Other publications

If you want to read one of these articles, chapters or reports and can’t get it from your library or on line, just get in touch.


Watson, M. and Shove, E. (2022) How infrastructures and practices shape each other: aggregation, integration and the introduction of gas central heating. Sociological Research Online. January 2022. doi:10.1177/13607804211055495

Blue, S., Forman, P., and Shove, E., (2021) “Flexibilities in energy supply and demand: Legacies and lessons from the past”, Journal of Energy History/Revue d’Histoire de l’Énergie [Online], n°5, 05 May 2021:  https://www.energyhistory.eu/en/special-issue/flexibilities-energy-supply-and-demand-legacies-and-lessons-past  Introduction to special issue, edited by S. Blue, P. Forman and E. Shove ‘Historicizing Flexibility’.

Blue, S., Shove, E., and Kelly, M. P. (2021). Obese societies: Reconceptualising the challenge for public health. Sociology of Health and Illness.  DOI: 10.1111/1467-9566.13275, p1-17.  https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1467-9566.13275

Rinkinen, J., Shove, E., & Smits, M. (2021). Conceptualising urban density, energy demand and social practice. Buildings and Cities, 2(1), pp. 79–91. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/bc.72

Shove, E. (2020) Time to re-think energy research, Nature Energy, November 2020: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41560-020-00739-9

Shove, E. (2020) Why social theory is important for energy research and the built environment, Buildings and Cities, Research Legacy.

Shove, E. (2020) CREDS blog on flexibility

Blue, S., Shove, E. and Forman, P. (2020) ‘Conceptualising Flexibility: Representatons of Time and Society in the Energy Sector‘, Time and Society.

Royston S., Selby, J. and Shove, E. (2018) ‘‘Invisible energy policies: a new agenda for energy demand reduction’ Energy Policy 123(2018): 127-135

Cass, N., Schwanen, T. and Shove, E. (2018) ‘Infrastructures, intersections and societal transformationsTechnology Forecasting and Social Change

Cass, N. and E. Shove (2018) ‘Standards? Whose standards?’ Architectural Science Review: 1-8. DOI: 10.1080/00038628.2018.1502158

Shove, E. (2017) ‘What is wrong with energy efficiency?’ Building Research and Information available at: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09613218.2017.1361746

See also ‘Writing the wrongs of energy efficiency’ January, 2018, on the Building Research and Information blog

Rinkinen, J., Shove  E. and Smits, M. (2017). ‘Cold chains in Hanoi and Bangkok: Changing systems of provision and practice.’ Journal of Consumer Culture: 1469540517717783. Pre-publication version

Shove, E. (2017). Energy and social practice: from abstractions to dynamic processes. In Labanca, N. (Ed.) Complex systems and social practices in energy transitions:  Framing the issue of energy sustainability in the time of renewables, Springer: 207-220.
Pre-publication version

Shove, E. and Walker, G. (2017) ‘Demand’ in Szeman, I., Wenzel, J., et al. (Eds) (2017). Fueling Culture: 101 Words for Energy and Environment, Fordham University Press

Blue, S. Shove, E., Carmona, C. and Kelly, M. P., (2016) ‘Theories of practice and public health: understanding (un)healthy practices’, Critical Public Health, 26(1)36-50
Shove, E., Watson, M. and Spurling, N. (2015) ‘Conceptualising connections: Energy demand, infrastructures and social practices’ European Journal of Social Theory, 18(3) 274-287. Open Access

Shove, E. and Blue, S. (2016) ‘How social practices generate, carry and require knowledge and know-how’ in  Orr, K., Nutley, S., Russell, S., Bain, R., Hacking, B., and Moran, C. (Eds), Knowledge and Practice in Business and Organisations.  London: Routledge. P217-219

Rinkinen, J., Jalas, M. and Shove, E. (2015) ‘Object Relations in Accounts of Everyday Life’ Sociology 49(5): 870-885.

