Energy Social Science
About
The Team Energy Social Science examines actors’ preferences and behaviors in the heating, mobility and electricity sectors as well as regarding green hydrogen in collaboration with other disciplines.
Research Topics
The team uses qualitative and quantitative social science research methods as well as computer-aided simulations. The methods used are continuously being advanced within the team. A high degree of social acceptance regarding the energy transition is a central condition for a successful transformation of the energy system, with acceptance relating to energy sources, technologies, but also political incentive instruments for implementation or distributional consequences. At the same time, the transformation of the energy system has recently been increasingly accompanied by extreme events (e.g., droughts, floods, war in Ukraine), which can underpin or undermine the acceptance of the energy transition. Against this dynamic background, the consideration of extreme events plays a special role in the acceptance analyses of the team. We address the results of our theory-based empirical research activities to science, business, and politics. They are intended to serve decision-makers in politics and business as a basis for informed decisions.
Team Members
TECMON – Technology Monitoring 2009 to 2022
- The survey series TECMON examine public’s acceptance of issues that are central to the German “Energiewende”
- Cumulative cross-sectional survey
- Core topics & varying focus topics
- Including green hydrogen & bioeconomy
- Computer-assisted telephone survey
- Dual-frame approach (Gabler-Häder 2009)
- German resident population
- 1000 to 2065 persons
- 18 years and older
Jülich Citizen Science Center for Energy - Shaping science together!
What is our mission?
The Jülich Citizen Science Center for Energy is a non-commercial project that aims to promote the exchange between science and society on future energy systems. Through citizen science, we offer all interested parties the opportunity to participate in current research projects as citizen scientists, to get to know scientific methods and to develop them further. We are also looking for participants for experiments, group discussions and other social science studies. The knowledge gained helps to develop scientifically sound recommendations for action for decision-makers in politics and business.
What do we offer?
- Participation projects: Become part of exciting research projects in the field of energy system analysis. Exchange ideas with scientists and other citizens to shape research together.
- Various research projects: The activities focus both on content-related questions (e.g., What do you think our energy system of the future should look like?) and on methodological aspects (e.g., How can we improve the quality of surveys?).
- Various event formats: Depending on requirements, we rely on formats such as focus groups, world cafés, citizen dialogs or individual interviews to actively and meaningfully involve our citizen scientists. Our events take place either in the traditional on-site format (e.g., in Jülich, Düren, Cologne, Aachen) or online in a virtual space.
- Reimbursement of expenses: We pay you an expense allowance for your participation in our events.
Who are we looking for?
Citizen scientists and participants for experiments, interviews or other social science studies. You should be at least 18 years old and be able to communicate well in German (at least language level B1) - regardless of whether you support, oppose or are neutral about the energy transition.
Why take part?
As a citizen scientist, you make a valuable contribution to research and play an active role in shaping the science of tomorrow. At the same time, you will learn how research works, contribute your perspectives to important future issues and help to further develop research methods.
As a participant in social science studies, you will help to gain important insights into the phenomena being researched and make it possible to provide decision-makers with empirically supported recommendations for action.
Citizen scientists and participants in social science studies receive an expense allowance for each event attended.
How can I take part?
Your registration at the Jülich Citizen Science Center for Energy is non-binding and can be revoked at any time.
After your registration, you will receive invitations from us for scientific research projects. If you cannot or do not wish to take part in an event, you can simply ignore the invitation.
The button below will take you to the German registration form. On request, we will inform you at any time about what data we have stored about you and will delete, block or update it at your request.
We would be delighted if you support social science research by taking part. Together we can achieve great things!
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Hawal Shamon by e-mail (h.shamon@fz-juelich.de) or telephone (+49 160 92172835).
What is citizen science?
The term "citizen science" refers to the active participation of citizens in scientific research processes. Citizen scientists contribute their perspectives and knowledge and help to make science more practical and relevant. This involves not only collecting and analyzing data, but also the joint development of research questions and the interpretation of results.
Why do we need a Jülich Citizen Science Center for Energy?
Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2) conducts unbiased research into possible future energy systems in the context of the energy transition. This is done using an interdisciplinary approach that takes into account the networking of energy technologies with economic, ecological and social systems and thus places security of supply, economic efficiency, social acceptance and environmental protection at the center of the scientific analyses.
The energy transition is associated with far-reaching changes that are likely to affect the population directly or indirectly. At the very least, the population will be required to accept changes in their living environment, such as the new wind turbine on their doorstep. However, the population is sometimes also expected to make a much greater contribution by investing in renewable technologies and/or adapting their lifestyle to a renewable energy supply and an extensive circular economy.
Against this background, it is crucial to involve citizens in research into possible future energy systems at an early stage. The non-commercial Jülich Citizen Science Center for Energy offers a platform where interested parties - regardless of their educational background and attitude towards the energy transition - can actively participate in the scientific research process. This can be done either as a citizen scientist or as a participant in experiments, interviews and other social science studies.
Last Modified: 25.04.2025