Pariman Boostani

About

Profile

I am a PhD researcher at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, working on energy poverty and community energy schemes, with a particular focus on Norway and Denmark. My research examines how energy communities can support the green transition by promoting sustainable energy behaviours, empowering vulnerable groups, and reducing energy poverty. My project is based on qualitative research methods, including interviews with energy community members, project leaders, and local authorities, as well as scenario development to explore future pathways for inclusive and sustainable energy systems.

In addition to my doctoral research, I contribute to the ACCTING Project European research project. I am involved in Research Line 3, which focuses on addressing energy poverty and facilitating behavioural change within energy communities at both individual and collective levels. The project aims to understand how social, institutional, and economic factors influence participation in sustainable energy initiatives and how inclusive policies can support vulnerable groups in the energy transition.

I hold a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from Shahid Beheshti University. My master’s thesis explored collaborative planning approaches for addressing climate change, using both quantitative and qualitative data analysis to develop future planning scenarios for the city of Tehran.

My research background bridges urban planning, energy transitions, and social dimensions of sustainability, with a particular interest in how community-based initiatives can support equitable and inclusive climate action.

Research Interests:

Green transition
Clean energy
Community energy schemes
Climate change
Energy education
Energy poverty
Spatial planning
Environmental impact assessment
Scenario writing

Collaboration Interests

I welcome opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in areas such as community energy development, social and behavioural dimensions of energy systems, energy justice, and participatory approaches in energy and urban planning. I am also interested in joint research on scenario development, policy design, and inclusive strategies to support the participation of vulnerable groups in sustainable energy initiatives.

Researchers and organisations working on the social dimensions of a green energy transition, community engagement, and sustainable urban and regional development are very welcome to get in touch for potential collaboration.

Research

Key Areas

Sustainable project management with a focus on energy transition and energy communities
Managing uncertainty in complex socio-technical projects
Scenario analysis and policy development for sustainable systems
Citizen engagement and participatory planning
Social capital, behavioural change, and knowledge sharing in sustainability transitions
Inclusion of vulnerable groups and reduction of energy poverty

ACCTING project

Focus on research line three: "Energy communities, energy poverty and community energy schemes"

Publications

2026

Boostani, Pariman; Pellegrini-Masini, Giuseppe; Klein, Jørgen. (2026) Barriers and drivers of participation in energy communities: towards inclusive energy communities in Norway and Denmark. Energy, Sustainability and Society
Academic article
Boostani, Pariman. (2026) A scenario for reaching inclusive energy communities in Norway and Denmark. Sustainable Energy Research
Academic article
Boostani, Pariman; Pellegrini-Masini, Giuseppe; Carnevale, Antonio. (2026) Exploring barriers and drivers of sustainable energy behaviour among vulnerable groups: insights from a Norwegian community through the lens of social capital theory. Sustainable Energy Research
Academic article
Boostani, Pariman; Vilhelmsen, Kenneth; Pellegrini-Masini, Giuseppe; Quinti, Gabriele. (2026) Do Inclusive Energy Communities Enable Behavioral and Social Change? Insights from Cases in Denmark, Italy and Norway. Social Sciences
Academic article

2025

Boostani, Pariman. (2025) Critical factors in reaching an ideal society. SN Social Sciences
Academic article
Boostani, Pariman; Vilhelmsen, Kenneth; Pellegrini Masini, Giuseppe; Quinti, Gabriele; Pugliese, Francesca; Cacace, Marina. (2025) ACCTING Report on Research Line 3: Leveraging Behavioural Change for Inclusive Energy Communities. zenodo
Academic article

2024

Boostani, Pariman; Pellegrini-Masini, Giuseppe; Klein, Jørgen. (2024) The Role of Community Energy Schemes in Reducing Energy Poverty and Promoting Social Inclusion: A Systematic Literature Review. Energies
Academic literature review

2023

Klados, Manousos; White, James; Zorell, Carolin; Gajdusek, Martin Felix; Szudi, Gabor; Pellegrini-Masini, Giuseppe; Boostani, Pariman; Strid, Sofia; Abrantes, Patrícia; Moreno, Luis. (2023) D5.3. ACCTING Research Agenda – 1st cycle. European Commission
Academic article

2022

Boostani, Pariman; Sadeghiha, Mahdi. (2022) Identification of critical uncertainties in Tehran in order to achieve the development of low carbon city by using scenario writing method. Cleaner Engineering and Technology
Academic article

2021

Boostani, Pariman; malekpourasl, Behzad. (2021) Collaborative planning to achieve a low carbon city in Tehran metropolis. Geography and Planning
Academic article

Journal publications

Boostani, Pariman; Pellegrini-Masini, Giuseppe; Klein, Jørgen. (2026) Barriers and drivers of participation in energy communities: towards inclusive energy communities in Norway and Denmark. Energy, Sustainability and Society
Academic article
Boostani, Pariman. (2026) A scenario for reaching inclusive energy communities in Norway and Denmark. Sustainable Energy Research
Academic article
Boostani, Pariman; Pellegrini-Masini, Giuseppe; Carnevale, Antonio. (2026) Exploring barriers and drivers of sustainable energy behaviour among vulnerable groups: insights from a Norwegian community through the lens of social capital theory. Sustainable Energy Research
Academic article
Boostani, Pariman; Vilhelmsen, Kenneth; Pellegrini-Masini, Giuseppe; Quinti, Gabriele. (2026) Do Inclusive Energy Communities Enable Behavioral and Social Change? Insights from Cases in Denmark, Italy and Norway. Social Sciences
Academic article
Boostani, