shirani, F. 2015. "I'm bringing back a dead art": continuity and change in the lives of young fathers. Families, Relationships and Societies 4 (2), pp.253-266. (10.1332/204674315X14230598040336)
- Shirani, F. et al. 2015. I’m not a tree hugger, I’m just like you’: changing perceptions of sustainable lifestyles. Environmental Politics 24 (1), pp.57-74. (10.1080/09644016.2014.959247)
2014
- Butler, C. et al., 2014. Examining the dynamics of energy demand through a biographical lens. Nature and Culture 9 (2), pp.164-182. (10.3167/nc.2014.090204)
2013
- Shirani, F. J. 2013. The spectre of the wheezy dad: Masculinity, fatherhood and ageing. Sociology 47 (5), pp.1104-1119. (10.1177/0038038512469063)
- Shirani, F. J. et al. 2013. Disconnected futures: exploring notions of ethical responsibility in energy practices. Local Environment: The International Journal of Justice and Sustainability 18 (4), pp.455-468. (10.1080/13549839.2013.779236)
2012
- Shirani, F. 2012. The centrality of social capital: concepts of community in the era of the Big Society. Working paper. Cardiff: Cardiff University.
- Shirani, F. J. , Henwood, K. L. and Coltart, C. 2012. Meeting the challenges of intensive parenting culture: gender, risk management and the moral parent. Sociology 46 (1), pp.25-40. (10.1177/0038038511416169)
- Shirani, F. J. , Henwood, K. L. and Coltart, C. 2012. "Why aren't you at work?": negotiating economic models of fathering identity. Fathering: A Journal of Theory, Research, and Practice about Men as Fathers 10 (3), pp.274-290. (10.3149/fth.1003.274)
2011
- Henwood, K. L. , Shirani, F. J. and Finn, M. 2011. “So you think we've moved, changed, the representation got more what?” Methodological and analytical reflections on visual (photo-elicitation) methods used in the Men as Fathers study. In: Reavey, P. ed. Visual methods in psychology: using and interpreting images in qualitative research. Hove: Psychology Press. , pp.330-345.
- Henwood, K. L. , Shirani, F. J. and Procter, J. K. N. 2011. On delayed fatherhood: the social and subjective “logics” at work in men’s lives (a UK study). In: Beets, G. , Schippers, J. J. and te Velde, E. R. eds. The future of motherhood in western societies: late fertility and its consequences. Dordrecht: Springer. , pp.159-176. (10.1007/978-90-481-8969-4_11)
- Shirani, F. J. 2011. The right time for fatherhood? a temporal study of men's transition to parenthood. PhD Thesis , Cardiff University.
- Shirani, F. J. and Henwood, K. L. 2011. Continuity and change in a qualitative longitudinal study of fatherhood: relevance without responsibility. International Journal of Social Research Methodology 14 (1), pp.17-29. (10.1080/13645571003690876)
- Shirani, F. J. and Henwood, K. L. 2011. Taking one day at a time: temporal experiences in the context of unexpected life course transitions. Time & Society 20 (1), pp.49-68. (10.1177/0961463X10374906)
2010
- Shirani, F. J. 2010. Retrospective reflections on the timing of fatherhood. Presented at: ESRC Fertility Pathways Network Meeting London, UK 8 - 9 March 2010.
- Shirani, F. J. 2010. Researcher continuity and change in a qualitative longitudinal study: The impact of personal characteristics.. Presented at: Timescapes Conference: The Craft of QLL Research Cardiff, Wales 20 January 2010.
- Henwood, K. L. , Shirani, F. J. and Coltart, C. 2010. Fathers and financial risk-taking during the economic downturn: insights from a QLL study of men's identities-in-the-making. 21st Century Society: Journal of the Academy of Social Sciences 5 (2), pp.137-147. (10.1080/17450141003783355)
- Shirani, F. J. 2010. Researcher change and continuity in a qualitative longitudinal study: the impact of personal characteristics. In: Shirani, F. J. and Weller, S. eds. Conducting Qualitative Longitudinal Research: Fieldwork Experiences. Timescapes Working Paper Series Vol. 2.Leeds: University of Leeds. , pp.49-59.
- Shirani, F. J. and Weller, S. 2010. Introduction: researchers' experiences. In: Shirani, F. J. and Weller, S. eds. Conducting Qualitative Longitudinal Research: Fieldwork Experiences. Timescapes Working Paper Series Vol. 2.Leeds: University of Leeds. , pp.4-6.
