Staff profile

Research

How will we live in times to come? What can be done now to make the future liveable?

My work has always been related to questions of change and time. I am now focused on the urgency of the need to address climate change by decarbonising energy systems, and the different time horizons in play. This is a way to approach research on the inequalities and injustices that can be reproduced even as we go through major system changes related to energy. Within this, I have been interested in how people imagine the future in different ways, including technical modelling and formal plan-making as well as informal reflection, and how that affects how we live now and may have to live in the future. 

I have developed this focus on time and environments from my early doctoral research (1994) on how people imagine how the past will persist (and perform it for tourists) under conditions of economic decline. Later, I worked on questions about how people engage with land-use planning and the workings and future-imaginaries of local government. All of my ethnographic work has been based in Western Europe – UK, France, Scandinavia, although I work collaboratively with colleagues across the world.

I am now Executive Director of Durham Energy Institute, which works across the university and with external organisations to develop and promote research for energy decarbonisation. In this role, I hold the Ørsted Chair in Green Energy Systems.

Some of my recent projects are listed here:

- ‘INCLUDE’, a research centre for socially-inclusive energy transitions, which is based at the university of Oslo;

- ‘GEMS’, Geothermal energy from mines and solar-geothermal heat, where we have been working with post-coal communities on the implications and significance of re-using abandoned mines;

- ‘ICHP’, Zero-Carbon Emission Integrated Cooling, Heating and Power networks, exploring the socio-environmental conditions for siting hydrogen-hubs in urban areas;

 - 'REHIP' Growing Teesside’s hydrogen economy and catalysing a just transition to Net Zero, across disciplines and in partnership with Teesside University. 

- 'ELEXIA', Demonstration of a digitised energy system integration across sectors enhancing flexibility and resilience towards an efficient, sustainable, cost-optimised, affordable, secure, and stable energy supply [elexia-project.eu] 

Much of my current work is interdisciplinary, working with engineers, scientists, mathematicians, philosophers, sociologists and geographers. 

I helped to found the Energy Anthropology Network (www.easaonline.org/networks/ean/), and am involved in the Energy Futures Network of the European Association of Social anthropologists. I have also been a member of the Fair Transitions Consortium (https://energy-ethics.net).

I am happy to hear from prospective PhD or post-doctoral researchers who wish to work on energy-related topics from anthropological or interdisciplinary perspectives. My regional ethnographic experience covers Scandinavia (primarily Norway), France and England.

• Energy futures, and infrastructures
• Professional and expert practices
• Inhabitation and Property
• Government and bureaucracy

• 2020: Chair of the Association of Social Anthropologists UK:
• 2017: Visiting Professor University of Bergen:
• 2017: Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts:
• 2015: Founding editor of ASAonline, journal of the ASA: Founding editor of ASAonline, journal of the ASA
• 2013: Visiting Professor at University of Paris 8 (Saint Denis) and LAVUE (Laboratoire Architecture Ville Urbanisme Environnement):
• 2013: Organising committee of IUAES: Secretary to organising committee of the World Congress of the International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Societies, Manchester:
• 2010: Honorary Secretary of ASA: Secretary to Association of Social Anthropologists 2005-2010:

Authored book

• Abram, S., & Lund, K. (2017). Green Ice. Tourism Ecologies in the European High North. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-58736-7
• Pink, S., & Abram, S. (2015). Media, Anthropology and Public Engagement. Berghahn Journals
• Abram, S. (2011). Culture and Planning. Ashgate Publishing
• Murdoch, J., & Abram, S. (2002). Rationalities of planning: development versus environment in planning for housing. Ashgate Publishing

