Inaugural Workshop of the Thematic Cluster: Energy Geopolitics, Governance, Socioeconomics & Environmental Sustainability

The PHAETHON Centre of Excellence is pleased to host the inaugural workshop of its new thematic cluster on energy geopolitics, governance, socioeconomics, and environmental sustainability.

As the first workshop in this new PHAETHON CoE thematic cluster, this event brings together leading academics and international partners for dynamic sessions spanning energy geopolitics, the social and psychological dimensions of energy, and the legal aspects of the climate crisis. 

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Event Details

Date: Tuesday, 25 November 2025 
Venue: University of Cyprus – Building ΟΕΔ 01, Amphitheatre B224

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Agenda

Introductory Remarks (15:30 – 15:40)

• Prof. Klaus Hubacek, University of Groningen

• Prof. Constantinos Christofides, University of Cyprus

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Session A | Energy Geopolitics (15:40 – 17:00)

1. Savvas Papasavvas, Cyprus National Guard
   AI Decision Support System for Energy Security Risk Management: The Case of the Eastern Mediterranean Region

2. Amb. Michael Harari, University of Ben Gurion (online)
   The Eastern Mediterranean: Tensions Alongside Opportunities

3. Costas M. Constantinou, University of Cyprus
   Pursuing Environmental and Energy Justice: The Case of Unrepresented Peoples, Nations and Groups

4. Yaroslava Marusyk, University of Groningen
   From Periphery to Strategic Frontier: Cyprus and the Governance of the EU’s Energy Transition in Times of Global Geopolitical Rivalries

Coffee Break (17:00 – 17:20)

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Session B | Social Sciences – Energy & Psychology (17:20 – 18:00)

5. Georgia Panayiotou, University of Cyprus
   Using behavioral science methods to study person-environment interactions in relation to the climate crisis and green energy transition

6. Paul Upham, University of Groningen
   Sociotechnical Embedding of Energy Technologies: PHAETHON CoE and Enhancing Societal Readiness

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Session C | Legal Aspects of Energy & the Climate Crisis (18:00 – 19:00)

7. Lorenzo Squintani, University of Groningen
   Jumpstarting the Legal Dimension of the PHAETHON CoE Research Roadmap: Possible Inspiration from the Netherlands

8. Sophie Nyborg & Tom Cronin, Technical University of Denmark (online)
   The Role of Energy Communities in the Green Energy Transition: Mediating User-Designer Relations and Energy Justice

9. Ioanna Hadjiyianni, University of Cyprus
   Ensuring Environmental Rule of Law in Energy Transition: From Local Participation to the Global Impact of EU Climate Governance