With a focus on energy systems, a research project is now underway at the Swedish School of Library and Information Science at the University of Borås, Sweden, with the goal to investigate how research itself contributes to a sustainable transition in the energy sector.

How does the Swedish School of Library and Information Science come into the picture when it comes to research on energy systems? Gustaf Nelhans, Associate Professor of Library and Information Science, explained the role of Swedish School of Library and Information Science in the project:
“The project aims to investigate how we can describe and evaluate the quality of research on energy systems, and how this research affects society. We are particularly interested in seeing how research contributes to a sustainable transition in the energy sector.”
“The project also includes a methodological portion where we develop techniques and methods for investigating research on research. It is based on a long-term interest in evaluation issues in the research of the project participants. Energy research is our case here.”
The project combine qualitative and quantitative approaches. The former include interviews and participatory observations with researchers, reviewers (who are also researchers), and project officers/analysts from the Swedish Energy Agency. This is combined with bibliometric analyses and quantitative content analyses of how to follow the traces of research both within the research community and in the surrounding society, for example in policy texts and news media.”
“Our research can be called transdisciplinary and means that we are not only interested in the impact of research in society, but rather in how research and society are ‘co-produced’”, he said.
The project can contribute to improving knowledge about energy systems research to make it more relevant and effective in supporting a sustainable transition. By providing policymakers and the public with a deeper understanding of the role of research, the project can facilitate the design of better policy and action. In addition, the project's holistic perspective can promote collaboration and knowledge exchange between different actors in society, which can accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy system.

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The project ENSURE is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency.

Read more about the project Ensure – The effects of energy and sustainability research: Quality, benefits and sustainable transition
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