Clíodhna Ní Shé is a PhD student in the Transport strand of NexSys, based in the School of Business at University College Dublin. Clíodhna’s research focuses on optimisation algorithms, with a focus on electric vehicle routing problems and last mile logistics. A vehicle routing problem is a combinatorial optimisation problem which aims to find the optimal set of routes for a fleet of vehicles to traverse in order to deliver to a given set of customers. Last mile logistics concerns the last stretch of the supply chain, from the last distribution centre to the recipient’s preferred destination point.
In her spare time Clíodhnaplays Gaelic Football for Carlow. From 25 to 29 June, she attended the EURO PhD summer school on sustainable supply chains in Hagen, Germany, and writes about her experience below.
Sunday
I set out from Dublin to Dusseldorf airport, where I would have to navigate two connecting trains and a bus to get me to my accommodation in Hagen, a city in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. I was due to arrive at my accommodation around 12 noon, but due to numerous delays and miscommunications in Deutsche Bahn, I only checked in at 5 o’clock. Hungry from the arduous trip, I was overjoyed to be greeted by a generous buffet of Lebanese food as I entered the Sunday evening get together. Following mildly awkward introductions, we enjoyed the delicious food in the heat, along with bottles of beer, cola and ‘radler’, a traditional German drink.
Monday
Bright and early in the morning, summer school delegates walked from the accommodation to the FernUniversitat, Germany’s only state distance learning university. With over 73,500 students, it is also the largest university in Germany. Throughout the busy week we were treated to lectures and tutorials on designing sustainable supply chains, benchmarking supply chains, and the circular economy. Monday’s lecture and tutorial concentrated on assessing sustainability in supply chains. First, I learned about the relevance and challenges of life cycle sustainability assessments. Following this, I learned about the steps of a life cycle assessment (LCA) and how to interpret the results. I was then introduced to social LCA and how to assess the environmental and social impacts, an interesting aspect of LCA that I hadn’t encountered before. In the afternoons, we were split into groups to work on various case studies. The case studies were introduced to us by representatives from industry partners Volkswagen and Holocene.
Tuesday-Wednesday
As the week went on, lecture focused on the planning of sustainable supply chains and the problems that arise when doing this planning. As part of learning about benchmarking sustainable supply chains, we were also introduced to data envelopment analysis.
A highlight of the trip was the field trip on Tuesday evening that we took to the Koepchenwerk pumped storage power plant, which has been shut down since 1994. We were treated to a very informative tour of the scenic plant. We then walked to an Italian restaurant where we had a lovely meal together.
Thursday
Thursday’s lecture on the circular economy was particularly interesting as we discussed many possible circular supply chains and the possible advantages and disadvantages of them, as well as their realistic viability.
On this final day of the summer school, we presented our case study presentations to our peers and to the relevant stakeholders.
Returning home
There is no doubt that throughout the week we gained valuable knowledge from experts that guided us through cutting edge quantitative research in this vital field. However, the most valuable information was gained from my peers with whom I collaborated and had the opportunity to share stories and connect with.
NexSys researchers and team members have just completed a six-week programme of public engagement, funded by SFI’s Discover Programme.
The programme, called Little Big Questions, engaged primary school children from the Travelling community with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The children, aged 8-12, visited UCD and took part in experiments and activities ranging from pH testing, eye colour experiments, space and rocket science, energy, motors and circuits, to the research process itself.
The activities were coordinated by staff from NexSys, Insight, UCD Discovery Institute, with collaboration allowing for a diversity of STEM activities for primary school children.
NexSys researchers were involved in presentations to the primary school visitors as part of NexSys’s EPE programme.
“In any classroom, you will find a wide range of interests. A varied programme of activities that speaks to the diversity of things to study and careers to pursue from STEM translates into more opportunities to connect with young people and their individual interests,” said Lorna Byrne, NexSys Education & Public Engagement Officer.
Associate Professor Julie Byrne, EPE Champion and Finance Theme Lead for NexSys, said: “Young learners who visit UCD for these programmes get to hear from early and advanced career researchers. There is a great sense of connection in the room as they learn about why these researchers are interested in what they are, and who they are as people.
“Lorna facilitates an environment that enables PhD students and faculty to be accessible role models. Those participating in such events receive powerful messages along with some very cool learning experiences in our outreach labs. As researchers, we all learn the difference between ‘dumbing down’ and ‘simplifying’ our messages about the power of science in providing solutions to real-world problems,” said Julie.
Professor Andrew Keane, Director of NexSys and the UCD Energy Institute, said: “The energy transition affects everyone, and perhaps particularly the youngest generations. By engaging younger generations on the role of energy, we hope to empower the next generation of energy citizens to make evidence-based decisions, and inspire them to become curious about research in general.”
Children, teachers and organisers on the final day of the programme.
Lorna was recently awarded a UCD College of Engineering & Architecture Teaching & Learning Award. The award, which was made in November 2022, recognised Lorna’s ‘exceptional contribution to learning’ through workshops conducted in 2021/2022.
The programme ran with schools from across Dublin and engaged 8-12 year olds in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).
About the NexSys EPE programme
The EPE vision for the NexSys programme is to define the pathways to a net zero energy system by 2040 with the Energy Citizen at the core. This means creating opportunities to engage with a wide range of stakeholders and decision makers across relevant sectors.
NexSys’ EPE activities range from educating school children on the role of energy, inspiring generations of curious researchers, as well as engaging with policy makers and industry stakeholders in supporting evidence-based decision making.
NexSys researchers Dr Aparajita Banerjee and Assoc. Prof Geertje Schuitema, who lead the Just Transition Research Group in University College Dublin hosted a half-day conference on just transition in Ireland on 7 June. Dr Banerjee and Assoc. Prof. Geertje Schuitema are both based in University College Dublin’s School of Business and part of the NexSys research partnership.
Dr Aparajita Banerjee opening the conference
The event, also organised by Oscar Mooney, Project Coordinator for the Just Transition Research Group and research assistant at UCD, took place in UCD’s Smurfit Business School Campus and online. It was sponsored by the UCD Earth Institute SPSM Funding Mechanism.
conference
Transitioning to a low-carbon economy requires transformative changes in technology, society, human behaviour, and institutional practices.
The conference facilitated a cross-disciplinary dialogue to encourage integrated and interdisciplinary knowledge and understanding of how a Just Transition to a low-carbon future can be achieved.
Here are some of the questions that were explored:
●How can research on Just Transition contribute to the decarbonisation of our socio-economic systems?
●How can we produce knowledge that can ensure social justice is not compromised during the transition process?
● How can integrated and interdisciplinary research contribute to solving complex societal problems?
Assoc. Prof Schuitema said: “The just transition is a so-called wicked problem, which means it’s very difficult to solve due to its complex, multi-layered and interconnected nature. This is why we need a discussion that includes different perspectives and angles. The fact we heard so many perspectives today is what made this conference really inspiring.”
In rounding up the conference, she also noted some of the common themes that emerged from the discussion, including:
The need for radical change when it comes to achieving a just transition
The just transition is an opportunity to reduce existing inequalities
Solutions must involve and include the communities, workers, farmers and all those impacted on the ground
The need for institutional change, with well designed bottom-up and top-down approaches.
The recognition that technological solutions are needed, but also have societal and political implications
Researchers can play an active role in driving projects, talk to industry and policy makers, and empower communities
A recent publication by NexSys researchers
Policymakers need to include spatial differences to ensure a just transition: a case study from the Irish midlands
A month before the conference, a new paper by Dr Aparajita Banerjee and Associate Professor Geertje Schuitema was published. The paper argued that, in order for a just transition to take place, policymakers need to take into account spatial differences such as different geographies, access to natural resources, and availability and accessibility of socially-valuable resources such as education, healthcare and transport. Spatial differences can exacerbate inequalities, especially when it comes to rural spaces such as in the Irish midlands, the researchers wrote in the paper.
As the world transitions away from fossil fuels, many regions, and especially rural areas, face both economic and non economic losses (including job losses). Policies that help ensure a just transition for impacted communities, people, and regions are usually referred to as ‘just transition’ policies.
The authors examined a case study from the Irish midlands, where industrial peat extraction for electricity production was discontinued after the closure of associated power plants in 2020.
Under the European Union Just Transition Programme, funding of 169 million euro has been allocated to the region until 2030, as well as 22 million euro put in place by the Irish government, to help communities in the midlands impacted by the closures.
Based on documentary evidence and 30 in-person interviews with community members living in Co. Offaly and Co. Longford, close to the power stations and peatlands where extraction was taking place before closure of the industry, community members felt little was done to prepare the region for a just transition, despite evident decline of the industry for many years, the researchers report.
“Preparing a region to be able to provide alternative livelihood options is critical to absorb the shock of the sudden job cuts. These alternative livelihoods should align with what people in the region want so that the characteristics of the space are maintained,” said Dr Aparajita Banerjee.
Locals felt frustrated and angry, and perceived they were not included in the just transition process. Another theme that emerged was a sense of loss which included tangible job losses and intangible losses due to the connection between the peat industry and the local social and cultural fabric.
Based on these findings, the researchers argued that spatial differences, incorporated in the notion of spatial justice, can enhance social justice or injustice, and thus must be accounted for in policy around the just transition. A lack of alternative jobs and industries in the region, due to prolonged underinvestment, was one issue that emerged from the interviews. Rural development must become part of a long-term just transition policy plan, say the authors in the paper.
The research, which was supported by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), is published in the journal Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space, and is free to read.
The 6th European Climate Change Adaptation conference took place in Dublin Castle from the 19th to the 21st of June, 2023.
Professor Eleni Mangina, who is based in UCD’s School of Computer Science and a NexSys-funded investigator, chaired the ‘Social challenges in the energy transition innovation: novel technologies’ session on the 21st of June and presented the portfolio of projects associated with her research group.
‘The event allowed us to engage in meaningful discussions throughout the day. It was a great opportunity to share actual examples of the challenges and potential solutions in the energy transition. We now need to act swiftly to progress our actions at every level,’ said Prof Mangina.
The goal of the conference, among the goals of the previous ECCA editions, was to inspire adaptation by showcasing solutions, exchanging knowledge, creating connections, and encouraging dialogue.
Along with collaborator Prof. Mohammad Saffari (DCU), the aims and objectives of the Horizon Europe HYSTORE project were presented, she said.
The audience included adaptation experts, researchers, practitioners, policy-makers, local authorities, and the private sector with a focus on businesses already engaged and taking action on climate risk, investors, NGOs, citizens organisations, youth and education organisations, community groups engaged in adaptation, communicators, and all interested individuals.
Global experts were able to hear from Europe’s leading climate researchers who are using trusted data to develop cutting-edge climate action tools, decision-support platforms and prototype climate services for adapting to the climate challenges they are tasked with addressing.
Besides necessary mitigation measures, adaptation actions contribute to recovery, resilience, climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation and restoration, citizen safety, wellbeing, and financial security, said Mangina.
The Joint Programme Initiative “Connecting Climate Knowledge for Europe” (JPI Climate), together with the MAGICA project, supported by the European Commission, organized this edition of ECCA. It was an in-person event over two days for up to 500 people, with live streaming of all plenary sessions and interactive hybrid formats.
Introducing NexSys research through the lens of publication abstracts
by Brian Boyle and Stefan Müller
Brian Boyle is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the School of Politics and International Relations at University College Dublin. Brian’s main research interests include social inequalities and representation in political behaviour and political communication, with a focus on the use of quantitative and computational social science approaches.
Stefan Müller is an Assistant Professor and Ad Astra Fellow in the School of Politics and International Relations at University College Dublin. His research focuses on political representation, party competition, political communication, public opinion, and quantitative text analysis. Stefan is a core member of the Connected_Politics Lab, a fellow at the UCD Geary Institute for Public Policy, a member of the UCD Energy Institute, co-author of the quanteda R package, and maintainer of the Irish Polling Indicator. He established the Text & Policy Research Group at UCD.
As political and computational social scientists, at NexSys we are exploring how researchers, parties, politicians, interest groups, and legal documents discuss net-zero emissions policies. Using quantitative text analysis and supervised machine learning, we will define and map policies relating to the environment and sustainability, and provide recommendations for policymakers. This brief analysis forms part of our broader work within NexSys.
The authors
Keen to learn more about NexSys and unsure where to start? In this blog post, we use bibliometrics, the statistical analysis of publications, to introduce the NexSys team and their research.
We were curious to find out how our team’s prior work relates to the core aims of the NexSys programme, and which issues relating to the strands of NexSys have been addressed in past abstracts of publications. Our results illustrate the depth and breadth of NexSys research.
Over 2,600 publications from ten different subject areas
We systematically collected information on previous academic publications from the NexSys team. The Elsevier Scopus database contains abstracts and citation information on over 85 million documents, across more than 25,000 peer-reviewed journals, books, and conference papers. Of the 74 NexSys team members listed on the project staff page [data collected in January 2023], 59 were present in the Scopus database. This covered all staff members with the exception of our PhD Students and non-academic members of the team.
While over half of NexSys researchers have an engineering background, the full team covers ten different subject areas, including architecture, computer science, economics, and social policy. The engineers themselves come from over seven sub-fields, including chemical, civil, electrical, marine, and mechanical engineering.
Searching the Scopus database by author returned 3,200 publications, 2,880 of which contained a valid digital object identifier (DOI), and relevant summary description text (e.g. article abstracts). The NexSys members’ publications were spread across a variety of formats, including 2,000 journal articles, 600 conference papers, as well as 160 books and book chapters.
Differences Across Disciplines
We provide descriptive analyses of publication abstracts using the quanteda R package (Benoit et al. 2018) for quantitative text analysis. The table below lists the number of abstracts from each subject area. We also report the abstracts’ most frequent terms and phrases, after removing punctuation characters, numbers, and so-called “stopwords” which appear in almost all scientific publications.
The list underscores the depth of our research, but also shows that researchers from most disciplines have directly worked on one or more of the core issues of the NexSys programme.
Most Frequent Features in Publication Abstract by Subject Area
Business (127 abstracts): ireland (37 mentions), policy (35), consumers (34), energy (33), social (33), research (28), firms (28), policies (27), acceptability (26), demand (25)
Chemical Engineering (176 abstracts): biofilm (138 mentions), biofilms (69), membrane (69), process (63), potential (55), system (54), high (53), oxygen (49), gas (48), treatment (46)
Civil/Structural Engineering (409 abstracts): ireland (156 mentions), bridge (139), potential (134), cycling (125), vehicle (120), water (114), transport (110), new (107), performance (100), system (100)
Computer Science (254 abstracts): system (173 mentions), performance (107), potential (78), systems (75), process (71), technology (71), students (69), learning (65), technologies (65), biomass (65)
Mechanical Engineering (598 abstracts): building (166 mentions), performance (156), experimental (148), system (127), compared (125), potential (118), damage (112), flow (112), numerical (112), energy (107)
Other/Non-academic (187 abstracts): system (68 mentions), adaptation (55), ieee (54), network (53), voltage (52), impact (49), methodology (48), control (46), load (45), power_systems (44)
Politics and Social Policy (33 abstracts): housing (48 mentions), parties (24), voters (23), policy (20), social (17), electoral (15), support (14), problems (13), government (13), party (12)
The Focus on the Five Strands
NexSys consists of five strands: four hub strands (Water; Cities and Communities; Transport; Offshore Wind), and the Energy Systems core strand linking these four areas.
