Smart, Flexible, and Fair? Findings from qualitative research using intersectionality to develop inclusive smart energy markets in the UK – A Talk by Nickhil Sharma

About the Talk:
What are the risks of leaving certain people behind in the Net Zero transition?
What lessons are emerging from the transition in the UK and the EU?
Why should we care about social justice implications of the energy transition in India?
This presentation will explore the challenges and potential risks associated with the implementation of smart energy technologies, emphasising the importance of an inclusive transition that addresses the needs of vulnerable households facing fuel poverty. It will highlight the findings of a study with key organisations in the UK energy sector which incorporated intersectional tools derived from Black feminist thought, particularly the Web of Identities, to examine how various forms of oppression intersect and impact individuals’ lived experiences of energy.
Through qualitative methods, including workshops and self-reflection interviews, the research highlighted the role of intersectionality in enhancing understanding and promoting inclusivity in the transition to smart, flexible energy systems. The three-phase case studies conducted in late 2023 culminated in each organisation developing guidelines for incorporating intersectionality into their practices. The intersectional approach yielded several benefits: visualising the impact of identities on energy practices, identifying knowledge gaps, assessing shortcomings in flexibility solutions, and generating exploratory questions for co-design with diverse communities.
This presentation will also initiate a discussion on the social justice implications of the Net Zero transition in India, and why it is crucial to think inclusively as we decarbonise.

About the Speaker:
Nickhil Sharma, a PhD Researcher at the Science, Society & Sustainability (3S) Group, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom, investigates smart energy technologies and their social justice implications through the European Union-funded GECKO Project. Collaborating with a distribution network company, an independent research and advocacy group, and a low-carbon technology social enterprise, Nickhil aims to identify marginalised households in the UK’s energy transition and explore how intersectionality, rooted in Black Feminist thought, can enhance inclusivity. His methods are inspired by and rooted in science and technology studies (STS), sustainability transitions, and feminist/anti-racist critical theories. Prior to his PhD, Nickhil has worked in academia, industry and the not-for-profit sector, in India and Europe, and his expertise lies in stakeholder management, workshop facilitation, and business development.