Dr Noel Cass

Profile

I am currently working on three projects using qualitative research to investgate the public experiences of integrating Electric Vehicles and Solar PV into smart grids and everyday life, and exploring ‘excessive’ transport and home energy consumption. My most recent research diverted from my central energy and envronment themes, researching the end-of-life implications of organic electronics and a mobile app that was co-created with older people, to aid their social connectedness. Previously I have researched on practice theories of energy demand, energy demand lock-in through building design and standards, everyday mobility as social practice, mobility/transport and climate change policy and social exclusion, (particularly wind, marine, and small hydro) renewable energy technologies, nuclear waste management policy, energy and the built environment, and carbon capture and storage, especially with reference to public (deliberative) participation in public policy-making, with experience in conducting and analysing public engagement processes. I focus on qualitative research methods, primarily interviews and focus groups, but including facilitating citizens’ panels using multi-criteria decsion analysis. I have conducted much secondary data and literature review analysis. Theoretically I have used critical discourse analysis, cultural theory, sociology of the environment, STS, and practice theory, and have a particular interest in how social practice theories and socio-technical systems approaches intersect (or not), and the methodologcal implications of these different theoretical standpoints. My research has always been driven by a personal politics centred around socialism, anarchism, and environmental activism. 

Student education

I do not teach.

Research groups and institutes

• Social and Political Sciences