CurrentResearch:ResponsiveResearch

The need to provide quality evidence to shape a sustainable future energy system is time critical, especially with the energy policy landscape evolving rapidly in response to ambitious Government decarbonisation plans and a volatile geopolitical backdrop.

UKERC’s Responsive Research Theme combines a unique blend of novel interdisciplinary research methods, energy technology, policy expertise and targeted stakeholder engagement to make the latest evidence and knowledge available to decision-makers when they need it. This requires a responsive and collaborative approach to defining the research questions that are most relevant to policy, moving beyond traditional techniques that can lag behind the pace of policymaking.

The Responsive Research Theme builds on the long-standing achievements and track record of the (TPA), which has delivered evidence to address contentious issues in the energy policy arena since its conception in 2004.

The theme aims to continue this vital work, bringing evidence to bear on pressing issues such as how best to achieve clean power by 2030, reforming energy markets and building public consensus and support for decarbonisation efforts. It does this by:

• Reviewing and synthesising evidence to present to decision-making audiences in accessible and timely ways.
• Collaborating with a diverse mix of policy, industry, civil society and academic stakeholders to identify and respond to changing discourse and policy/decision-making needs.
• Utilising novel interdisciplinary research methods including economic modelling, energy systems modelling and expert survey and interview techniques.

The theme conducts a biennial consultation with a wide range of stakeholders to provide a rigorous, robust and impartial process for topic prioritisation and project selection based on criteria developed by the TPA. Topics are selected with the input of UKERC’s Advisory Board. An assessment of priorities for the public will then be conducted in collaboration with the Public Engagement Observatory.

Following the topic selection process, projects will be developed in coordination with an expert steering group to help ensure the relevance and impact of the outputs.