CPPU is a multidisciplinary research group working at the intersection of the social sciences with science and engineering – exploring the human and societal aspects of sustainability.  Based in UCC’s School of Engineering and Architecture, the group is affiliated to the UCC Sustainability Institute and is a founding partner of UCC Futures - Collective Social Futures. 

CPPU conducts engaged research focused on the theme of Society, Sustainability and Energy. It has a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary team comprising researchers with diverse backgrounds including sociology, human geography, political science, environmental science and engineering.

The group has a successful track record in obtaining competitive research funding from EU, transnational and national agencies. Its research portfolio includes projects linked to one or more of the following categories: 

• Energy citizenship and democracy, e.g., co-designing energy futures with communities, social mobilisation around energy infrastructure, etc.
• Consumption practices and behaviors, e.g, mitigating household energy poverty, understanding the lived experience of energy, etc.
• Public engagement and education (EPE) associated with: carbon capture and storage, marine renewable energy, etc.
• Sustainability of the built environment e.g., occupant involvement in renovation design, business model development for energy efficient buildings, etc.
• Energy transitions, e.g., climate action plans, environmental policy integration, enabling energy communities, etc.

 A list of current and selected recent research projects can be found here.