My PhD research focuses on visioning in the heat transition, specifically examining how different actors develop and influence images of the future. It explores how the development and sharing of future visions can enable both necessary and desirable changes, while taking into account contextual factors such as historical developments, geographical location and policy frameworks.

Visioning plays a key role in shaping the heat transition, as decisions about collective heating solutions are often made under conditions of uncertainty. Future scenarios function as reference frameworks that shape perceptions of what is desirable, feasible and realistic. However, these scenarios often vary among stakeholders, including residents, municipalities, energy cooperatives and advisors. Such differences can lead to misunderstandings and tensions but may also create opportunities for new forms of collaboration. My research therefore analyses how future visions emerge, interact and evolve among stakeholders. These visions influence governance, decision-making and collaboration within the heat transition. In addition, it explores how visioning can help stimulate progress and strengthen citizen engagement.

I'm part of the EmPowerED consortium which stands for: Enabling Positive Energy Districts through citizen-centered socio-technical models for upscaling of the heat transition. EmPowerED seeks to develop a scalable, integrated approach for co-creating carbon-neutral heating solutions, grounded in both theory and empirical evidence, and adaptable to the unique context of each local PED.