Energy in COVID-19 Working Group Update: 29 SEPT 2020

This screenshot captures a visualization of responses to question 31a. of the Energy in COVID-19 project's survey of energy vulnerability during the pandemic.

The Energy in COVID-19 project looks at how energy consumption, services, production, and futures have been impacted by the current pandemic. This includes analysis of changes in how energy is being used, experienced, and understood in the quotidian as well as how it’s discussed and planned by experts attempting to gauge the current and future energy impacts of COVID-19.

Over the past two weeks, our group has been collaboratively analyzing the data from our “Energy Vulnerability in COVID-19” survey, which was completed in June of 2020. This 60-question survey—administered over the phone or Zoom with both structured and open-ended questions—asked respondents to reflect on their past and present energy experiences, practices, and understandings of energy systems in order to describe if and how these relations to energy have been impacted or altered during the COVID-19 pandemic. We had 81 responses from the US-based survey, and a handful of responses from the Italian (translated) and international versions. We also had a Spanish-translated version, but with no responses. We are currently using our initial analysis of survey responses to draft a new iteration of this survey that reflects our initial insights and revised research questions. As we begin to revise and re-administer this survey instrument, we will also be attempting to diversify and expand the breadth of the surveyed population. We welcome your input and collaboration in these endeavors.

The Energy in COVID-19 working group is open to scholars and researchers interested in energy from any discipline. Starting in October, we'll be offering multiple modes of participation as we begin observing our new monthly schedule. Our weekly group meetings will be hosted on Zoom at 11am PST every Monday. The first two weeks of meetings will be devoted to discussing and publishing our monthly research briefs. The following (third) Monday, our group will host an open research share where group members can discuss their latest work in their own energy-related projects. Finally, on the fourth Monday of the month, we’ll host a discussion of a recent or prominent work in energy studies. Join us this month for our discussion of Cara New Daggett’s The Birth of Energy. If you have further questions or would like to attend any or all of these meetings, please email James Adams at [email protected].