The conference will be held at Instituto de Ciências Sociais (Lisbon University), in Lisbon, Portugal, March 22 - 24,  2012.

Contemporary challenges of climate change, increased global energy demand, but also the rise of the cost of primary energy and the depletion of fossil fuel resources have placed the energy issues at the centre of political debate. The consequent impact in the society makes it timely and urgent to address the social aspects of energy policy. 

Yet, to date, social sciences have been slow to respond in addressing the range of important questions and issues regarding changes in the energy sector. This conference aims to bring together state-of-the-art research and thinking and to provide insights that may contribute to a better understanding of social science aspects in the energy field. 

The event will feature a keynote by distinguished Dr. Harold Wilhite, and will feature distinguished guests, such as Dr. John Randell (US) or Dr. Françoise Bartiaux (BE). In addition to thematic panels of regular paper presentations, the program will include a session for debating the development of the role of social sciences in the energy policy debate. The conference will provide an opportunity  for networking, and to establish international research and collaboration.

Bringing together scholars from Europe, and elsewhere, interested and/or currently working in social aspects of energy issues, this conference will formalize the international network "Energy and Society" originally founded in 2010, and will host its first a general assembly.

With the support of the European Sociological Association's Research Network on Environment and Society (RN12), the International Sociological Association Research Committee on Environment and Society, and ADENE, Portuguese Energy Agency.