Dr Christina Demski, School of Psychology, Cardiff University

Overview

Research Group: Social Psychology
Location: 51a Park Place
Email: DemskiCC@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone: +44(0)29 208 70466

Research Summary

I have expertise in public acceptability and attitudes towards environmental and energy issues (e.g. climate change, energy security, renewable energy) and have recently completed my PhD focusing on public perceptions of renewable energy technologies, examining the conditional nature of support. The thesis drew on both psychological theories, for example attitude-behaviour theories, and more constructivist approaches in the field of socio-technological transitions. I have experience using mixed methods but have particular expertise in quantitative survey methods. I am currently working on a project investigating public values, attitudes and acceptance of UK energy system transformations, including perceptions of framings and trade-offs around energy futures. Working in an interdisciplinary research group has provided me with much knowledge and understanding beyond psychological theory; and I believe such interdisciplinary perspectives are invaluable, if not essential, when exploring public(s) views around energy and environmental risks and policies.

Teaching Summary

2008-2011: Postgraduate tutor for Level 1 and 2 undergraduate psychology students in statistics and practical report writing. Marking of practical reports (~ 60 reports per annum) and running tutorials.

Selected Publications (2008 onwards)

Pidgeon, N. and Demski, C.C. (2012). From nuclear to renewable: Energy system transformation and public attitudes. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientist, 68(4), 41-51.

Poortinga, W., Spence, A., Demski, C. and Pidgeon, N. (2012). Individual-motivational factors in the acceptability of demand-side and supply-side measures to reduce carbon emissions. Energy Policy.

Demski, Christina (2011) Public perceptions of renewable energy technologies: challenging the notion of widespread support. PhD thesis, Cardiff University. [pdf]

Spence, A., Venables, D., Pidgeon, N., Poortinga, W. and Demski, C. (2010). Public Perceptions of Climate Change and Energy Futures in Britain: Summary Findings of a Survey Conducted in January-March 2010. Technical Report (Understanding Risk Working Paper 10-01). Cardiff: School of Psychology.

Publications

Full List of Publications

2012

Pidgeon, N. and Demski, C.C. (2012). From nuclear to renewable: Energy system transformation and public attitudes. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientist, 68(4), 41-51.

Poortinga, W., Spence, A., Demski, C. and Pidgeon, N. (2012). Individual-motivational factors in the acceptability of demand-side and supply-side measures to reduce carbon emissions. Energy Policy.

2011

Demski, Christina (2011) Public perceptions of renewable energy technologies: challenging the notion of widespread support. PhD thesis, Cardiff University. [pdf]

Whitmarsh, L., Upham, P., Poortinga, W., McLachlan, C., Darnton, A. Devine-Wright, P., Demski, C. and Sherry-Brennan, F. (2011). Public Attitudes to and Engagement with Low-Carbon Energy – a research synthesis for the Research Councils UK.

Corner, A., Venables, D., Spence, A., Poortinga, W., Demski, C. and Pidgeon, N. (2011). Nuclear power, climate change and energy security: Exploring British public attitudes. Energy Policy, 39(9), 4823-4833.

2010

Spence, A., Venables, D., Pidgeon, N., Poortinga, W. and Demski, C. (2010). Public Perceptions of Climate Change and Energy Futures in Britain: Summary Findings of a Survey Conducted in January-March 2010. Technical Report (Understanding Risk Working Paper 10-01). Cardiff: School of Psychology. (Available from www.understanding-risk.org)

Poster

Public perception of energy choices: renewable energy. UKERC summer school 2010, Warwick, UK.

Presentations

Conceptualising renewable energy, Gregynog Student Conference 2009, UK.

Public perception of renewable energy in the context of climate change and energy security, Psychology Internal seminar series, 2009.

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Research

Research Topics and Related Papers

Transforming the UK Energy System: Public Values, Attitudes and Acceptability (UKERC/NERC funded 2011-2013)
This is an interdisciplinary project part of the wider research agenda being developed through the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC). The project will use different future energy scenarios as a starting point for engaging public(s) with notions of whole energy system change. It will employ both in-depth qualitative and generlisable quantitative methods to examine public values, attitudes and acceptability of key trade-offs and framings within whole energy system change. The core aim is to develop a deeper understanding of public perspectives on UK energy system transitions in order to inform the policy-making process and future energy scenarios.

PhD Thesis (July 2008-June 2011)
My doctoral research investigates public perception of energy choices in relation to climate change and energy security arguments and framings. It focuses especially on perceptions and opinions of renewable energy technologies, which will become increasingly important as solutions to both climate change and energy security. Looking at underlying factors of public opinions will help shape communicating and working with the public on deciding energy futures for Britain, as well as foster climate change mitigation efforts. It is therefore important to know how people conceptualise and think about renewable energy in order to incorporate them into policy and public discourse in a way that is understood and accepted by the public.

My thesis has a strong methodological focus, using both qualitative and quantitative research phases. This includes utilisation of more innovative survey methodologies to investigate conditional support of onshore and offshore wind farms (for example). This research also aims to investigate underlying values and reasons relating to public perception of various renewable energy technologies, examining relationships with environmental values, climate change and energy security beliefs specifically.

Funding

PhD (2008-2011): Leverhulme Trust

Research Group

I am part of the Understanding Risk Research Group which carries out interdisciplinary and multi-method research. The group has members across a number of departments within Cardiff University as well as Nottingham University, Sheffield University and University of East Anglia.

Biography

Undergraduate Education

2005-2008: BSc Psychology, Cardiff University, UK. (1st class Honours)

Postgraduate Education

2008-2011: PhD student, School of Psychology, Cardiff, UK. Title: Public perception of renewable energy in the context of climate change and energy security (funded by Leverhulme Trust)

Employment

Research Associate (Cardiff University, July 2011 – present)

Transforming the UK Energy System: Public Values, Attitudes and Acceptability Public (NERC/UKERC)

Membership

2006 – Present: British Psychological Society (BPS)