University climate experts to host family event at windfarm
The specialists will welcome the public at a free drop-in event as part of the Festival of Social Science
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Energy and environment experts from the University of Stirling will host a family-friendly event this month at the UK’s largest onshore windfarm, Whitelee Windfarm.
The specialists will welcome the public at a free drop-in event focused on the climate, energy and the environment, from 11:00am to 1:30pm on Saturday, 24 October. Through demonstrations and creative activities, the Environment and Energy Showcase will address everything related to being climate-smart.
Dr Jennifer Dickie and Dr Nathan Wood, both of Stirling’s Faculty of Natural Sciences, will be engaging with the public on their research project JUST Systems. They are currently exploring community-led transitions to net zero, focusing on a wide range of issues including heat networks, community-owned energy, home energy improvements, and healthcare. At this event, they will be showcasing some of their work in Clackmannanshire on the role community gardens can play in transitioning to net zero and building fairer, climate-resilient futures.
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Senior Lecturer in Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology
We are excited again to be part of the popular Festival of Social Science, which is our chance to share and celebrate with the public how much social science makes a difference to our lives.
Dr Nic Dickson, a social researcher, educator and artist, will be engaging with the public using interactive creative methods, including making lino prints, on themes of the environment, climate, and energy.
Dr Sandra Engstrom, Senior Lecturer in Social Work, will discuss the links between people’s experiences and the climate crisis, and different ways research can acknowledge and collaborate with the affected individuals and communities.
The event is part of the hugely successful Festival of Social Science, which runs UK-wide from 17 October to 7 November. This is the University of Stirling’s fourth year taking part in the Festival, as a way to share its research and expertise with local communities. This year's Festival theme is money, finance and the cost of living.
Whitelee Windfarm, located on Eaglesham Moor, 20 minutes from central Glasgow, has 215 turbines generating up to 539 megawatts of electricity – enough to power over 350,000 homes. It features more than 130 kilometres of trails to explore, on foot, by cycle or by horse, with free parking and free entry to the Visitor Centre.
Housing experts
The University will also hold a free event aimed at housing professionals, Adapting Housing for a Changing Future, on Wednesday, 4 November. The two-hour hybrid event will take place online and on the University of Stirling campus.
Four experts in housing and sociology - Professor Peter Matthews, Professor Vikki McCall, Professor Lesley Palmer and Dr Vanicka Arora - will discuss their research and share lessons for adapting our housing stock to a changing and uncertain future. The event is open to housing experts and the public.
Dr Hannah Graham of the University of Stirling, and part of the team organising the Festival, said: “We are excited again to be part of the popular Festival of Social Science, which is our chance to share and celebrate with the public how much social science makes a difference to our lives. Huge thanks to Whitelee Windfarm for this year’s collaboration, which I know will be a big draw for the public, families especially. Separately, our housing and sociology experts will address issues high on the public and political agenda: adapting housing stock for the future.”
Ideas that shape the future
The University of Stirling Festival events are supported by the Stirling Social Science Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) which promotes the University’s social science research collaborations with partners and communities. They are part of the UK-wide ESRC Festival of Social Science 2026 and were made possible thanks to funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Stian Westlake, ESRC Executive Chair, said: "This year’s theme of money, finance and the cost of living speaks to issues affecting households across the country, while the Festival also shines a light on topics ranging from health and education to artificial intelligence and climate change.
"I encourage everyone to explore the programme and take part. Whether you are curious about how the economy works, interested in the future of technology, or simply looking for a fresh perspective on the world around you, the Festival is an opportunity to engage with the ideas and evidence that will help shape our future."
For more information visit ESRC Festival of Social Science 2026.