We explore how the NexSys team’s research fits into each strand (due to the overarching scope of the Energy Systems core strand, this was excluded from the current analysis). In order to classify the database of publication abstracts, we used a two-stage procedure. First, we selected ‘seed words’ that were narrowly and directly related to each strand (water; cities, city, community; transport, infrastructure; wind, offshore wind). We then checked whether or not an abstract contained none, one, or more than one of these keywords.
With this initial simple classification, we moved on to so-called keyness analysis, a method through which frequent words can be identified (see, e.g., Bondi and Scott 2010; Zollinger 2022). Taking each strand in turn, we set the abstract texts that were identified as belonging to that strand based on the dictionary search as our target category, and all other abstract texts as the reference group. We then compared the relative frequency of features (this could be words or multi-word expressions) across each set of documents and identified words strongly associated with a specific category.
Words that occur very often in documents in our target category, but do not appear much in any of the reference documents, would produce a relatively high Chi2 value. Words that appear frequently in the reference documents, but not very often in the target documents would contain negative values.
From the keyness analysis, we took the ten most distinctive features for each strand and ran new dictionary searches using this expanded set of keywords to re-classify the publication abstracts, which are outlined below.
Strand Classification – Keyness Analysis 10 Most Distinct Features
After this second round of classification, we took each set of abstracts labelled under each strand and then ran a final keyness analysis. For abstracts falling into each of the four strands, we compared publications by engineers with researchers across all other subject areas. This allows us to explore how our team’s overall previous research aligns with the NexSys strands. The keyness analysis also helps us understand how the focus on each strand differs across research fields.
The results for each strand are displayed in the figures below.
Broadly speaking, we observe clear differences in terms of both the language used across each of the four strands, as well as between engineering and other disciplines’ focus within each strand.
Engineering research tends to have a more focused scope, that is directly tied to concepts surrounding measurement, technology, and physical systems. The remaining research fields, meanwhile, tend to relate to a somewhat broader level of analysis, with the most distinct terms focusing on people-centred aspects of each strand. Examples include urban areas, specific locations and places, and the human impact of climate change.
This very preliminary result highlights that NexSys researchers have focused on a combination of the technical questions and societal effects of these technologies.
What we learned
Exploring the abstract texts from the NexSys team’s previous publications highlights the breadth of research experience and knowledge offered within the programme. It is clear that bringing together researchers from a broad range of subject areas is a key advantage of NexSys in its endeavour to develop technical, political, and social solutions to reach our net zero energy goals. This initial textual analysis shows how NexSys addresses the programme’s core objectives from various angles.
References
Benoit, Kenneth, Kohei Watanabe, Haiyan Wang, Paul Nulty, Adam Obeng, Stefan Müller, and Akitaka Matsuo. 2018. “Quanteda: An R Package for the Quantitative Analysis of Textual Data.” The Journal of Open Source Software 3 (30): 774. https://doi.org/10.21105/joss.00774
Bondi, Marina, and Mike Scott, eds. 2010. Keyness in Texts. Amsterdam: John Benjamins. https://doi.org/10.1075/scl.41
Zollinger, Delia. 2022. “Cleavage Identities in Voters’ Own Words: Harnessing Open-Ended Survey Responses.” American Journal of Political Science published ahead of print. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajps.12743
About NexSys
Next Generation Energy Systems (NexSys) is an all-island multidisciplinary research programme, involving nine different research institutions, alongside industry partners from across the energy sector. The programme’s key aims include tackling the challenges of energy decarbonisation, and developing evidence-based pathways for a just, net-zero energy system.
Watch the webinar by Professor Andrew Keane, Director of NexSys and UCD Energy Institute on the work of the Next Generation Energy Systems (NexSys) programme on future-proofing Ireland’s energy systems.
It was hosted by the Houses of the Oireachtas Library & Research Services with Science Foundation Ireland to mark Science Week 2022.
Andrew Keane gives insights across the five research strands of NexSys: Energy Systems, Water, Transport, Offshore Wind, and Cities & Communities.
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