VERSAM - Regional collaboration to achieve a fossil-free welfare society

VERSAM explores the complex collaborative dynamics between different actors involved in governing transitions at the local and regional level with an empirical focus on the transport and mobility sector in different Swedish regions. The project aims to establish new insights on how actors can interact in embedded networks to create a fossil-free society by focusing on

1. How intrinsic drivers, such as values, visions and mutual learning, shape joint climate action and, drawing on psychological theory and a political economy perspective, how governance structures and power dynamics condition their expression;

2. the use of intermediary actors to facilitate collaborations; and

3. the experiences and perceptions of individual actors in their transition work.

All three doctoral students use a qualitative approach that involves close collaboration with practice to contribute to real change processes.

The project is carried out as three PhD projects at Halmstad University, Lund University and Linköping University. Each dissertation project is carried out individually by each PhD student, but their research overlaps both empirically and conceptually, leading to collaboration within the broader framework of the project. Through their work, the PhD students will build up a unique competence of great value for the ongoing transition.

The project is part of the national graduate school in Energy systems which is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency.