Ben Eggink has been awarded NWO doctoral grant for teachers for research into engaging residents in making homes more sustainable

Lecturer Ben Eggink has been awarded a doctoral grant by the NWO to carry out PhD research over the next five years into democratic activities in the transition towards more sustainable housing. He is looking in particular at the way in which public sector professionals engage residents in this process and how they make moral considerations.

We face a major challenge in the energy transition. Only 1 per cent of the built environment has been made sustainable, whilst the European Union’s target is to be climate-neutral by 2050. The greatest benefits can be achieved for vulnerable households: lower energy bills, better indoor air quality and improved general well-being. Yet it is precisely in vulnerable neighbourhoods that the process of making homes more sustainable is progressing very slowly.

An evaluation of the first projects shows that residents often feel their voices are not being heard in the sustainability process, become more distrustful and fear that they will ultimately foot the bill. That is why it is important for local authorities to involve residents in the energy transition. The involvement of various public sector professionals is crucial in this regard, such as the local authority’s area manager, the housing association’s housing adviser or the community worker from a welfare organisation. They are in direct contact with residents and can implement policy from the residents’ perspective.

Gymnastics

Eggink is keen to know how they go about it, what considerations they take into account, and what this demands of them. “The idea is that they engage with residents and listen actively, that they recognise the emotions behind residents’ reactions and work together to bring about change. But in their day-to-day work, these professionals encounter all sorts of challenges. There are too few resources, time is limited, and residents’ needs vary. You also have to invest yourself in the process, and you’re the one making the decisions. So, to actually achieve anything, as a professional you need a sort of ‘gymnastics of the self’. What does that look like?”

Eggink first intends to compile an overview of around 30 existing, relevant practices, with the help of experts. He then plans to delve deeper into the subject in his research. He hopes to be able to support professionals in the public sector in their work using the findings of his research, and to incorporate the competencies into teaching programmes for future professionals.

Ben Eggink is a lecturer in Social Work at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and is involved with the research group on Coordination of Metropolitan Issues. He will carry out his PhD research through the graduate school of the University of Humanistic Studies.

The Doctoral Grant for Teachers is funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and will be awarded by NWO until 2027. This fellowship gives teachers the opportunity to further their professional development and strengthens the link between universities and schools.