Navigating Energy History: Workers, Communities, Environmental Impact and Climate Change
Discover Britain's historical energy transitions and their impact on today's sustainable energy challenges.
Duration
4 weeksWeekly study
2 hours100% online
How it works
Navigating Energy History: Workers, Communities, Environmental Impact and Climate Change
Examine Britain's energy shifts and global impact with the University of Glasgow
Learn how Britain’s energy transitions from coal to renewables illuminate today’s sustainable challenges. Discover invaluable insights through historical analysis and firsthand accounts, enabling you to navigate the complexities of the modern energy sector.
Understand the history of Britain’s energy transitions
On this short course, you’ll explore the evolution of Britain’s energy sector since 1945. You’ll learn how shifts from coal to nuclear and oil have shaped societal change and influenced global energy trends.
Examine worker perspectives on energy sector shifts throughout the ages
Delve into the experiences and responses of workers during major transitions in the energy sector. You’ll analyse how these shifts affected employment and community dynamics, providing lessons for today’s energy professionals.
Learn to assess the interplay of politics, personal narratives, and renewable energy adoption in Britain
The short analyses the evolution of Britain’s energy politics by investigating key policies and political manoeuvres that have shaped the energy economy. You’ll examine the interconnections between environmental concerns and energy politics over the decades.
As the course progresses you’ll listen to oral testimonies from energy workers and activists, which provide firsthand narratives that reveal the personal and communal impacts of historical energy shifts. These accounts offer a human perspective on policy decisions and technological advancements.
Completing this course will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of Britain’s energy history and its relevance to contemporary energy challenges. By drawing lessons from the past, you’ll be prepared to engage with the future of the energy sector, advocating for just, equitable, and sustainable transitions.
Syllabus
Week 1
Energy in History
Introduction
In this activity, you'll learn a little bit more about the course and share a little about yourself. You'll also get to know Dr Ewan Gibbs, your tutor, and understand why he chose to research and teach energy history.
Studying Energy in History
In this section, we'll look at the importance of studying energy within history and its significance.
The Coal Age
In this activity, we'll discuss the coal age.
The Nuclear Age
Moving onto learning about the Nuclear Age of Energy History.
Additional Learning
Some extra learning using external online resources.
Week 2
Energy Workers
Introduction
Watch and overview of this week's activities.
Coal and Community
Exploring coal, community and colliery closures in Britain during the second half of the twentieth century.
From Miners to Nuclear Workers
Explore the experience of Cumbria's transition from a coal mining to nuclear economy.
Offshore and Onshore Worlds
Venture into the new world of offshore oil drilling which engulfed the North Sea in the 1970s.
Additional Learning
Learn a bit more about working offshore by listening to a podcast interview.
Week 3
Who Does Energy Belong To?
Introduction
Welcome to Week 3! Let's jump right into a new introduction and some new topics for the week.
Electricity
In this section, we'll start looking at electricity as an energy source and hear some testimonies for those who worked in the industry.
It's Scotland's Oil?
Let's look at the the oil industry, specifically through the It's Scotland's Oil campaign.
Additional Learning
Listen to a discussion about the role of oil in Scottish politics past and present.
Week 4
Environmentalism and Just Transitions
Introduction
An introduction to the week and getting started with the topics for Week 4.
Just Transitions
Explore the concept of Just Transition and its relevance to responding to climate change.
Just Transitions in Scotland
Applying what you've learned about Just Transition to Scotland.
Additional Learning
Engage with some external online resources to learn more about environmental protest, just transition and workers' struggles.
Conclusion
Conclusion to the course. Thanks for joining!
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Describe the major changes to Britain’s energy system since the Second World War.
- Interpret worker and community responses to changes in energy employment and movements between sectors.
- Assess how environmental concerns of varied sorts have shaped energy politics.
- Engage with extracts from archival records, oral testimonies and other primary sources related to energy history.
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for energy professionals, environmentalists, students, and anyone keen on understanding the history of energy transitions.
Who will you learn with?
I am a senior lecturer in Economic and Social History at the University of Glasgow. My research focuses on histories of energy, industry, work and protest.
Who developed the course?
The University of Glasgow
Founded in 1451, the University of Glasgow is the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world. It is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of leading UK research universities.
Established
1451Location
Glasgow, Scotland, UKWorld ranking
Top 70Source: QS World University Rankings 2020
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $109/one-off payment | $244.99 for a whole year Automatically renews | Free |
| Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Sample the course materials | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 18 Feb 2025 |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$244.99 for a whole year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$109/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 18 Feb 2025
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply. | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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