Key details
Dr
Athina
Piterou
PGCE, MSc, PhD
Lecturer in sustainability
Athena Piterou joined the University of Greenwich Business School in 2011 after completing a PhD, linked to the ESRC-funded project ‘Dematerialising the printed paper text’, at Brunel University. The PhD examined electronic books might alleviate the environmental implications of print. At the Policy Studies Institute, Athena’s role involved mapping the interactions among the organisations participating in the Sustainable Development Research Network (funded by Defra).
Recognition
- Visiting research fellow, Policy Studies Institute, University of Westminster
- Member, EASST (European Association for the Study of Science and Technology)
Research / Scholarly interests
Since completing her MSc in technology management at the University of Manchester, Athena's research has focused on the interaction between socio-technical innovation and sustainability, specifically the use of SNA analysis in the study of hybrid innovation networks. On the basis of a relational approach to innovation, Athena has applied social network methods to the study of socio-technical transitions, examining the emergence of the electronic book in relation to the incumbent print-on-paper system. She further developed this method to map the diffusion of sustainable energy technologies in the London area.
Her work on the New Deal for Innovation project concerns small business innovation focusing on support tools and techniques.
She is also analysing the emergence and evolution of Science and Technology Studies (STS) in Europe using data from conference proceedings.
Key funded projects
Adoption and Diffusion of Sustainable Energy Technologies in London (ADSET): RAE funded.
With Anne-Marie Coles and Audley Genus at Kingston University
Urban sustainability will depend on the widespread use of renewable energy technologies, although these are currently at an early stage of diffusion in London. Early adoption is often characterised by a plethora of technologies which fulfil similar functions. This project has identified a range of micro-generation and energy demand reduction initiatives currently being undertaken across the capital and it examines whether there are indications of sustainable energy trajectories.
NDI – New Deal for Innovation
With Chris Birch
NDI is funded by the INTERREG IV A France (Channel)-England programme and involves seven partner organisations. The aim of the project is to develop an innovation toolkit for small businesses. Evidence from secondary research and a cross-channel survey is used to identify the support needs of small firms.