1. Where Next for Wind? Explaining National Variations in Wind Power Deployment Welcome and Introduction Dr Peter Strachan, Aberdeen Business School p.a.strachan@rgu.ac.uk p.a.strachan@rgu.ac.uk

2. ESRC Funded/five person team: Richard Cowell, School of City and Regional Planning, Cardiff University Geraint Ellis, School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Queens University Belfast Joseph Szarka, Department of European Studies and Modern Languages, University of Bath Charles Warren, School of Geography and Geosciences, University of St Andrews

3. Background International Sustainable Development Research Conference, Wind Power Track, June, 2005 (Chair: Dr Peter Strachan) Greening of Industry Network Conference, Wind Power Track, July, 2006 (Chairs: me & Dr Richard Cowell) Networking activities and research outputs arising from these and related activities have been significant. Time to extend capacity; widen reach; re-assess the core questions

4. Aim The aim of the seminar series is to drive forward critical investigations of the factors affecting the deployment of wind power, improve the evidence base, and deepen the pool of lessons for policy and management orientated research

5. Objectives 1.To take a multi-disciplinary approach to explain national and regional variations in wind power deployment 2.To provide a forum for connecting social science and other researchers, and to assist in the development of early career academics 3.To ensure constructive engagement between academic and practitioner stakeholders 4.To inform wider policy and academic debates about European environmental governance, and renewable energy deployment

6. Forthcoming and Past Seminar Events Explaining National Variations in Wind Power Deployment, February 2008, Aberdeen Policy Instruments – Financing and Support mechanisms, May 2008, Bath Wind Power and ‘The Planning Problem’, November 2008, Belfast Limits to Wind?, May 2009, University of St Andrews