Ortwin Renn - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Ortwin Renn

I am the scientific director at the International Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) in Potsdam (Germany). I also serve as scientific director of the non-profit company DIALOGIK, a research institute for the investigation of communication and participation processes. In addition I am profesor for environmental sociology and technology assessment at the University of Stuttgart, Adjunct Professor for “Integrated Risk Analysis” at Stavanger University (Norway), Honorary Professor at the Technical University Munich and Affiliate Professor for “Risk Governance” at Beijing Normal University. My research interests include risk governance (analysis perception, communication), stakeholder and public involvement in environmental decision making, transformation processes in economics, politics and society and sustainable development.I have a doctoral degree in social psychology from the University of Cologne. My profssional career is characterized by teaching and research positions at Clark University (Worcester, USA), the Swiss Institute of Technology (Zuerich) and the Center of Technology Assessment (Stuttgart). My honours include the National Cross of Merit Order, an honorary doctorate from the Swiss Institute of Technology, the “Outstanding Research Award” of the Society for Integrated Disaster and Risk Management (IDRiM) and the “Distinguished Achievement Award” of the Society for Risk Analysis (SRA). I am a member of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences (Berlin), of the Board of Directors of the German National Academy of Technology and Engineering (Acatech) and of numerous scientific and academic advisory councils. In the past, I served as member of the “Scientific and Technical Advisory Board” of EU President Barroso, on the panel on “Public Participation in Environmental Assessment and Decision Making” of the U.S.-National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C. (from 2005-2007) and on the German Federal Government’s “Commission on Energy Ethics after Fukushima” (2011). In 2012, I was elected President of the International Society for Risk Analysis (SRA). I have published more than 30 monographs and over 250 peer reviewed articles (Hirsch factor 80). My most prominent English publication is the book “Risk Governance. Coping with Uncertainty in a Complex World (London: Earthscan 2008).

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Papers by Ortwin Renn

Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG eBooks, 2012

Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG eBooks, 2021

Systemic Practice and Action Research, May 11, 2023

transcript Verlag eBooks, Dec 2, 2022

Systemic Practice and Action Research

This paper addresses the need for effective and fair codes of conduct for public-good-oriented tr... more This paper addresses the need for effective and fair codes of conduct for public-good-oriented transdisciplinary processes. These processes are characterized by the production of socially robust orientations (SoROs) through mutual learning and developing better action strategies by merging knowledge from practice and science. We argue that transdisciplinary processes should be governed by an appropriate social rule system that comprises codes of conduct for collaboration (CCC) in transdisciplinary discourses. In our view, participants in a transdisciplinary process must (1) follow rules of mutuality between science and practice (accepting the otherness of the other) and (2) enable the use and integration of knowledge from science and practice (e.g., through responsibility and/or co-leadership at all levels of a project). This requires (3) a protected discourse arena similar to an expanded Chatham House Rule that facilitates the generation of groundbreaking, novel ideas for sustainab...

European Journal of Futures Research

Springer: New York, 2018

New energies form new energy landscapes (Apostol, Palmer, Pasqualetti, Smardon, & Sullivan, 2016;... more New energies form new energy landscapes (Apostol, Palmer, Pasqualetti, Smardon, & Sullivan, 2016; Gailing & Leibenath, 2013). Energy carriers converge within space and open up leeway and scope for design. Different spaces are affected: offshore and onshore, plains and mountains, waters, volcanic areas, coastal regions, deserts, etc. Different energy sources and types of technology are used and integrated through grids. Grids are increasingly governed as smart energy systems equipped with smart meters and apps etc., linked with smart mobility.

Energy Policy, 2021

Abstract Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) is now a pertinent energy-related matter ... more Abstract Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) is now a pertinent energy-related matter since most of the nuclear reactors built during nuclear renaissance will soon reach the end of their operational life. Drawing on the theoretical framework based on elements of the Value-Belief-Norm theory, psychometric paradigm, deliberative theories of democracy and in the levels of participation as defined by Arnstein's ladder, this is the first large-scale study addressing the question of who is willing to participate in decommissioning-related decision-making procedures. Data for this study were collected via a large public opinion survey (N = 1028) in Belgium in 2015, and were analyzed using Structural Equations Modelling (SEM) as a method. Results show that interest on the topic of decommissioning as well as radiological risk perception have direct effects on participation intention. Furthermore, we found that low trust in the nuclear industry, being ideologically leftist, having more negative attitudes towards nuclear energy, and living in the vicinity of a nuclear installation influences participation intention indirectly, through interest and risk perception. Based on these findings we point out to some challenges that can appear in decision-making processes and some recommendations on how to prevent or solve them.

International Journal of Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources, 2020

Springer eBooks, Oct 1, 2016