20 Years of IREES: Lightning Interview with Edith Chassein

Edith Chassein, at IREES from 2012 to 2022, in our lightning interview:

1️⃣ Edith, what did you do at IREES?
I started at IREES as a student assistant and most recently worked as a senior researcher in the SOWI (social sciences) business unit. I designed surveys and conducted group interviews, and developed communication strategies and recommendations for action, both at regional and international level.

2️⃣ Which favourite project has stayed with you?
Most recently I had the opportunity to lead the Horizon 2020 project “PATH2LC” (https://www.path2lc.eu/), which I thoroughly enjoyed. We were able to look for creative ways to build good international cooperation during the coronavirus pandemic — and in my view we succeeded. I personally learned a great deal from analysing the SECAPs, and above all from the concrete examples in other countries of how to advance the municipal energy transition towards low carbon.

3️⃣ What has changed in the energy sector since then, and how do you look ahead?
Political conditions mean that it no longer feels as straightforward as it did when I started at IREES to anchor energy efficiency and renewable energy in people’s minds and in their actions. That makes it all the more important to keep at it — even though I am currently working towards a better society at a different level.

IREES – RESEARCH FOR FUTURE 🌍🍃