Academics and community engagement in climate action
with Connor Smith
What can the role of academics be in participatory climate action? Connor Smith (University of Edinburgh, UK) discusses his experimental methodology for academics to reflect on their role in local climate action. We explore challenges, power dynamics, and the benefits of academic involvement in grassroots initiatives.
Episode based on the article
Participatory Climate Action: Reflections on Community Diversity and the Role of External Experts
By Connor Smith, Finlay Bain-Kerr, and Dan van der Horst
Podcast Version
About the Speaker
Connor Smith is a social scientist with a background in psychology and sustainability. As a research associate based at The University of Edinburgh, he conducts (primarily) qualitative research to explore thematically diverse elements of (just) energy transitions. More broadly, Connor is interested in any and all research that seeks to explore “what a good life looks like?” and “how the conditions that are needed to realise it can be met?”.