People, Place and Energy Research Centre
PPERC seeks to push the boundaries of knowledge about the social, technical and ecological challenges associated with energy transformations.
About the centre
The People, Place and Energy Research Centre (PPERC) focuses on how the geographies of place, culture and social reproduction shape the political and socio-technical underpinnings of energy systems change.
The Centre brings together social science energy researchers to create a distinctive research area focusing on the relationship between people and energy infrastructures across places, territories and landscapes.
PPERC explores how communities, policy makers and institutions respond to the challenges and opportunities associated with climate mitigation, sustainability and energy transitions.
Research aims
PPERC aims to:
- Formulate and advance a new global research and policy agenda by centring place-based energy and climate action, and highlighting the key geographic challenges associated with the movement towards a low carbon economy and society.
- Affirm place-based considerations and interventions as key sites for scholarship and action with respect to issues of energy, climate and equity.
- Act as an easily accessible hub (both internally and externally) for energy geographies and social science research at the University of Manchester and beyond.
Why this research matters
In response to the policy challenges associated with climate mitigation, PPERC focuses on the social practices, political decisions and spatial imaginaries that underpin energy and climate transformations.
By bringing social science perspectives into energy research, the Centre highlights how these transitions are shaped by social and cultural contexts, as well as technological and policy developments.
The Centre’s work contributes to environmental sustainability and social equity by addressing issues such as energy poverty and community engagement in energy transitions.
It complements existing initiatives that examine the relationship between technology, policy and societal change, offering new insights into how energy systems intersect with social justice and spatial dynamics.
This research supports the University of Manchester’s commitment to producing knowledge that informs policy, promotes social responsibility and drives positive change at local, national and global levels.
Research themes
- Knowing Energy - led by Hannah Knox
- Energy and Participation - led by Rob Bellamy
- Digitalisation and Energy - led by Yawei Zhao
Publications and research outputs
Explore publications, research activity and outputs from PPERC researchers through the PURE research profile:
Meet the team
PPERC Leadership Team
- Stefan Bouzarovski (Director)
- Hannah Knox (Co-Director and Theme Lead)
- Rob Bellamy (Co-Director and Theme Lead)
- Yawei Zhao (Co-Directors and Theme Lead)
- Katherine Sugar (PPERC Co-Ordinator)
- Elizabeth Lansell (Public engagement facilitator)
- Uttara Narayan (Reading group facilitator)
- Gareth Fearn (Policy facilitator)
PPERC Research Team
To be announced soon.
Funders
To be announced soon.
Partners
To be announced soon.
Advisory board
To be announced soon.
Research partners
Urban Energy Transformations Hub
Dedicated to addressing scientific and policy challenges at the interface of energy systems, places, people and cities. Managed and co-ordinated by the People, Place and Energy Research Centre at the University of Manchester, UK.
For more information, visit the Urban Energy Transformations Hub website.
Contact us
For enquiries about the People, Place and Energy Research Centre (PPERC), please contact:
- Email: pperc@manchester.ac.uk
- Based at The University of Manchester.
- Follow PPERC on LinkedIn and BlueSky.