2009
- Shirani, F. J. 2009. To and from involved fatherhood: A QLL study. Presented at: European Sociological Association 9th Annual Conference Lisbon, Portugal 2 - 5 September 2009.
- Shirani, F. , Henwood, K. L. and Coltart, C. 2009. Men’s experiences of antenatal services: findings from the ‘Men as Fathers’ Study. Project Report.[Online].Cardiff: Cardiff University. Available at: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/socsi/research/researchprojects/menasfathers/publications/antenatalreport.pdf.
- Shirani, F. , Yang, P. and Mannay, D. 2009. Postgraduate café papers 2009. Working paper. Cardiff: Cardiff University.
- Shirani, F. J. , Yang, P. and Mannay, D. 2009. Adhering to the conventional sequence: men’s accounts of first-time fatherhood. Working paper. Cardiff: Cardiff School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University. Available at: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/socsi/resources/wp126.pdf.
2008
- Henwood, K. L. , Finn, M. and Shirani, F. J. 2008. Use of visual methods to explore paternal identities in historical time and social change: reflections from the ‘men-as-fathers’ project. Qualitative Researcher 9 , pp.2-5.
- Elliott, E. , Shirani, F. and Williams, G. H. 2008. Final report on the sustainability and legacy of Healthy Living Centres in Wales. A report to the Department for Public Health and Health Professions. Working paper. Cardiff: Cardiff University. Available at: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/socsi/resources/wp-115.pdf.
- Khan, A. et al. 2008. "The prawn sandwich will live forever”: learning to innovate in commercial sandwich production. Working paper. Cardiff: Cardiff School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University. Available at: http://learningaswork.cf.ac.uk/outputs/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20ESRC%20TLRP%20Learning%20as%20Work%20Research%20Paper%20No%2017.pdf.
Articles
- Shirani, F. et al. 2026. “I can’t imagine living anywhere else”: A qualitative longitudinal view of low carbon home residence. Housing, Theory and Society 43 (3), pp.279-295. (10.1080/14036096.2025.2559106)
- Groves, C. et al., 2026. Opening reflexive spaces: Maps as an anticipatory tool in expert interviews. Qualitative Research (10.1177/14687941251406038)
- O'Sullivan, K. et al. 2026. Understanding residents’ experiences of home, health, and wellbeing in new and novel low carbon homes. Housing Studies 41 (1), pp.234-254. (10.1080/02673037.2025.2453015)
- O'Sullivan, K. et al. 2025. Who pays for carbon dioxide removal? Public perceptions of risk and fairness of enhanced rock weathering in the UK.. Humanities & Social Sciences Communications 12 1010. (10.1057/s41599-025-05384-9)
- Hale, R. et al. 2025. ‘It's Nice to Have a Bit of Fresh Air’: Residents’ and Housing Professionals’ Interpretations of Air Regimes in Active Homes. Energy and Buildings
- Shirani, F. et al. 2024. Going backwards? A temporal perspective of what constitutes improvement in domestic heating transitions. Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy 20 (1) 2347075. (10.1080/15487733.2024.2347075)
- Roberts, E. et al. 2024. Attuning to ambiguous atmospheres: currents of air, discourse and time in a steel town. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers 49 (3) e12631. (10.1111/tran.12631)
- Cox, E. , Shirani, F. and Rouse, P. 2024. Voices from the algorithm: Large Language Models in social research. Energy Research and Social Science 113 103559. (10.1016/j.erss.2024.103559)
- Thomas, G. H. et al. 2024. A relational approach to characterizing householder perceptions of disruption in heat transitions. Nature Energy 9 , pp.570-576. (10.1038/s41560-024-01506-w)
- Groves, C. et al. 2024. Where is ‘the local’ in localization? Exploring socio-technical and spatial visions of energy system decarbonization in South Wales. Energy Research and Social Science 107 103330. (10.1016/j.erss.2023.103330)
- O'Sullivan, K. et al. 2023. Identity, place narrative and biophilic urban development: Connecting the past, present and future for sustainable liveable cities. Frontiers in Sustainable Cities 5 1139029. (10.3389/frsc.2023.1139029)
- Groves, C. et al. 2023. Putting visions in their place: Responsible research and innovation for energy system decarbonization. Journal of Responsible Innovation 10 (1) 2149954. (10.1080/23299460.2022.2149954)
- Shirani, F. et al. 2022. From active houses to active homes: understanding resident experiences of transformational design and social innovation. Energies 15 (19) 7441. (10.3390/en15197441)
- Shirani, F. et al. 2022. Transformational innovation in home energy: How developers imagine and engage with future residents of low carbon homes in the United Kingdom. Energy Research and Social Science 91 102743.
