7th International Summer Academy on Technology Studies

Deutschlandsberg, Austria, August 27-31

The Inter-University Research Centre for Technology, Work and Culture (IFZ) in Graz, Austria, is organising the seventh "International Summer Academy on Technology Studies", taking place at the Castle of Deutschlandsberg, near Graz, in August.

The Summer Academy

will focus on the topic "Transforming the Energy System: The Role of Institutions, Interests & Ideas".

Aims and Perspective

The aim of the Summer Academy is to explore strategies and limitations of an actively shaped transformation process in the energy system, in particular against the background of social and environmental sustainability goals.

It will provide an opportunity for bringing together theoretical analysis from the perspective of social studies of technology with a discussion of practical policy implications.

In addition to that it will also raise some critical questions concerning the role of research in the context of normatively shaped transition processes.

Call for Papers

Participants are encouraged to present a paper related to one of the following conference topics:

(1) Institutions - the Challenges of Meso- and Macro-Level Transition

Overcoming system inertia and lock-in; institutional arrangements of governance, policy making and regulation; the role of regional institutions in multi-level governance

(2) Interests - the Negotiation of Goals and the Alignment of Actors

The role of interests and values in the transformation of the energy system; the positioning of sustainability goals; democratisation and empowerment; processes of coalition formation

(3) Ideas - the Social Dynamics of Visions & Expectations

The role of visions and expectations in governance; dynamics of hype and disappointment; the potential impact of foresight and scenario-development

Please submit an abstract of 300 to 500 words and a maximum of one page on your work and research background.

The deadline for submission is 11 May. You will be notified of acceptance by the end of May.

Conference Design

Each day of the academy will typically consist of a morning session with two keynote speakers and an afternoon session with presentations by participants as well as the discussion of cross-cutting themes.

Furthermore, one afternoon will be reserved for the presentation of regional initiatives in the energy sector.

The language of the conference is English.

Conference Fee: EUR 250

The fee covers the conference proceedings and materials, as well as social events during the week.

In justified cases a reduction of this fee may be considered.