Societal and cultural research opportunities at a deep UK geological carbon dioxide storage research facility: results from a social science ‘sandpit’ discussion

Abstract

This report describes the outcomes of a sandpit activity in December 2021, and initial follow up discussions, designed to bring together academics from across and beyond the UK, as well as members of public sector organisations. The intended outcomes were to discuss and develop societal and cultural research opportunities as part of a scoping study for a UK CO2 storage research facility. These outcomes are a research community view that inform the questions and knowledge gaps that a research facility would address. The sandpit is the first of many activities that will enable us to build an evidence base to demonstrate how a research facility would benefit from societal and cultural research and unlock new research themes. In particular, how the identified research themes support the UK’s transition to a sustainable future.