Australian Energy Social Science Workshop 2026 Day1: Policy Discussion

Link to join online:

https://anu.zoom.us/j/81589857940?pwd=7an1MRbpx3czrVMbAb6DaN80vWGdfB.1

(Webinar ID: 815 8985 7940, Passcode: 803763).

Designed to support informed dialogue on policy and implementation challenges, this event will consist of presentations, panel discussions and audience Q&A. 

Who should attend and why?

·         Energy and social science researchers

·         Public servants and policy advisors from government and peak bodies

·         Industry and applied research practitioners

·         Community and stakeholder representatives, and

·         Early-career professionals interested in energy transitions.

This policy discussion is useful for people who would like to:

·         Understand current energy transition issues and ideas

·         Engage directly with cross-sector expertise and perspectives

·         Contribute to national conversations on equitable and effective energy transitions

·         Access policy-relevant social insights and real-world case discussions, and

·         Build connections across research, policy, and practice communities.

Agenda

2-2:15pm – Acknowledgment of Country, welcome, and setting the scene for the workshop.

Dr Phillipa Watson, ANU Centre for Energy Systems, convenor of the Workshop organising committee.

Panel 1 - Social research in energy research planning, what is needed

2:15 - 3.30pm

This session will reflect on social energy research in Australia, it current and aimed for roles, what is planned and where opportunities remain to strengthen its contribution.

Facilitator: Associate Professor Kim Blackmore, ANU Centre for Energy Systems

Panel members:

• Emeritus Professor Ken Baldwin, Research School of Physics, ANU

• Lynne Gallagher, Board Member, Australian Energy Regulator

• Jacquie Crawshaw, Policy Director, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)

Professor Baldwin will begin the panel by sharing information about Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) Australian Energy Transition Research Plan to set the scene in relation to thinking about social energy research in energy research planning.

Afternoon tea

3.30-3.45 pm

Panel 2 -Social research and its place in the energy systems transition

3.45 - 5.05 pm

Our second panel discussion will focus on social research and its place in the energy system’s transition – examples of where it has helped, where it's been missing, what possibilities it offers and where it has fallen short. This will step through examples of research and its impacts.

Facilitator: Dr Wendy Conway-Lamb, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Centre for Deliberative Democracy & Centre for Environmental Governance, University of Canberra.

Panel members:

• Jana Farook, Senior Policy Advisor, ACT Council for Social Service

• Dr Kimberley Crofts, Manager Consumer Advocacy, Energy Consumers Australia

• Dr Katie Hepworth, National Policy Director, Electrical Trades Union

5:05-5:15 summarise and close.

Aligned with ANU Energy Update 2026

The Australian Energy Social Science Panel Discussion will take place after the ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions (ICEDS) Energy Update, which is being held on the morning of 17 September 2026. This alignment enables the AESS Workshop and the ANU ICEDS Energy Update participants to connect and offers useful coverage of Australia’s energy transition, from systems and technologies through to people, policy, and lived experience. 

More information

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If you require accessibility accommodations or a visitor Personal Emergency Evacuation plan please contact the event organiser at energysystems@anu.edu.au.