Journal Articles
Challenges and opportunities for re-framing resource use policy with practice theories: The change points approach
Published in Global Environmental Change in April 2020.
Can practice theory make a difference to policy? In this article, we contribute to a vexed debate on that question.
We draw on our learning from a series of projects working in collaboration with key policy partners to bring evidence from practice research to inform policy on reducing resource consumption in the home, and development and application of a workshop methodology for rethinking policy challenge, the Change Points approach.
We argue that, with close engagement with policy professionals and their collective practices, it is possible to provide a partial and pragmatic but nevertheless effective translation of key distinctive insights from practice theories and related research, to reframe policy problems and hence to identify spaces for effecting change for sustainability.
Watson M, A Browne, D Evans, M Foden, C Hoolohan, L Sharp (2020) ‘Challenges and opportunities for re-framing resource use policy with social practice theories: The Change Points approach’ accepted for Global Environmental Change 62 102072
available open access at – doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2020.102072
This paper, lead authored by Claire Hoolahan with Alison Browne and published in Design Studies, develops connections between design thinking and social practice theories, presenting a toolkit intended to support the development of sustainability interventions and policies capable of encouraging sustainable practices. Key developments in design thinking and social practice theories are critically examined, and a toolkit is presented that sensitively combines their conceptual and methodological insights. The toolkit is one of the first resources that enables practitioners to operationalise social practice theories without substantial prior engagement or training. It thereby offers an accessible resource to support the design of initiatives that could disrupt resource intensive practices and support the emergence and normalisation of less resource intensive alternatives. This paper specifically addresses the contribution the toolkit makes to advancing discussions regarding practice-oriented design.
The water-energy-food nexus at home: New opportunities for policy interventions in household sustainability
A key output from the nexus project work, lead authored by Mike Foden with the rest of the project team, published in The Geographical Journal.
This paper contributes to the nascent transdisciplinary research agenda of translating home practices research into wider conceptualisations of “intervention”, with a specific orientation towards academic and non-academic stakeholders who are interested in influencing systems of sustainable consumption and production within, and across, the WEF sectors.
Foden M, Browne AL, Evans DM, Sharp L, Watson M. The water–energy–food nexus at home: New opportunities for policy interventions in household sustainability. Geogr J. 2018;00:1–13. https://doi.org/10.1111/geoj.12257
Reports
The Reshaping the Domestic Nexus project produced 4 reports for different partner organisations. It was through the process of co-producing with partners the presentation of evidence that the change points idea was developed, and its potential for development identified by partners.
Fats, oils, grease and kitchen practices implications for policy and intervention
doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.13146.24005
This report, produced in consultation with Waterwise,is one of four reports introducing a new approach to understanding the role of everyday household practices in domestic resource consumption and addressing the policy challenges this presents. To demonstrate this ‘change points’ approach this report focuses on one such topic: household disposal of fats, oils and grease (FOG) Read more
Food waste and kitchen practices: implications for policy and intervention
doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.23212.56960
This report, developed in consultation with Defra, is one of four reports introducing a new approach to understanding the role of everyday household practices in domestic resource consumption and addressing the policy challenges this presents. To demonstrate this ‘change points’ approach this report focuses on one such topic: household food waste. Read more
Food waste, food safety and kitchen practices: implications for policy and intervention
doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.10747.62243
This report, developed in consultation with the Food Standards Agency, is one of four reports introducing a new approach to understanding the role of everyday household practices in domestic resource consumption and addressing the policy challenges this presents. To demonstrate this ‘change points’ approach this report focuses on one such topic: household food safety in relation to food waste Read more
Energy use, flexibility and domestic food practices: implications for policy and intervention.
doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.16398.46405
This report, developed in consultation with the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, is one of four reports introducing a new approach to understanding the role of everyday household practices in domestic resource consumption and addressing the policy challenges this presents. To demonstrate this ‘change points’ approach, in this report we focus on one such topic: tackling energy use in the provision of food at home. Read more
Change Points 