More and More and More: why energy transitions are an unhelpful myth

Think we’re transitioning to green energy? Think again. Join us for a talk on the history, mythology and politics of energy transitions.

Join us for a compelling discussion with Jean-Baptiste Fressoz, historian and researcher at CNRS & the Alexandre Koyré Center of EHESS in Paris, as he forensically dissects the past and future potential for energy transitions.

Fressoz’s new book More and More and More; an all-consuming history of energy – described by The Economist as ‘necessary, eye-opening and frequently gobsmacking’ – challenges the widely held assumption that our energy history is a linear progression from wood to coal, oil, nuclear, and ultimately to green energy. Instead, he argues that each new phase of energy use remains inextricably linked to its predecessors, creating a complex web of interdependencies.

This seminar, the second in our new series on ‘Flashpoints & faultlines’ will be chaired by Neil Morisetti (Professor of Climate and Resource Security, and Head of the Department for Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (STEaPP) at UCL, and former UK Government Special Representative for Climate Change).

We will also have contributions from discussants: Dr Bipashyee Ghosh, Lecturer in Engineering, Innovation and Public Policy at STEaPP-UCL, and Oliver Morton (Senior and Briefings Editor, The Economist).

Places are limited so please book in advance to reserve your seat! Please note the location for this seminar (Room "Maths 505", 25 Gordon Street) is different from the usual series venue.

Flashpoints & faultlines in science, technology, engineering & public policy: a STEaPP seminar series

Science, technology and engineering policy has never been more important, nor more contested. Over the next year, UCL’s Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (STEaPP) will be holding a series of seminars under the umbrella theme of ‘Flashpoints & faultlines in science, technology, engineering and public policy’. These are designed to provoke and stimulate fresh lines of thought, debate and research within the department, across UCL and beyond.

All staff and students in STEaPP are warmly invited to participate, as are colleagues from across UCL with an interest in these topics. The series is being convened by Geoff Mulgan and James Wilsdon, and is being organised with the support of the Research on Research Institute (RoRI), based within STEaPP.

Seminars will take place from 4pm to 5:30pm, on the last Tuesday or Wednesday of the month, and will be followed by an informal drinks and nibbles reception to 6pm. The seminars are held in person as an opportunity to strengthen collaborative links across STEaPP and wider UCL.