Julia is a doctoral researcher in social and cultural anthropology in project C02 “Energy Futures” of the CRC228 “Future Rural Africa” under the supervision of Dr. Clemens Greiner. Her background is in market anthropology, consumer culture theory, and STS. In 2021, she finished her M.Sc in Market Anthropology at the University of Southern Denmark in Odense at the top of her class. In her master thesis she concentrated on communities of practice, how one “green” practice can have completely distinct meanings for different people and how it can travel from one edge of society to the other. In her Bachelor thesis she had focused on the Danish-German border region, especially on perceptions of the border and resulting (non) relationships. Before getting into academia, Julia did a vocational training as a European Secretary in Würzburg and has since worked as a tutor for global learning and in corporate finance, in managing international projects and in development cooperation. Having lived and worked in four countries on three continents, she is fluent in German, English, Spanish, Danish and currently learning Swahili.

The welcoming atmosphere at the GSSC makes it easy to openly discuss ideas or ask questions. Doors are usually open, which is great for young scholars to get help in a fast and unbureaucratic way. The GSSC provides a multitude of chances to meet others with similar interests. Moreover, regular events facilitate networking, and the variety of distinct projects is a great source of inspiration.

Steaming Epistemic Mobilities: How geothermal knowledge travels and the role of women experts in Kenya

Latest since the Russian war on Ukraine started, it has become very clear in Europe that the strengthening of renewable energies is not only important for seemingly “far away” consequences of climate change but relevant here and now. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, with the establishment of online classes and home offices energy inequalities and disparities became painfully clear in many countries. When one needs internet around the clock in order to work or study, electricity supply needs to be stable, robust and reliable. During the past two years, industrial and commercial demand for electric energy in Kenya has fallen due to the pandemic, resulting in high electricity prices. However, the Kenyan energy sector has developed very dynamically in recent years with great progress in electrification and a shift towards renewable energies, making Kenya a renewable energy pioneer in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The proposed project explores visions and expert networks related to the Kenyan energy intensification by focusing on the development of geothermal infrastructures. The international education of Kenyan experts knits close ties towards countries like Iceland, the international leader in geothermal energy production. Kenya has also started educating foreign experts. My interest is how these emerging, transnational communities of practice produce knowledge and spread ideas, and how these visions travel and are translated into different contexts. Furthermore, geothermal applications besides electricity production could have a direct impact on local social and economic development on local communities.

A special focus of this dissertation will lie on women. Since women are considered important in inducing change and energy poverty is more likely to effect women, there is a huge need for female insight on designing energy interventions – a traditionally male dominated area of expertise. This project will contribute to the understanding of everyday practices, aspirations, and epistemologies in an emerging professional group, their communication of knowledge and how they make the future.

Preliminary Research Questions

1. What visions of the future are associated with geothermal development? By whom and where do these visions originate and are developed? Is there a specific female point of view?
2. What (international) networks and socio-economic conditions constitute the community of geothermal experts? How does knowledge travel and gets fitted to the area?
3. What are the anticipated and observed impacts of geothermal development and its direct-use applications on social-ecological transformation?