Background and activities

Key words: environmental psychology, eco-visualization, energy visualizations, co-design, participatory design processes, qualitative methods, innovation, prototyping, provotyping

I work as a researcher in the group “Citizens, Environment and Safety” (CES) at the Department of Psychology, NTNU, https://www.ntnu.edu/psychology/ces and I now lead the Work Package in SMARTEES www.local-social-innovation.eu on “Equality and the Energy Union: Data and knowledge analysis”. I am also responsible for three reference cases in SMARTEES, which includes collection of qualitative data, as well as analyzing and reporting results in the project and in publications.

I have continually used qualitative methods throughout my research career, starting with my PhD "Visualizing Energy in. Households".

In my research I am exploring how environmental communication, eco-visualization and innovative technology may contribute to solving the threat of climate changes (energy efficiency and  -saving et cetera) Lately, I have become increasingly interested in research and development processes (co-creating spaces, buildings, and technology) where users and other relevant parties creating that involve active user involvement in all stages of innovation and implementation of new technology. I do believe that in order to solve some of the many challenges of climate changes an ageing population, we need to think out of the box and we need to work together with end users, product developers, city planners, architects and engineers.  As a researcher, I want to be part of developing and enabling these new solutions to make its path from idea and through all the stages of societal implementation. My ongoing projects are linked to the development of sustainable neighborhoods, technologies and housing solutions through the active involvement of end users in innovation and design processes. 
 

 

 

 

Scientific, academic and artistic work

Displaying a selection of activities. See all publications in the database

Journal publications

Part of book/report

  • Löfström, Erica; Svanæs, Dag. (2017) Eco-visualization: an exploration of the concept and its practical implications. Proceedings of the eceee Summer Study. Consumption, efficiency & limits. 29 May - 3 June 2017 Toulon/Hyeres, France.
  • Ahlers, Dirk; Löfström, Erica; Krogstie, John; Wyckmans, Annemie; Driscoll, Patrick Arthur. (2016) Understanding Smart Cities as Social Machines. WWW '16 Companion Proceedings of the 25th International Conference Companion on World Wide Web.
  • Glogovac, Bogdan; Simonsen, Mads; Solberg, Silje Strøm; Löfström, Erica; Ahlers, Dirk. (2016) Ducky: An Online Engagement Platform for Climate Communication. Proceedings of the 9th Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, NordiCHI '16.
  • Löfström, Erica. (2015) Centres promoting sustainable building and living: characteristics, concepts and lessons learned. eceee Summer Study proceedings - eceee 2015 Summer Study on energy efficiency: First fuel now.
  • Löfström, Erica. (2014) Supporting low-emission lifestyles: involving future residents at Broset. Utopia Revisited. Towards a Carbon-Neutral Neighborhood at Brøset.
  • Löfström, Erica. (2012) Ambitious Upgrading of Post-war Multi-residential Buildings: Participation as a Driver for Energy Efficiency and Universal Design. PassivhusNorden 2012.
  • Löfström, Erica; Pettersen, Ida Nilstad. (2011) Public and private feedback: Food-related eco-visualisations promoting visible symbolic qualities of consumption. Energy efficiency first: The foundation of a low-carbon society. ECEEE 2011 Summer Study Proceedings.
  • Thomsen, Judith; Löfström, Erica. (2011) How to arrange for car-free living? Perspectives of future residents of a carbonneutral housing area on non-motorized transport and car use. Energy efficiency first: The foundation of a low-carbon society. ECEEE 2011 Summer Study Proceedings.
  • Löfström, Erica; Thomassen, Øyvind. (2010) Visualizing the Wings of History: Brøset - a Laboratory for Societal Change - the New and Old Challenge of (Re-)Designing the (Built) Environment. Forskning Trøndelag 2010.
  • Löfström, Erica. (2006) Solar Heating: Like Having a Nuclear Power Plant in the Wardrobe? An Analysis of How People Living with an Alternative Energy System Experience this New Technology. 2006 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings.

Report/dissertation

Others

  • Hauge, Åshild Lappegard; Löfström, Erica; Mellegård, Sofie Elisabet. (2014) How to maximize the chances of sustainable renovation in housing cooperatives. The 3rd Renewable Energy Research Conference - RERC 2014 . NTNU; SINTEF; IFE; UIO;; oslo. 2014-06-16 - 2014-06-18.
  • Löfström, Erica. (2014) Smart meters and people using the grid: exploring the potential benefits of AMR-technology. The 3rd Renewable Energy Research Conference - RERC 2014 . NTNU; SINTEF; IFE; UiO; Oslo. 2014-06-16 - 2014-06-18.
  • Mellegård, Sofie Elisabet; Fredriksen, Eyvind; Löfström, Erica; Bøhlerengen, Trond. (2012) "Oppslutning om bærekraftig oppgradering i boligselskaper". "oppslutning om bærekraftig oppgradering i boligselskaper" . SINTEF Byggforsk; Kristiansand. 2012-11-29 - 2012-11-29.
  • Berker, Thomas; Löfström, Erica. (2010) Methodological aspects of practice oriented design: Involving the Users in the Process of Creating a Future Carbon-Neutral Residential Area. Knowledge Collaboration and Learning for Sustainable Innovation, ERSCP-EMSU (The European Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Production & Environmental Management for Sustainable Universities ) . The European Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Produ; Delft, NL. 2010-10-25 - 2010-10-29.
  • Löfström, Erica. (2010) Eco-Visualization as a Tool for Creating Future Carbon-Neutral Settlements: User Participation in a Residential Area. Knowledge Collaboration and Learning for Sustainable Innovation, ERSCP-EMSU . The European Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Produ; Delft, NL. 2010-10-25 - 2010-10-29.
  • Löfström, Erica. (2010) The challenge of Carbon Neutral Settlements: User Participation in the Planning and Developing Process of a Residential Area. the 16th Annual International Sustainable Development Research Conference, Track: Sustainable consumption, consumer responses and new-markets for eco-products . the Kadoori Institute; the Kadoori Institute. 2010-05-30 - 2010-06-01.
  • Næss, Robert; Ask, Kristine; Antonsen, Marie; Löfström, Erica. (2010) Framtidshverdag. Forskningstorget 2010 [Kunstnerisk og museal presentasjon] . Norges Forskningsråd; Trondheim. 2010-09-24 - 2010-09-25.
  • Næss, Robert; Tøsse, Sunniva E.; Löfström, Erica; Larssæther, Stig. (2009) Klimatilpasset samfunn?. Forskningstorget Trondheim 2009 [Kunstnerisk og museal presentasjon] . Forskningsdagene 2009; Trondheim. 2009-09-25 - 2009-09-26.