Introduction

The overall aim of the Social Research Network is “to foster the conduct and dissemination of social science research related to CCS in order to improve understanding of public concerns as well as improve the understanding of the processes required for deploying projects”.

The objectives of the Network are as follows:

• Ensure high quality social science research
  • Elevate reputation and acceptance of social science research
  • Consistency of research

• Identifying gaps

• Promoting a learning environment

• Building capacity within the Network

• Translate information from studies into tools or applied lessons
  • Apply insights to actual projects
  • Interact with technical experts
  • Communicate results to policy makers
  • Ensure application is grounded in theory

• Create a clearing house of social science research

It is worth noting that these objectives have been in place since its inception however there has been no movement on creating the suggested clearing house of social science research so it appears to be an aspirational objective rather than something that has been delivered on.

This 2014 meeting, the fourth of the IEAGHG Social Research Network (SRN), was held at the University of Calgary in Canada, from the 14^th to the 15^th January. The meeting was hosted by the University’s Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy (ISEEE) and sponsored by the ISEEE and PTRC. Over 35 delegates from 8 different countries attended the meeting.

Recommendations

The following recommendations were made at the end of the fourth IEAGHG Social Research Network Meeting:

• Combine conclusions & results together from different levels of research to allow connections to be seen, for example qualitative and quantitative research, different theoretical frameworks, hands-on focus groups etc.  Physically drawing these connections together in real time as they occur, and then perhaps mapping the connections together in a virtual space where all can contribute ideas would be beneficial

• Develop a database for research instruments and papers relevant to social science and CCS was recommended – a repository of instruments, measures and researchers carried out by those in the network would be useful on many levels

• PhD students bring a lot of new research to these Network meetings so it is important to include the next generation in the future meetings and research opportunities

• This network brings together lots of disciplinary perspectives to examine CCS (which is very valuable), but it may be useful to expand the network to other disciplines that are perhaps not present

• The topic of CCS could be reframed by placing it into a larger context that may make it easier for the public to understand, which may also help to expand the network however this would need to be done in consultation with IEAGHG and other SRN members to determine what might be appropriate
• Further research could be undertaken in less developed countries, particularly in relation to understanding the cultural context in which projects will have to operate

• There is also only a small component of work examining the ethics of CCS (particularly in less developed countries) which is an opportunity and something of importance that should become a priority.

• There may be an opportunity to build on current methodologies and tools which could actually come about by expansion of the network to other disciplines and somewhat beyond just a focus on CCS.

• There is an opportunity to focus more on how to communicate about CCS as the related sciences, in particular to understand when personal opinions become group opinions.

• Transport and pipelines is also an important component of CCS research and needs to be considered going forward.