Inaugural Workshop on Energy Geopolitics, Governance, Socioeconomics & Environmental Sustainability Marks a Deepening of the Cluster’s Interdisciplinary Work
On 25 November 2025, the PHAETHON Centre of Excellence (CoE) hosted the inaugural thematic workshop of its new cluster on Energy Geopolitics, Governance, Socioeconomics & Environmental Sustainability at the University of Cyprus. The event marked an active deepening of the cluster’s work and convened academics, practitioners, and international partners for an interdisciplinary exchange on contemporary energy and climate governance challenges.
Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Energy Transitions
The workshop featured three thematic sessions, each addressing a distinct dimension of the energy transition and inviting discussion on the complex interplay of geopolitics, societal change, and legal frameworks.
Energy Geopolitics in the Eastern Mediterranean
Speakers explored regional energy security, geopolitical tensions and opportunities, and the pursuit of environmental and energy justice. Presentations included:
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Savvas Papasavvas (Cyprus National Guard) on AI-based decision support for energy security risk management in the Eastern Mediterranean;
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Amb. Michael Harari (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, online) on regional tensions alongside emerging opportunities;
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Costas M. Constantinou (University of Cyprus) on energy and environmental justice for unrepresented peoples, nations, and groups;
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Yaroslava Marusyk (University of Groningen) on Cyprus’s evolving position within EU energy transition governance amid global geopolitical rivalries.
Social and Psychological Dimensions of Energy
This session examined behavioural and societal factors that influence public engagement with climate and energy issues.
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Georgia Panayiotou (University of Cyprus) presented behavioural science approaches to studying person–environment interactions in the context of the climate crisis and green energy transition.
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Paul Upham (University of Groningen) discussed sociotechnical embedding of energy technologies and strategies for enhancing societal readiness.
Legal Aspects of Energy and Climate Governance
Speakers addressed the legal infrastructures underpinning sustainable energy transitions and climate governance.
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Lorenzo Squintani (University of Groningen) outlined how legal research can support the PHAETHON CoE research roadmap, drawing on comparative insights from the Netherlands.
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Sophie Nyborg & Tom Cronin (Technical University of Denmark, online) explored the role of energy communities in mediating user–designer relations and advancing energy justice.
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Ioanna Hadjiyianni (University of Cyprus) highlighted the importance of environmental rule of law, from strengthening local participation to addressing the global impacts of EU climate governance.
Acknowledging Key Contributors
The workshop was spearheaded by Prof. Constantinos Christofides (University of Cyprus), whose leadership shaped the design and delivery of this inaugural thematic event. Prof. Klaus Hubacek (University of Groningen) provided opening remarks and contributed ongoing support for the cluster’s development. Their efforts, alongside those of the invited speakers, created a constructive platform for interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration.
Looking Ahead
This inaugural workshop lays the groundwork for a continuing series of activities within the thematic cluster. Through sustained collaboration, the cluster aims to advance evidence-based research on the geopolitical, social, and legal aspects of sustainable energy transitions and contribute to informed policy development at national, regional, and European levels.