Newell, P., Bulkeley, H., Turner, K., Shaw, C., Caney, S., Shove, E., and Pigeon, N. (2015) ‘Governance traps in climate change politics: re-framing the debate in terms of responsibilities and rights.’ Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change 6(6): 535-540.

Shove, E. Walker, G. and Brown, S. (2014) ‘Material culture, room temperature and the social organisation of thermal energy’ Journal of Material Culture, 19(2): 113-124

Shove, E. (2014) ‘On the design of everyday life’, in Tecnoscienza, Italian Journal of science and technology studies, 5(2): 33-42.

Shove, E. and Walker, G. (2014) ‘What Is Energy For? Social Practice and Energy Demand‘, Theory, Culture & Society 31: 41-58.

Walker, G., Shove, E., Brown, S. (2014). ‘How does air conditioning become ‘needed’? A case study of routes, rationales and dynamics.’ Energy Research & Social Science 4: 1-9

Shove, E., Walker, G. and Brown, S. (2013) Transnational Transitions: The Diffusion and Integration of Mechanical Cooling, Urban Studies, 51 (7): 1506-1515.

Shove, E. (2012) ‘Putting practice into policy: reconfiguring questions of consumption and climate change.’ Contemporary Social Science: 9 (4): 415-429.

Shove, E. (2012) ‘The shadowy side of innovation: unmaking and sustainability’, Technology Analysis and Strategic Management, 24(4): 345-362.

Chappells, H., Medd, W. And Shove, E. (2011) ‘Disruption and change: drought and the inconspicuous dynamics of garden lives’ Social & Cultural Geography 12 (7): 701-715.

Shove, E. (2011) ‘On the difference between chalk and cheese—a response to Whitmarsh et al’s comments on ‘Beyond the ABC: climate change policy and theories of social change’’. Environment and Planning A. 43 (2): 262-264.

Pantzar, M. and Shove, E. (2010), ‘Temporal rhythms as outcomes of social practices: a speculative discussion’, Ethnologia Europaea 40(1): 19-29.

Shove, E. (2010) ‘Beyond the ABC: climate change policy and theories of social change’, Environment and Planning A. 42 (6): 1273–1285.

Shove, E. (2010) ‘Social theory and climate change: questions often, sometimes and not yet asked’, Theory Culture and Society, 27 (2-3): 277-288.

Pantzar, M. and Shove, E. (2010), ‘Towards a theory of practice innovations: a discussion of the production and reproduction of Nordic Walking’, Technology Analysis and Strategic Management, 22(4): 447-461.

Shove, E. and Walker, G. (2010) ‘Governing Transitions in the Sustainability of Everyday Life’ Research Policy. 39 (4): 471-476.

Shove, E. and Walker, G. (2008) ‘Transition management and the politics of shape shifting’ Environment and Planning A  40: 1012–1014.

Watson, M. and Shove, E. (2008) ‘Product, competence, project and practice: DIY and the dynamics of craft consumption’ in the Journal of Consumer Culture 8(1): 69–89.

Garrow, D. and Shove, E. (2007) ‘Artefacts between disciplines. The Toothbrush and the Axe’ Discussion article.  Archaeological Dialogues, 14(2): 117-131.

Walker, G. and Shove, E. (2007) ‘Ambivalence, Sustainability and the Governance of Socio-Technical Systems’, Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, 9(3-4): 213-225.

Shove, E. and Walker, G. (2007) ‘Caution! Transitions ahead: politics, practice and sustainable transition management’, Environment and Planning A, 39(4) 763–770.

Shove, E. and Pantzar, M. (2007) ‘Recruitment and reproduction: the careers and carriers of digital photography and floorball’ Journal of Human Affairs, 17: 154-167.