- Shirani, F. et al. 2022. Living in an active home: household dynamics and unintended consequences. Buildings and Cities 3 (1), pp.589–604. (10.5334/bc.216)
- Cherry, C. et al. 2022. A personas-based approach to deliberating local decarbonisation scenarios: findings and methodological insights. Energy Research and Social Science 87 102455. (10.1016/j.erss.2021.102455)
- Groves, C. et al. 2021. The future is flexible? Exploring expert visions of energy system decarbonisation. Futures 130 102753. (10.1016/j.futures.2021.102753)
- Shirani, F. et al. 2021. ‘Who cares about valley people?’ – lived experiences of energy vulnerability in the South Wales valleys. Journal of Poverty and Social Justice 29 (1), pp.103-120. (10.1332/175982720X16074511160827)
- Groves, C. et al. 2021. A missing link? Capabilities, the ethics of care, and the relational context of energy justice. Journal of Human Development and Capabilities 22 (2), pp.249-269. (10.1080/19452829.2021.1887105)
- Groves, C. et al. 2020. ‘The bills are a brick wall’: narratives of energy vulnerability, poverty and adaptation in South Wales. Energy Research and Social Science 70 101777. (10.1016/j.erss.2020.101777)
- Shirani, F. et al. 2020. 'I'm the smart meter': Perceptions and experiences of smart technology amongst vulnerable consumers.. Energy Policy 144 111637. (10.1016/j.enpol.2020.111637)
- Shirani, F. et al. 2020. What counts as success? Wider implications of achieving planning permission in a low-impact ecovillage. Environmental Values 29 (3), pp.339-359. (10.3197/096327119X15579936382536)
- Shirani, F. et al. 2017. Critical moments? Life transitions and energy biographies. Geoforum 86 , pp.86-92. (10.1016/j.geoforum.2017.09.006)
- Groves, C. et al. 2017. Why mundane energy use matters: Energy biographies, attachment and identity. Energy Research and Social Science 30 , pp.71-81. (10.1016/j.erss.2017.06.016)
- Henwood, K. , Groves, C. and Shirani, F. 2016. Relationality, entangled practices, and psychosocial exploration of intergenerational dynamics in sustainable energy studies. Families, Relationships and Societies 5 (3), pp.393-410. (10.1332/204674316X147584383416945)
- Shirani, F. et al. 2016. Asking about the future: methodological insights from energy biographies. International Journal of Social Research Methodology 19 (4), pp.429-444. (10.1080/13645579.2015.1029208)
- Groves, C. et al. 2016. Invested in unsustainability? On the psychosocial patterning of engagement in practices. Environmental Values 25 (3), pp.309-328. (10.3197/096327116X14598445991466)
- Groves, C. et al. 2016. Energy biographies: narrative genres, lifecourse transitions and practice change. Science, Technology, and Human Values 41 (3), pp.483-508. (10.1177/0162243915609116)
- Groves, C. et al. 2016. The grit in the oyster: using energy biographies to question socio-technical imaginaries of 'smartness'. Journal of Responsible Innovation 3 (1), pp.4-25. (10.1080/23299460.2016.1178897)
- Parkhill, K. et al., 2015. "We are a community but that takes a certain amount of energy": Exploring shared visions, social action and resilience in place-based community-led initiatives. Environmental Science & Policy 53 (A), pp.60-69. (10.1016/j.envsci.2015.05.014)
- Shirani, F. 2015. "I'm bringing back a dead art": continuity and change in the lives of young fathers. Families, Relationships and Societies 4 (2), pp.253-266. (10.1332/204674315X14230598040336)
- Shirani, F. et al. 2015. I’m not a tree hugger, I’m just like you’: changing perceptions of sustainable lifestyles. Environmental Politics 24 (1), pp.57-74. (10.1080/09644016.2014.959247)
- Butler, C. et al., 2014. Examining the dynamics of energy demand through a biographical lens. Nature and Culture 9 (2), pp.164-182. (10.3167/nc.2014.090204)
- Shirani, F. J. 2013. The spectre of the wheezy dad: Masculinity, fatherhood and ageing. Sociology 47 (5), pp.1104-1119. (10.1177/0038038512469063)
- Shirani, F. J. et al. 2013. Disconnected futures: exploring notions of ethical responsibility in energy practices. Local Environment: The International Journal of Justice and Sustainability 18 (4), pp.455-468. (10.1080/13549839.2013.779236)
- Shirani, F. J. , Henwood, K. L. and Coltart, C. 2012. Meeting the challenges of intensive parenting culture: gender, risk management and the moral parent. Sociology 46 (1), pp.25-40. (10.1177/0038038511416169)
