The multilevel perspective and social practice theory have emerged as competing approaches for understanding the complexity of sociotechnical change. The relationship between these two different camps has, on occasions, been antagonistic, but we argue that they are not mutually exclusive. Indeed, through empirical analysis of two different case studies of sustainability innovation, we show that … Continue reading »
Sabine Hielscher, Gill Seyfang and Adrian Smith from the CISE project have a chapter in a new book on Innovations in Sustainable Consumption. Hielscher, S., Seyfang, G. and Smith, A. (2013) ‘Grassroots Innovations for Sustainable Energy: Exploring niche development processes among community energy initiatives’ in Cohen, M., Brown, H. and Vergragt, P. (eds)Innovations in Sustainable … Continue reading »
A Global Community Currency Movement? Unity and Diversity in Practice We present key findings of the GICC (Grassroots Innovations: Community Currencies) project’s analysis of the activities and characteristics of the international community currency movement (November 2012) GI briefing 17 A Global Community Currency Movement?
Community Currencies and Sustainability: New economics objectives and orientations Community currencies have long been associated with the environmental movement, and in this briefing we identify various sustainability rationales for developing these grassroots innovations. (October 2012) GI briefing 15 Community Currencies and Sustainability
A new working paper presents a niche analysis of community currencies for sustainability. Over the last decade, the nascent field of Sustainability Transitions has sought to explain the conditions under which technological innovations can diffuse and disrupt existing socio-technical systems through the successful scaling up of experimental ‘niches’. Building on this pioneering work, recent … Continue reading »
Seyfang, G. and Smith, A. (2007) ‘Grassroots Innovations for Sustainable Development: Towards a new research and policy agenda’ in Environmental Politics 16(4) pp.584-683 Innovation and community action are two important strands for sustainable development. Yet they have not hitherto been linked. Community action is a neglected, but potentially important, site of innovative activity. Bridging this divide … Continue reading »
Smith, A. (2007) ‘Translating Sustainabilities Between Green Niches and Socio-Technical Regimes’ Technology Analysis and Strategic Management 19(4) pp.427-450 A role for green niches has risen to prominence in the environment and innovation literature. The role of idealistic enthusiasts in the creation of sustainability initiatives in niches is widely recognized.The importance of tensions in incumbent socio-technical regimes is acknowledged to provide … Continue reading »
Smith, A., Vos, J-P. and Grin, J. (2010) ‘Innovation and Sustainability Transitions: The allure of the multi-level perspective and its challenges’ Research Policy 39 pp.435-448 Sustainable development is prompting a re-assessment of innovation and technological change. This review paper contributes three things towards this re-assessment activity. First, it considers how the history of innovation studies for sustainable development … Continue reading »
Smith, A., Stirling, A. and Berkhout, F. (2005) ‘The Governance Of Sustainable Socio-Technical Transitions’ Research Policy 34 pp.1491-1510 A quasi-evolutionary model of socio-technical transitions is described in which regimes face selection pressures continuously. Differentiated transition contexts determine the form and direction of regime change in response to these pressures. The articulation of pressures, and the degree to … Continue reading »
Sabine Hielscher, Gill Seyfang and Adrian Smith (2011) Community Innovation for Sustainable Energy CSERGE Working Paper 2011-03, (CSERGE, Norwich) As in other countries, there is a growing public, policy and business interest in the UK in the roles and potential of community-led initiatives for sustainable energy consumption and production. Such initiatives include green lifestyle-based activities to reduce energy … Continue reading »