Hand, M., Shove, E., and Southerton, D. (2007)’Home extensions in the United Kingdom: space, time, and practice’ Environment and Planning D: Society and Space 25(4): 668-681

Shove, E., Watson, M. and Ingram, J. (2007) ‘Products and practices: selected concepts from science and technology studies and from social theories of consumption and practice’, Design Issues, 23(2): 3-16

Hand, M. and Shove, E. ‘(2007) Condensing Practices’ Journal of Consumer Culture, 7(1): 79-104.

Shove, E. and Pantzar, M. (2006) ‘Fossilisation’, Ethnologia Europaea: Journal of European Ethnology, 35:1-2: 59-63.

Shove, E.  and Southerton, D. (2006) Mrazák dobře rozmrazený: Od novosti k pohodlí (příběh normalizace) [translation of: Defrosting the freezer: From novelty to convenience (A narrative of normalization – 2000)]. Biograf (39): 49 paragraphs. http://www.biograf.org/clanky/clanek.php?clanek=3901

Hand, M., Shove, E. and Southerton, D. (2005) ‘Explaining showering: a discussion of the material, conventional and temporal dimensions of practice’, Sociological Research Online. 10(2): http://www.socresonline.org.uk/10/2/hand.htm.

Cass, N., Shove, E., and Urry, J. (2005) ‘Social exclusion, mobility and access’, Sociological Review  53(3): 539-556.

Shove, E., and Pantzar, M. (2005) ‘Consumers, producers and practices: understanding the invention and reinvention of Nordic Walking’ Journal of Consumer Culture, 5(1): 43-64.

Chappells, H., and Shove, E. (2005) ‘Debating the future of comfort: environmental sustainability, energy consumption and the indoor environment’ Building Research and Information, 33(1): 32-40.

Shove, E. (2004) ‘Efficiency and Consumption: Technology and Practice’, Energy and Environment, 15(6): 1053-1065.

Hand, M. and Shove, E. (2004) ‘Orchestrating Concepts: Kitchen Dynamics and Regime Change in Good Housekeeping and Ideal Home 1922-2002’ Home Cultures, 1(3): 235-256.

Shove, E., (2003) ‘Converging conventions of comfort, cleanliness and convenience’ Journal of Consumer Policy, 26(4) 395-418.

Shove, E., (2003) ‘Principals, Agents, Actors and Research Programmes’, Science and Public Policy,  30(5) 371-381.

Shove, E., (2003) ‘Users, technologies and expectations of comfort, cleanliness and convenience’ Innovation. Special issue on users and design edited by H. Rohracher and J. Jelsma. 16(2):193-207.

Southerton, D., Shove, E., Warde, A. and Deem, R., (2001) ‘The Social Worlds of Caravanning: Objects, Scripts and Practices’, in Sociological Research Online, 6(2) <http://www.socresonline.org.uk/6/2/southerton.html>

Shove, E. and Southerton, D., (2000) ‘Defrosting the Freezer: from Novelty to Convenience’, Journal of Material Culture, 5(3): 301-319.

Shove, E. and Rip, A., (2000) ‘Users and Unicorns: a discussion of mythical beasts in interactive science’, Science and Public Policy, 27(3) June 2000: 175-182

Shove, E. and Caswill, C. (2000) ‘Introducing Interactive Social Science’, Science and Public Policy Special Issue on Interactive Social Science, 27 (3) June 2000: 152-157.

Shove, E. and Caswill, C. (2000) ‘Postscript’, Science and Public Policy Special Issue on Interactive Social Science, 27 (3) June 2000: 220-222.

Chappells, H. and Shove, E. (1999) ‘The Dustbin: A study of domestic waste, household practices and utility services’, International Planning Studies, 4 (2): 267-280.

Lutzenhiser, L. and Shove, E. (1999) ‘Contracting Knowledge: the organizational limits to interdisciplinary energy research and development in the US and the UK, Energy Policy, 27(4): 217-227.

Shove, E., (1999) ‘Gaps Barriers and Conceptual Chasms: Theories of Technology Transfer and Energy in Buildings’, Energy Policy, 26: 1105-1112.