- Shirani, F. J. , Henwood, K. L. and Coltart, C. 2012. "Why aren't you at work?": negotiating economic models of fathering identity. Fathering: A Journal of Theory, Research, and Practice about Men as Fathers 10 (3), pp.274-290. (10.3149/fth.1003.274)
- Shirani, F. J. and Henwood, K. L. 2011. Continuity and change in a qualitative longitudinal study of fatherhood: relevance without responsibility. International Journal of Social Research Methodology 14 (1), pp.17-29. (10.1080/13645571003690876)
- Shirani, F. J. and Henwood, K. L. 2011. Taking one day at a time: temporal experiences in the context of unexpected life course transitions. Time & Society 20 (1), pp.49-68. (10.1177/0961463X10374906)
- Henwood, K. L. , Shirani, F. J. and Coltart, C. 2010. Fathers and financial risk-taking during the economic downturn: insights from a QLL study of men's identities-in-the-making. 21st Century Society: Journal of the Academy of Social Sciences 5 (2), pp.137-147. (10.1080/17450141003783355)
- Henwood, K. L. , Finn, M. and Shirani, F. J. 2008. Use of visual methods to explore paternal identities in historical time and social change: reflections from the ‘men-as-fathers’ project. Qualitative Researcher 9 , pp.2-5.
Book sections
- O'Sullivan, K. et al. 2024. The role of Active Buildings in Smart Energy Imaginaries: Implications of living well in low carbon homes and neighbourhoods. In: Golubchikov, O. and Yenneti, K. eds. Smart Cities, Energy and Climate: Governing Cities for a Low‐Carbon Future. Wiley. , pp.93-110. (10.1002/9781118641156.ch6)
- Henwood, K. and Shirani, F. 2023. Researching the temporal. In: Cooper, H. ed. APA Handbook of Research Methods in Psychology: 2nd Edition. Vol. 2, APA Handbooks in Psychology American Psychological Association
- O'Sullivan, K. et al. 2022. Why active buildings? Realising the potentials of energy networked homes: a social scientific perspective. In: Vahidinasab, V. and Behnam Mohammadi-Ivatloo, eds. Active Building Energy Systems. Green Energy and Technology , pp.25-49. (10.1007/978-3-030-79742-3_2)
- Pidgeon, N. et al. 2021. ‘A little self-sufficient town close to the beach’: local energy system transformation through the lens of place and public things. In: Webb, J. , Wade, F. and Tingey, M. eds. Research Handbook on Energy and Society. Edward Elgar. , pp.299-316.
- Henwood, K. , Shirani, F. and Finn, M. 2020. ‘So you think we’ve moved, changed, the representation got more what?’: methodological and analytical reflections on visual (photo-elicitation) methods used in the men-as-fathers study. In: Reavey, P. ed. A Handbook of Visual Methods in Psychology: Using and Interpreting Images in Qualitative Research 2nd Edition. Routledge. , pp.555-571. (10.4324/9781351032063-3732)
- Henwood, K. , Shirani, F. and Groves, C. 2017. Using photographs in interviews: When we lack the words to say what practice means. In: Flick, U. ed. The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Data Collection. SAGE Publications. , pp.599-614.
- Shirani, F. et al. 2016. Living in the future: environmental concerns, parenting, and low-impact lifestyles. In: Ansell, N. , Klocker, N. and Skelton, T. eds. Geographies of Global Issues: Change and Threat. Vol. 8, Geographies of Children and Young People Singapore: Springer. , pp.1-20. (10.1007/978-981-4585-95-8_4-1)
- Henwood, K. L. , Shirani, F. J. and Finn, M. 2011. “So you think we've moved, changed, the representation got more what?” Methodological and analytical reflections on visual (photo-elicitation) methods used in the Men as Fathers study. In: Reavey, P. ed. Visual methods in psychology: using and interpreting images in qualitative research. Hove: Psychology Press. , pp.330-345.
- Henwood, K. L. , Shirani, F. J. and Procter, J. K. N. 2011. On delayed fatherhood: the social and subjective “logics” at work in men’s lives (a UK study). In: Beets, G. , Schippers, J. J. and te Velde, E. R. eds. The future of motherhood in western societies: late fertility and its consequences. Dordrecht: Springer. , pp.159-176. (10.1007/978-90-481-8969-4_11)
- Shirani, F. J. 2010. Researcher change and continuity in a qualitative longitudinal study: the impact of personal characteristics. In: Shirani, F. J. and Weller, S. eds. Conducting Qualitative Longitudinal Research: Fieldwork Experiences. Timescapes Working Paper Series Vol. 2.Leeds: University of Leeds. , pp.49-59.
