In search of a Just Transition: Taking a stakeholder engagement perspective
A guest lecture from Professor Fran Ackermann, John Curtin Distinguished Professor in the School of Management, Curtin Business School
- Event Time
- 30 Apr 16:00 - 30 Apr 17:00
- Event Location
- Alliance Manchester Business School
- Event Type
- Business speakers, Online, Research workshops and seminars
A Just Transition has been defined by the IPCC as one that is inclusive of all stakeholders when switching from a high carbon to a low carbon economy.
It has many of the characteristics of a Grand Challenge as it requires taking a systems perspective, effectively involving an extensive range of stakeholders, constantly negotiating direction, and inspiring commitment over a lengthy period. Engagement is critical but challenging.
This presentation reflects on four industry focused research projects, all within the energy/resources industry, each seeking to facilitate the transition. It discusses processes used, challenges experienced and options drawing on research from management science, information systems, stakeholder theory and negotiation.
Fran Ackermann
Dr Fran Ackermann is a John Curtin Distinguished Professor within the Faculty of Business and Law, Curtin University, Perth Australia. She is currently investigating stakeholder engagement – both from the perspective of attaining/retaining social licence and from the stance of managing Grand Challenges.
This work is grounded in her work in both strategy and project management which itself stems from an interest in messy complex problems. Through incorporating modelling techniques such as causal mapping (a technique for managing complex qualitative data) along with technologies such as group support systems (software tools enabling group productivity and anonymity), Fran has developed an inclusive approach, one that allows for the management of complexity and enables groups to negotiate ways forward. This approach has been used in areas such as decommissioning of O&G infrastructure, and the installation of transmission lines.
Fran has held positions at Strathclyde University, Bath University, Bordeaux Business School, The University of Western Australia, Tilburg University and has strong ties with the University of Minnesota and State University of New York. She is currently an Honorary Professor at the Alliance Manchester Business School.
She has published extensively, received in excess of $5million in research funds, has delivered executive education globally, and has been engaged as a consultant by companies worldwide. She is a strong advocate of Lewin’s principle that there is nothing as practical as good theory.