Shove, E., (1998) ‘Relevance, Independence and Capture’, Building Research and Information: The International Journal of Research, Development, Demonstration and Innovation, 26(6): 386-389.

Shove, E.,(1998) ‘Designers as Consumers and Consumers as Designers’, in ARTTU! 5-6, Helsinki University of Art and Design.

Shove, E. and Simmons, P. (1997) ‘Research contexts and policy knowledge: linking social science research and environmental policy’, Science and Public Policy, 24(4): 214-222.

Recent Book Chapters

Shove, E. (2018) ‘Working Materials’. in Jensen, O., Kesselring, S. and Sheller, M. Mobilities and Complexities Routledge.

Shove, E, Trentmann, F. and Watson, M. (2018) ‘Introduction – infrastructures in practice: The evolution of demand in networked socieities’ in Shove, E. and Trentmann, F. Infrastructures in Practice: the dynamics of demand in networked societies.  London.  Routledge.  3-10.

Coutard, O. and Shove, E.  (2018) ‘Infrastructures, Practices and the Dynamics of Demand’ in Shove, E. and Trentmann, F. Infrastructures in Practice: the dynamics of demand in networked societies.  London.  Routledge. 10-23.

Shove, E., Watson, M. and Trentmann, F. (2018) ‘Infrastructures in practice: Implications for the future’ in Shove, E. and Trentmann, F. Infrastructures in Practice: the dynamics of demand in networked societies.  London.  Routledge. 210-217

Shove, E. and Walker, G. (2017) ‘Demand’ contribution to Szeman, I., Wenzel, J., et al. (Eds) (2017). Fueling Culture: 101 Words for Energy and Environment, Fordham University Press. P107-109.

Shove, E. (2016) ‘Matters of Practice’ in Hui, A., Schatzki, T. and Shove, E. (Eds) The Nexus of Practices: Connections, constellations, practitioners, London: Routledge. P155-168.

Hui, A., Schatzki, T. and Shove, E. (2016) ‘Introduction’ in Hui, A., Schatzki, T. and Shove, E. (Eds) The Nexus of Practices: Connections, constellations, practitioners, London: Routledge. P1-8.

Shove, E. and Blue, S. (2016) ‘How social practices generate, carry and require knowledge and know-how’ in  Orr, K., Nutley, S., Russell, S., Bain, R., Hacking, B., and Moran, C. (Eds), Knowledge and Practice in Business and Organisations.  London: Routledge. P217-219.

Shove, E. (2016) Infrastructures and practices networks beyond the city’, in  Coutard, O. and Rutherford, J. (Eds), Beyond the Networked city: infrastructure reconfigurations and urban change in the North and South London:  Routledge. P242-258.

Shove, E. (2015) ‘Linking low carbon policy and social practice’ in Strengers, Y. and Maller, C. (Eds), Social Practices, Intervention and Sustainability: Beyond behaviour change, London: Routledge. P31-45.

Wang, S. and Shove, E. (2014)  ‘How Rounders goes around the world’ in Thrift, N., Tickell, A., and Rupp, W. (Eds.) Globalization in Practice, Oxford: Oxford University Press. P202-206.

Reports that are still of some interest

Shove, E. (1991) ‘Filling the Gap’ – a study of the cavity wall insulation industry

Connaughton, J., Jarrett, N., and Shove, E. (1995) Innovation in the Cladding Industry, London: Department of the Environment.

Shove, E., Robson, B., Fulton, O., Halfpenny, P., Miles, I. and Warde, A. (1998)  Exchanging Experience of Exploitation: Report of a study for the ESRC, Lancaster University and University of Manchester.

Robson, B. and Shove E. (1999) Interaction and Influence: Individuals and Institutions, a summary report of six pilot studies commissioned by the ESRC, Centre for Science Studies, Lancaster University and University of Manchester.

For more of a catalogue, see  my CV