Ena Vojvodic

Regaining trust in energy decisions and policies: The roles of science

Department of Social Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Social sciences, University of Groningen

Supervisors: Prof. dr. T. Postmes, dr. N.A. Busscher

Background

Ena earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Zagreb, and her research master’s degree from the University of Groningen where she specialized in environmental psychology. During her studies, she investigated the social impacts of gas extraction in the region while working at the Knowledge Platform. Her master’s thesis looked into the temporal evolution of risk perception in the context of gas-induced earthquakes. Currently, in her PhD, she examines the past and potential future roles science plays in energy transitions.

Content

Underneath Groningen the largest gas field of Europe is located. Gas has been extracted here since the 1960s. Decades later, induced earthquakes began causing widespread damage and unsafety (Bakema et al., 2018; Voort & Vanclay, 2015). The recent Parliamentary Inquiry Committee described the role of science in the Groningen case as “objectionable” as scientists and policy makers erroneously stated for several decades that Groningen was safe (Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal, 2023, p. 36, 72 and 73). Communication about the (lack of) availability of knowledge was not transparent, the industry held and actively maintained a knowledge monopoly for years and scientists and policy makers erroneously stated for several decades that Groningen was safe, although this was not the case. The inquiry also makes recommendations for how science needs to improve in future. In this proposal we want to pick up those challenges.

The proposed research projects examines the role of science in energy projects. More specifically, in the Groningen gas extraction case, and in the transition from traditional carbon energy to new renewable sources. These developments are studied in two cases with seemingly opposite trust relationships regarding fossil energy production: Groningen, the Netherlands and Stavanger region, Norway. Following a literature review, interviews with government, corporative, scientific and resident organizations will be conducted. The role of science and science communication, with regards to differing trust relationships, will be empirically studied in the proposed cases. Finally, knowledge gained from the case studies will be integrated and exchanged with the wider community through workshops. Our global goal in this project is to learn about what science content and communication can contribute to a restoration of trust between people, government and industry.

Publications

Postmes, T., Busscher, N., Hupkes, S., De Julio Pardo, A., & Vojvodic, E. (2024). The Groningen Gas Field: The Role of Science in a Slow-Onset Disaster. In C. Bieder, G. Grote, & J. Weyer (Eds.), Climate Change and Safety in High-Risk Industries (1 ed., pp. 63-75). (SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-56995-1_7

Schreuder, W., Busscher, N., Postmes, T., Zijlstra, A., & Vojvodic, E. (2023). Insight into Impact: The Societal Consequences of Gas Extraction in Groningen and Ways of Thinking for the Future. Kennisplatform Leefbaar en Kansrijk Groningen.