Dr Sabine Hielscher
Sabine Hielscher joined SPRU as a Research Fellow in October 2010. Her work has focused on studying grassroots innovations, which are novel activities derived from groups in civil society, for instance, community energy initiatives (Community Innovation for Sustainable Energy 2010-2013) and community-based digital fabrication workshops (Transit 2013-2015, CIED 2013-2015 and Design Research Get Lost 2015). Within CIED, Sabine has been working on the following projects: The smart meter rollout in the UK: Dynamics of expectations and Grassroots innovation in low energ digital fabrication. Prior to joining SPRU, Sabine completed a EPSRC funded PhD in Art and Design at Nottingham Trent University, and before that, she completed a BA (Hons) in Eco-Design at Goldsmiths College, London, and worked for design studios (such as the Thomas Heatherwick Studio) and several research units.
Projects
Smart meter rollout in the UK: Dynamics of expectations
Smart meters have taken on a prominent role in the UK government’s energy demand reduction plans and discourse over the past decade. What expectations have been associated with smart metering roll out and how have they changed over time? How do expectations link with governance?
Grassroots innovation in low energy digital fabrication
Rapid advances in open-source, small-scale digital design and fabrication technologies are opening up new possibilities for decentralised, networked, user-led manufacturing. A confluence of new technologies (e.g. the 3-D printing ‘revolution’), new business models (e.g. ‘personalised manufacturing’), and new social movements (e.g. ‘open-source, commons-based, peer-production’), are prompting claims about the ‘reconfiguration’ of production and consumption. For …
