1. Engagement, Interaction & Influence Dr Sarah Parry Science, Technology & Innovation Studies University of Edinburgh Dr Joseph Murphy Sustainability Research Institute University of Leeds Funded by ESRC, DEFRA and the Scottish Government SUSTAINABLE RESEARCH GROUP PRACTICES Manchester Lancaster Edinburgh Essex Leeds Salford Cardiff Newcastle Queens University Belfast

2. Who Are We? A consortium of 9 universities – Manchester, Lancaster, Edinburgh, Essex, Leeds, Salford, Cardiff, Newcastle, Queens University Belfast. Funded by the ESRC with DEFRA and the Scottish Government. Management team: Alan Warde (Director), Dale Southerton, Andy McMeekin, Elizabeth Shove and Joseph Murphy. The group will run from 1 July 2010 for 3 years. SUSTAINABLE RESEARCH GROUP PRACTICES

3. 1.How and why do old practices and behaviours persist, become modified and fade? 2.How and why do new practices and behaviours emerge and spread? 3.How can more sustainable practices and behaviours be encouraged? SUSTAINABLE RESEARCH GROUP PRACTICES Our research is driven by three core questions

4. Changing eating habits – an international comparison Dale Southerton, RA (Manchester) Keeping cool: expectations and infrastructures Elizabeth Shove, Gordon Walker, Sam Brown (Lancaster) Consumers, markets and institutions – the case of bottled water Mark Harvey, RA (Essex) Living in zero carbon homes – an international comparison Simon Guy, RA (Manchester); Gordon Walker (Lancaster). Patterns of water: difference and change in domestic consumption Ben Anderson (Essex); Will Medd, RA (Lancaster) four fellowships add to this agenda.

5. Engagement, interaction and influence Project 7 has two elements: 1.To understand how policy in the area of sustainable behaviour/consumption is shaped. 2.To explore the implications for policy of a practices approach.

6. A taste of existing practices insights into long term behaviour change: Existing models of behaviour – which emphasise choice – overstate the ability of people to change behaviour at will. Technology and infrastructure always change behaviour. It could be used as a mechanism for behaviour change. Policy is organised by theme – ‘energy’, ‘water’ and so on. Should it be organised by the way people live – eating, travelling etc?

7. Engagement lessons from the stem cell debate: This is what I know works. Mapping and recognition of multiple agendas, meanings and expectations matters. Inconsistencies are normal – people do not speak with ‘one voice’ but wear different hats. Longitudinal engagement is more effective in helping a debate to evolve than one-off events. Mutual learning between experts is essential. Different types of expertise must be recognised. The reframing of an existing debate helps to build a new policy coalition.

8. Thank you. Funded by ESRC, DEFRA and the Scottish Government SUSTAINABLE RESEARCH GROUP PRACTICES Manchester Lancaster Edinburgh Essex Leeds Salford Cardiff Newcastle Queens University Belfast