- Shirani, F. J. and Weller, S. 2010. Introduction: researchers' experiences. In: Shirani, F. J. and Weller, S. eds. Conducting Qualitative Longitudinal Research: Fieldwork Experiences. Timescapes Working Paper Series Vol. 2.Leeds: University of Leeds. , pp.4-6.
Conferences
- Shirani, F. J. 2010. Retrospective reflections on the timing of fatherhood. Presented at: ESRC Fertility Pathways Network Meeting London, UK 8 - 9 March 2010.
- Shirani, F. J. 2010. Researcher continuity and change in a qualitative longitudinal study: The impact of personal characteristics.. Presented at: Timescapes Conference: The Craft of QLL Research Cardiff, Wales 20 January 2010.
- Shirani, F. J. 2009. To and from involved fatherhood: A QLL study. Presented at: European Sociological Association 9th Annual Conference Lisbon, Portugal 2 - 5 September 2009.
Monographs
- Shirani, F. , Henwood, K. and Pidgeon, N. 2025. Resident experiences of active homes: Implications for current and future developments. Project Report.N/A.
- Henwood, K. et al. 2023. Living well in low carbon homes project report. Project Report.Self-publish.
- Shirani, F. et al. 2021. Mine water heating in Caerau: Thoughts from local residents. 2020 Report. Project Report.FLEXIS.
- Groves, C. et al. 2019. Better energy futures: Developing a framework for addressing fuel poverty poverty. Project Report.Cardiff: Cardiff University.
- Shirani, F. et al. 2018. UK smart living demonstrator (better energy futures) – research report. Cardiff: Cardiff University.
- Henwood, K. et al. 2016. Energy Biographies Research Report. Project Report.Cardiff: .Energy Biographies.
- Shirani, F. 2012. The centrality of social capital: concepts of community in the era of the Big Society. Working paper. Cardiff: Cardiff University.
- Shirani, F. , Henwood, K. L. and Coltart, C. 2009. Men’s experiences of antenatal services: findings from the ‘Men as Fathers’ Study. Project Report.[Online].Cardiff: Cardiff University. Available at: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/socsi/research/researchprojects/menasfathers/publications/antenatalreport.pdf.
- Shirani, F. , Yang, P. and Mannay, D. 2009. Postgraduate café papers 2009. Working paper. Cardiff: Cardiff University.
- Shirani, F. J. , Yang, P. and Mannay, D. 2009. Adhering to the conventional sequence: men’s accounts of first-time fatherhood. Working paper. Cardiff: Cardiff School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University. Available at: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/socsi/resources/wp126.pdf.
- Elliott, E. , Shirani, F. and Williams, G. H. 2008. Final report on the sustainability and legacy of Healthy Living Centres in Wales. A report to the Department for Public Health and Health Professions. Working paper. Cardiff: Cardiff University. Available at: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/socsi/resources/wp-115.pdf.
- Khan, A. et al. 2008. "The prawn sandwich will live forever”: learning to innovate in commercial sandwich production. Working paper. Cardiff: Cardiff School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University. Available at: http://learningaswork.cf.ac.uk/outputs/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20ESRC%20TLRP%20Learning%20as%20Work%20Research%20Paper%20No%2017.pdf.
Thesis
- Shirani, F. J. 2011. The right time for fatherhood? a temporal study of men's transition to parenthood. PhD Thesis , Cardiff University.
Research
Current projects
Behavioural Research UK
Informed by Experience
Living Well in Low Carbon Homes
Previous projects
Living Well in Low Carbon Homes (Active Building Centre Research Programme) (2020-2023)
Network headroom, Engineering Upgrades and Public Acceptance (NEUPA)
FLEXIS (2016-2023)
Energy Biographies (2011-2015) - http://energybiographies.org/
Connected Communities Review (2011)
Timescapes (2007-2011) - http://www.timescapes.leeds.ac.uk/
Learning as Work (2007)
Teaching
I have experience of supervising undergraduate dissertation students and am happy to hear from students looking to undertake projects related to my areas of research interests.
Biography
Biography
PhD awarded January 2011, Cardiff University.
Contact Details
Research themes
Specialisms
- qualitative research methods
- qualitative longitudinal research
- housing
- creative methods
- Fuel Poverty