Chapter in book

• Pink, S., Ortar, N., Waltorp, K., & Abram, S. (in press). Imagining energy futures: an introduction. In S. Abram, K. Waltorp, N. Ortar, & S. Pink (Eds.), Energy Futures: Anthropocene Challenges, Emerging Technologies and Everyday Life. De Gruyter. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110745641-002
• Ling-Chin, J., Turner, B., Abram, S., Giampieri, A., But, B., Abad, A. V., & Roskilly, A. P. (2024). Hydrogen-fueled transportation as a measure for climate change mitigation: Social perspectives. . Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-443-18515-1.00005-8
• Abram, S. (2023). Promises of the past: transformations, transitions and traditions. In C. Eisler, & K. Schuchard (Eds.), Versprechen als kulturelle Konfigurationen in politischen Kontexten. Interdisziplinäre Zugänge und Perspektiven (34-46). Institut für Sächsische Geschichte und Volkskunde. https://doi.org/10.25366/2022.112
• Abram, S. (2022). Electricity as a Field for Anthropological Theorising and Research. In M. H. Bruun, A. Wahlberg, R. Douglas-Jones, C. Hasse, K. Hoeyer, D. B. Kristensen, & B. R. Winthereik (Eds.), The Palgrave Handbook of the Anthropology of Technology (741-755). (1). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-7084-8_38
• Abram, S. (2020). Inheriting Kinship: Norwegian Holiday Property as Relational Practice. In M. Holdgaard, A. Magnusdottir, & B. Selmer (Eds.), Nordic inheritance law through the ages (251-271). Brill Academic Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004435582_013
• Abram, S. (2019). Likhet Is Not Equality: Discussing Norway in English and Norwegian. In S. Bendixsen, M. Bringslid, & H. Vike (Eds.), Egalitarianism in Scandinavia. Approaches to Social Inequality and Difference (87-108). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59791-1_4
• Abram, S., & Blandy, S. (2018). Ownership and belonging in urban green space. In T. Xu, & A. Clarke (Eds.), Legal strategies for the development and protection of communal property (177-201). Oxford University Press
• Abram, S. (2017). Contemporary Obsessions with Time and the Promise of the Future. In J. F. Salazar, S. Pink, A. Irving, & J. Sjöberg (Eds.), Anthropologies and futures : researching emerging and uncertain worlds (61-82). Bloomsbury Academic
• Abram, S. (2017). Im/mobile method/ologies. In A. Elliot, R. Norum, & N. Salazar (Eds.), Methodologies of mobility : ethnography and experiment (195-200). Berghahn Books
• Abram, S. (2017). Learning to Meet (or How to talk to Chairs). In J. Sandler, & R. Thedvall (Eds.), Meeting ethnography : meetings as key technologies of contemporary governance, development, and resistance (46-68). Routledge
• Abram, S. (2016). Jokkmokk: Rapacity and Resistance in Sápmi. In G. Huggan, & L. Jensen (Eds.), Postcolonial Perspectives on the European High North. Palgrave. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-58817-3_3
• Abram, S., & Pink, S. (2015). Introduction: Mediating Publics and Anthropology. In S. Pink, & S. Abram (Eds.), Media, anthropology and public engagement (1-22). Berghan Books
• Abram, S. (2014). ‘Bias Binding’: Re-Calling Creativity in Qualitative Research. In C. Smart, J. Hockey, & A. James (Eds.), The Craft of Knowledge: Experiences of Living with Data (21-38). Palgrave Macmillan
• Abram, S. (2014). Rénovation urbaine et participation en Angleterre: enseignements et comparaisons. In A. Deboulet, & C. Lelévrier (Eds.), Rénovation Urbaine en Europe (85-96). Presses Universitaires de Rennes
• Abram, S., & Weszkalnys, G. (2013). Elusive Promises: Planning in the Contemporary World. An introduction. In S. Abram, & G. Weszkalnys (Eds.), Elusive Promises: Planning in the Contemporary World (1-34). Berghahn Journals
• Abram, S. (2012). ‘Planlegging i et Kulturperspektiv’ [Culural perspectives on planning]. In N. Aarsæther, E. Falleth, T. Nyseth, & R. Kristiansen (Eds.), Utfordringer for norsk planlegging [Challenges for Norwegian Planning]. Høyskoleforlaget
• Abram, S. (2008). Public participation and the problem of exclusion. In C. Garston, & M. Lindh de Montoya (Eds.), Transparency in a New Global Order (201-222). Edward Elgar Publishing
• Abram, S. (2007). Participatory depoliticisation: the bleeding heart of neo-liberalism. In C. Neveu (Ed.), Cultures et pratiques participatives: perspectives comparatives (113-133). L'Harmattan
• Abram, S. (2007). Loyalty and Politics: The discourses of liberalisation. In S. Ardener, & F. Moore (Eds.), Professional Identities: Policy and Practice in Business and Bureaucracy (87-107). Berghahn Journals
• Abram, S. (2004). The Smell of Money: minor risks and olfactory sensibilities – the anatomy of a protest. In Å. Boholm, & R. Löftstedt (Eds.), Facility Siting: Risk, Power and Identity in Land-use Planning (72-88). Earthscan
• Abram, S. (2003). Gazing on Rurality. In P. Cloke (Ed.), Country Visions (32-48). Harlow: Pearson
• Abram, S. (2003). Anthropologies in policies, anthropologies in places. In T. Hylland Eriksen (Ed.), Globalisation: Studies in Anthropology (138-157). Pluto Press
• Abram, S. (2001). Amongst Professionals: Working with Pressure Groups and Local Authorities. In D. Gellner, & E. Hirsch (Eds.), Inside Organisations: Anthropologists at Work (183-203). Berg
• Murdoch, J., Abram, S., & Marsden, T. (1999). Technical Expertise and Public Participation in Planning for Housing: ‘Playing the Numbers Game. In G. Stoker (Ed.), Power and Participation: The new politics of British local governance (198-214). Macmillan
• Abram, S. (1998). Anthropological Perspectives on Development. In S. Abram, & J. Waldren (Eds.), Anthropological Perspectives on Development: Interests, Identities and Sentiments in Conflict (1-17). (EASA). Routledge
• Murdoch, J., Abram, S., & Marsden, T. (1998). Planning by Numbers: migration and statistical governance. In P. Boyle, & K. Halfacree (Eds.), Migration into Rural Areas: Theories and Issues (236-251). Wiley
• Abram, S., & Waldren, J. (1997). Tourists and Tourism. In S. Abram, J. Waldren, & D. Macleod (Eds.), Tourists and Tourism: Identifying with People and Places (1-12). Berg
• Abram, S. (1996). European Reactions to the Tourist Gaze: A view from the Deep Green Heart of France. In J. Boissevain (Ed.), Coping with Tourists (174-203). Berghahn Journals

