Research Associate in Environmental and Flood Risk Governance
You will work as a research assistant in the context of the Prefigure Horizon project primarily conducting qualitative empirical research. Prefigure focuses on existing and emerging individual and collective efforts to actively develop alternative and innovative practices that promote a more just and sustainable housing and energy transition. The project's pioneering transformative approach aims to identify, trace, analyze, and network emerging and active “prototypes of change” related to the housing-energy efficiency/energy poverty nexus. These prototypes encompass a range of structured social, political, and economic innovative practices that contribute to affordable housing renovation schemes and solutions addressing housing inequalities, particularly benefiting vulnerable households and communities. The prototypes have already been selected and include two case studies, one in Greece and one in the UK.
You will conduct qualitative and ethnographic research to understand the drivers behind specific prototypes of change and their role in addressing housing and energy inequalities. Interviewees will include policy experts, various types of innovators, and local communities. You will focus on two case studies—one in Greece (Ioannina) and one in England (Brixton)—and will contribute to the production of a comparative analysis of existing and emerging prototypes. This analysis will help develop a comprehensive catalogue on the drivers, capacity, and impact of prototypes that favor vulnerable households and communities by addressing housing and energy inequalities, in collaboration with the other project partners. Additionally, you will contribute to the creation of a learning community between partners from academia and practice.