At ARU, the Global Sustainability Institute (GSI) has developed a distinctive international reputation for research exploring the social, behavioural and policy dimensions of energy transitions.
Through collaborations with governments at local, national and international level, industry partners, local authorities, community organisations and international research networks, GSI researchers help ensure that the transition to clean energy is informed not only by technological innovation but also by an understanding of how people, organisations and societies engage with energy systems. The projects below demonstrate how ARU's research has influenced clean energy policy, technological development, governance and practice at local, national and European levels.
SHARED GREEN DEAL
Since 2022, ARU has led the €5 million SHARED GREEN DEAL project, a major European initiative involving 22 partner organisations including universities, research institutes, local government bodies, businesses and civil society organisations across Europe. The project supports the implementation of the European Green Deal through a programme of social experiments focused on eight policy areas, including clean energy. By working directly with communities, policymakers and practitioners, SHARED GREEN DEAL generates practical evidence about how social and behavioural change can support climate and energy transitions. The project's findings are being used to inform local and regional implementation of Green Deal policies across Europe, helping decision-makers understand which interventions are most effective in encouraging sustainable energy practices and low-carbon lifestyles.
Energy-SHIFTS
Between 2019 and 2021, ARU led the €1 million Energy-SHIFTS project, bringing together four leading European research institutes and a network of policy, industry and communications partners. Working with more than 100 researchers across Europe, the project examined topics including renewable energy, energy efficiency, smart consumption and sustainable transport. Its primary aim was to strengthen the role of social sciences and humanities within European energy policymaking. By connecting policymakers with expertise on citizen behaviour, social impacts and public engagement, Energy-SHIFTS helped ensure that energy strategies better reflected the needs and experiences of energy users and communities. The project generated evidence and recommendations that informed energy policy discussions at European level and contributed to more socially informed approaches to decarbonisation.
EnergyREV
ARU contributes to the UK-wide EnergyREV (Energy Revolution) programme, a collaborative research initiative exploring how smart local energy systems can help communities access cleaner, more affordable and more resilient energy services. Bringing together academics, industry partners, policymakers and local stakeholders, the programme investigates the social, governance and behavioural challenges associated with decentralised energy systems. The research supports the development of energy solutions that are not only technologically effective but also acceptable and accessible to local communities. By helping policymakers and practitioners understand how people interact with emerging energy systems, EnergyREV contributes to national efforts to accelerate delivery of net-zero objectives.
SHAPE-ENERGY (2017-2019)
From 2017 to 2019, ARU led the Horizon 2020-funded SHAPE-ENERGY project, which created a Europe-wide platform linking energy policymakers, industry leaders and social science researchers. The project was established to better integrate social sciences and humanities perspectives into energy research and decision-making. Through workshops, networks and policy engagement activities, SHAPE-ENERGY highlighted the importance of issues such as citizen participation, energy justice, consumer behaviour and public engagement in the energy transition. The project helped shape subsequent European research and policy initiatives by demonstrating the value of interdisciplinary approaches to energy governance and sustainability transitions.
EEIST: Economics of Energy Innovation and System Transition
Since 2020, ARU has contributed to Phase I of the EEIST project, an international research collaboration focused on helping governments accelerate low-carbon innovation and technological change. Working with researchers, modellers and policy specialists from around the world, the project develops new approaches to understanding how investment, technology deployment and policy interventions interact during energy transitions. The outputs are designed specifically to support government decision-making by providing evidence on how policies can stimulate clean energy innovation and accelerate progress towards net-zero goals. EEIST contributes directly to national and international policy discussions on energy system transformation and climate action.
Energy PIECES
Between 2018 and 2021, ARU led the Energy-PIECES project (Energy Policy Insights from Early Career Events and Secondments). This created structured opportunities for doctoral students and early-career researchers in the social sciences and humanities to work directly with organisations involved in energy policy and governance. Through placements and secondments within policy-facing organisations, the project strengthened links between academic research and practical decision-making. By helping future researchers engage with real-world energy challenges and policy processes, Energy-PIECES contributed to capacity building within the energy sector and supported the development of more socially informed energy policies across the UK and Europe.
Energy SHINES
During 2023 and 2024, ARU's Global Sustainability Institute led Energy SHINES (Energy Social Sciences and Humanities Insights for Non-Energy Sectors) in partnership with the University of Cambridge and funded by the UK Energy Research Centre. The project worked with organisations including the UK Government, NHS, Yorkshire Water, Cambridgeshire County Council and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to address energy-related challenges in sectors such as healthcare, water management, housing and local government. A distinctive feature of the project was its focus on amplifying the expertise of women researchers in the social sciences and humanities. Through policy workshops, researcher placements and evidence-based recommendations, Energy SHINES helped partner organisations strengthen their approaches to net-zero transitions and sustainable energy use. In recognition of its impact, the project was highly commended in the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion in Sustainability category at the 2023 Green Gown Awards.
Last updated: October 2026
To request additions, corrections or changes to the information in these pages, please contact: Dr Zareen Bharucha: [email protected]. Please use the subject line ‘ARU SDG’.