Edited book

• Abram, S., Winthereik, B. R., & Yarrow, T. (Eds.). (2019). Electrifying Anthropology: exploring electrical practices and infrastructures. Bloomsbury
• Abram, S., & Weszkalnys, G. (Eds.). (2013). Elusive promises: planning in the contemporary world. Berghahn Journals
• Abram, S., & Waldren, J. (Eds.). (1998). Anthropological Perspectives on Local Development: Knowledge and Sentiments in Conflict. Routledge
• Abram, S., Waldren, J., & Macleod, D. (Eds.). (1997). Tourists and Tourism: Identifying with People and Places. Berg

Journal Article

• Abram, S. (online). Planning and public-making in municipal government. Focaal: Journal of Global and Historical Anthropology, 21-34
• Abram, S. (2024). Problem solving as selective blindness. Critique of Anthropology, 44(3), 256-275. https://doi.org/10.1177/0308275x241269606
• Silvast, A., Virtanen, M., & Abram, S. (2024). Habits Over Routines: Remarks on Control Room Practices and Control Room Studies. Computer Supported Cooperative Work, 33, 39–58. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10606-022-09460-5
• Abram, S., & Lien, M. E. (2023). Kinning and De-kinning: Houses, Heirlooms and the Reproduction of Family. Social Anthropology, 31(3), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.3167/saas.2023.310302
• Abram, S. (2023). Decarbonising Tenants. Housing Finance International, Spring,
• Lien, M. E., & Abram, S. (2023). Passing It On: Kinship, Temporality and Moral Personhood in Norwegian ‘Hytte’ Succession. Social Anthropology, 31(3), 33-50. https://doi.org/10.3167/saas.2023.310304
• Silvast, A., Abram, S., & Copeland, C. (2023). Energy systems integration as research practice. Technology Analysis and Strategic Management, 35(3), 302-313. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537325.2021.1974376
• Abram, S., Atkins, E., Dietzel, A., Jenkins, K., Kiamba, L., Kirshner, J., Kreienkamp, J., Parkhill, K., Pegram, T., & Santos Ayllón, L. M. (2022). Just Transition: A whole-systems approach to decarbonisation. Climate Policy, 22(8), 1033 - 1049. https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2022.2108365
• Silvast, A., Laes, E., Abram, S., & Bombaerts, G. (2020). What do energy modellers know? An ethnography of epistemic values and knowledge models. Energy Research and Social Science, 66, Article 101495. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2020.101495
• Hanmer, C., & Abram, S. (2017). Actors, networks, and translation hubs: Gas central heating as a rapid socio-technical transition in the United Kingdom. Energy Research and Social Science, 34, 176-183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2017.03.017
• Abram, S. (2017). Contradiction in contemporary political life: meeting bureaucracy in Norwegian municipal government. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 23(S1), 27-44. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9655.12592
• Abram, S., & Norum, R. (2016). An archaeology of Arctic travel journalism. Studies in Travel Writing, 20(3), 272-284. https://doi.org/10.1080/13645145.2016.1230292
• Abram, S. (2016). Culture? And Planning?. Planning Theory & Practice, 17(4), 654-657. https://doi.org/10.1080/14649357.2016.1230318
• Abram, S. (2014). Values of property (properties of value): capitalization of kinship in Norway. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 12(3), 253-266. https://doi.org/10.1080/14766825.2014.938854
• Abram, S. (2014). The time it takes: temporalities of planning. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 20(S1), 129 -147. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9655.12097
