Addressing social representations in socio-technical transitions with the case of shale gas

Abstract

While sociologists of science and technology have long understoodtechnological diffusion and adoption as processes of social embed-ding, the psycho-social processes involved have received relativelylittle attention in the socio-technical transitions literature. Here weconsider the value of Moscovici’s social representations theory interms of its potential contribution to a theory of socio-technicalchange, the multi-level perspective (MLP). Using fracking-derivedshale gas as a technology case study and newspaper representa-tions of the technology in Poland, Germany and the UK as data,we address and illustrate connections between the processes ofanchoring and objectification that are central to social represen-tations theory and the socio-technical dynamics observed. In so doing, we set out an approach for further work on agency in the MLP and socio-technical change processes generally, informed by a social psychological approach that aligns with structuralist concepts.