The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will convene an ad hoc committee of experts to author a concise report that provides high-level guidance on how to harness the power of interdisciplinary social and behavioral science research for understanding and facilitating an effective and equitable clean energy transition that benefits all Americans.
The study will build off needs and findings identified in previous National Academies work, including the Developing and Assessing Ideas for Social and Behavioral Research to Speed Efficient and Equitable Industrial Decarbonization Workshop (2024) and the Accelerating Decarbonization in the United States: Technology, Policy, and Societal Dimensions (2024) consensus study; and it will coordinate with and leverage related efforts within the Academies. The committee will review and synthesize existing evidence, draw on input from key stakeholders, consider assessments of relevant case studies, and identify gaps and emerging needs to develop a compelling, interdisciplinary social and behavioral science research agenda. The committee will include interdisciplinary expertise, for example, from across social and behavioral sciences, economics, engineering, policy, humanities, and physical sciences. The report will focus its findings and recommendations on near term (next 10 years) high-value social and behavioral science research investments that are most likely to “move the needle” on advancing the energy transition and will discuss opportunities for federal agencies and other partners to advance the identified research priorities. In addressing its charge, the committee will examine topics that include but are not limited to:

• Siting of new energy infrastructure – What are the social and behavioral science research needs related to siting of additional (new) infrastructure at scales necessary for the energy transition and to understanding associated impacts and benefits, balancing tradeoffs in equitable ways?
• Community engagement – What are the critical research questions in community engagement (and cognate fields of study such as stakeholder engagement, public participation, citizen engagement, co-design, deliberative democracy, etc.) that have not yet been asked or answered? How can community engagement and cultural values contribute to building capacity for energy decision-making and problem-solving, including but not limited to technology design, social innovations, and adoption/uptake? What do we need to understand better about these areas, looking forward?
• Social Adaptation – What are the key social and behavioral science research questions related to understanding and facilitating processes of societal adaptation associated with changes in energy infrastructures, products, and services?
• Systems integration and adoption – What social and behavioral science questions should be considered in making new energy systems compatible and integrating them with existing social, technical, and physical infrastructures so they align with core social values in terms of design, community benefits, methods of deployment and governance? Can we clarify an enabling theory of change for energy transitions?
• Workforce Issues – What are the critical social and behavioral science research needs related to workforce and human capacity in the equitable transition to clean energy? For example, how may legacy careers, jobs and workers be affected, and how can disruptions be mitigated? What is the range of expertise and opportunity for livelihoods related to energy transitions, and for whom? How can social science research contribute to building a sustainable, diverse energy workforce?