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Gareth Thomas

Dr Gareth Thomas

(he/him)

Post Doctoral Research Fellow

School of Social Sciences

Overview

My research focuses on issues surrounding the social acceptability of low carbon energy transitions, energy and infrastructure in everyday life, and the role of the role of place, cultural meaning and emotion in shaping sociotechnical decisions. I have particular expertise in deindustrialization, energy justice, and relational approaches to consuption and infrastructure acceptability. A (predominantly) qualitative researcher by training, I specialise in affectively engaging modes of public deliberation, on and offline ethnography, and biographical interviewing. 

I talk to people about energy. Then write about it.  

Publication

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

Adrannau llyfrau

Erthyglau

Gosodiad

Monograffau

Research

Research topics and related papers

I am currently a member of the School of Psychology's  Understanding Risk Group, working on the EPSRC funded project CO2  Injection and Storage- short and long term behaviour at different spatial  scales. This project is examining risks associated with CO2 injection and storage, a technology that aims to reduce atmospheric CO2 emissions by  capturing them at power plants and other industrial sources and injecting them deep underground, thus preventing them  from contributing to climate change.  Researchers from the Understanding Risk Group will be conducting deliberative  workshops to examine how trust and wider values shape how experts and   members  of the public perceive the risks and benefits associated with CO2 injection and  storage.

In previous work I have provided qualitative analysis for  Cardiff's Energy Biographies Project, in particular focusing on how  psycho-social experiences of practices and interdependency texture subjects  constructions of waste in everyday life. My PhD focused on UK innovation policy,  specifically in relation to hydrogen energy technologies. Drawing insights from  science and technologies studies and policy studies it developed an  interpretive case study account of the role of ideas and power in innovation  governance processes.

Biography

Postgraduate education

PhD, School of Social Policy, University of  Birmingham (EPSRC funded)