THE 2021 FESTIVAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE
RUNNING 1-30 NOVEMBER 2021
RUNNING 1-30 NOVEMBER 2021
SMART Climate Action (SCA) is a public engagement event, which offers an exciting opportunity for children and young people and the public to have a hands-on, interactive experience to explore cutting-edge sensors and 5G technologies that contribute to cutting carbon emissions and adaptations to climate change. The public will be guided to reflect on the role of technology, youth participation, digital inclusion/exclusion, and Scotland’s place in the global response and resilience to the climate emergency through an interactive installation.
SCA attendees will engage with themes of climate action, inclusive transition to Net Zero, and energy use through interaction and engagement with state-of-the-art sensing and 5G technologies developed in Scotland and UofG. The installation involves:
1. A demonstration of a Persuasive Energy Conscious Network (PECN) – allowing attendees to evaluate the feasibility of using sensing technologies to influence user behaviour and shift patterns of energy consumption.
2. Streaming interactive digital content: pre-recorded messages by young people (from Scotland and Chile), interviews with policymakers/industry, videos of real-world applications of sensing and 5G technologies produced by team members, and live feedback of attendees’ self-reflection via guided response on Mentimeter.
3. Social media engagement creates opportunities, to engage young people in dialogues with local, regional, national, and international stakeholders (e.g. headteachers, council and elected-members, multi-national organisation officials, climate advocates) on adapting to impacts of climate change and the role technology plays.
Attendees will benefit from greater public awareness of the opportunities afforded by technology and reflect on challenges in energy strategies, digital exclusion, and reducing reliance on fossil fuel generators in rural/high-poverty areas and so-called Global South.
The event is led by a cross-disciplinary team from the University of Glasgow: Dr. Mark Wong [Urban Studies], Dr. Claire Bynner [Education], Prof. Catherine Lido (UBDC) Dr. Justine Gangneux [UBDC], Prof. Muhammad Imran [Science & Engineering] Prof. Jonathan Cooper [Science & Engineering]
Anyone is welcome to attend.
The event is targeted at secondary and primary-aged children and young people (i.e. 5-18)