• Abram, S. (2012). The ‘Normal’ Cabin’s revenge: Building Norwegian (Holiday) Home-Cultures. Home Cultures: The Journal of Architecture Design and Domestic Space, 9(3), 233-256
• Ween, G., & Abram, S. (2012). The Norwegian Trekking Association: Trekking as constituting the Nation
• Abram, S., & Lien, M. (2011). Performing Nature at World’s Ends. Ethnos, 76(1), 3-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/00141844.2010.544855
• Abram, S., & Weszkalnys, G. (2011). Introduction: Anthropologies of planning-Temporality, imagination, and ethnography. Focaal: Journal of Global and Historical Anthropology, 2011(61), 3-18. https://doi.org/10.3167/fcl.2011.610101
• Abram, S. (2011). Kulttuuri ja yhdyskuntasuunnittelu – mitä antropologia voisi tuoda suunnittelun tutkimukseen
• Abram, S. (2007). Living Through Regeneration - Capturing Multiple Stakeholder Perceptions to Enrich the Qualitative Research Methods Curriculum. Transactions (Centre for Education in the Built Environment), 4(2), 67-84. https://doi.org/10.11120/tran.2007.04020067
• Abram, S. (2005). Introduction: science/technology as politics by other means. Focaal: Journal of Global and Historical Anthropology, 2005(46), https://doi.org/10.3167/092012906780786816
• Abram, S., & Cowell, R. (2004). Learning Policy-The Contextual Curtain and Conceptual Barriers. European Planning Studies, 12, 209-228
• Abram, S., & Cowell, R. (2004). Dilemmas of implementation: `integration' and `participation' in Norwegian and Scottish local government. Environment and planning. C, Government and policy, 22, 701-720. https://doi.org/10.1068/c0350
• Abram, S. (2004). Personality and professionalism in a Norwegian district council. Planning Theory, 3, 21-40
• Abram, S. (2000). Planning the Public: Some Comments on Empirical Problems for Planning Theory. Journal of Planning Education and Research, 19, 351-357
• Murdoch, J., Abram, S., & Marsden, T. (1999). Modalities of planning: a reflection on the persuasive powers of the development plan. Town Planning Review, 70, 191-212
• Murdoch, J., & Abram, S. (1998). Defining the limits of community governance. Journal of Rural Studies, 14(1), 41-50
• Abram, S., Murdoch, J., & Marsden, T. (1996). The social construction of `Middle England': the politics of participation in forward planning. Journal of Rural Studies, 12(4), 353-364

Other (Digital/Visual Media)

• Abram, S. (2005). Living through Regeneration. 28 minute documentary film produced in collaboration with Claire Allam and funded through LDMU Learning and Teaching Grant scheme
• Abram, S. (2002). Much Ado About Norway. 34 minute documentary film (VHS) produced in collaboration with Cinema Oslo

Other (Print)

• Abram, S. (2010). Lokalpolitisk praksis i norge (Political practice in Norway)
• Abram, S. (2008). Reproducing the Norwegian Myth: Egalitarianism and the Normal
• Abram, S. (2001). Community Planning in Norway and Scotland: Introduction and Findings
• Abram, S. (2001). Casting the net wide: lessons from Norway for community strategies
• Abram, S. (1998). Why do people have faith in planning? Rationalities and realities in the British planning system
• Murdoch, J., & Abram, S. (1998). Building Jerusalem as a Suburb
• Abram, S. (1996). Findings: Middle Class Representation in Strategic Planning
• Abram, S., Marsden, T., & Murdoch, J. (1996). Modalities of Planning: Arenas, Actors and Strategies of persuasion in the development plan review
• Abram, S., Marsden, T., & Murdoch, J. (1996). Constructing Middle England: The politics of participation in forward planning
• Abram, S., Murdoch, J., Marsden, T., & Wales, U. O. (1996). Participation in strategic forward planning in Buckinghamshire: the making of 'middle England'?