Research Projects and Publications

Designing Your Energy Lifestyle: Data Visualization and Data Thinking

We study and build programs that guide youth through the process of visualizing their own household and personal energy data. We build on a growing body of science education research which indicates that personalization of data sets and visualization enhance youth’s motivation to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) topics. Building off past pilot work, we continue to develop program activities, engaging youth in a participatory process to create content and working with a multidisciplinary team to assess program impacts.

Global impacts of COVID on electricity consumption and mobility

We are investigating relationships between COVID-related “stay at home” (SAH) orders, mobility and multi-sectoral electricity demand in over 60 countries. The first phase of the work is completed with a research paper submitted and interactive website published. We continue to add new countries, explore the impacts of recovery efforts on electricity consumption, and examine ever more complex measures of stay at home orders.

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Adoption of Smart Home Technologies and Local Grid Modernization Policies; Drivers and Barriers

In this project, we examine how current events, norms, and costs, as well as household demographics, shape intentions to adopt smart home technologies and public preferences for local grid modernization policies. Using survey data and other data gathered from multiple projects, we investigate the realized barriers to the purchase, installation, and continued use of smart home technologies.

Scaling Youth Energy and Climate Data Visualization Programs

Scaling youth programs continues to be a challenge. With our partners, we study business and other models to effectively scale youth-focused STEM-related education and behavior change programs. Under consideration are citizen science and franchise models, as well as more traditional nonprofit models relying on philanthropy and grants.

Understanding the Impact of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Energy Activities and Consumption

In this multidisciplinary and multimethod series of projects, we build datasets of residential energy usage, attitudes about energy-related technologies and policies, and energy activities from journaling apps and surveys. We examine this data using innovative analysis frameworks to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on residential energy activities and consumption.

Publications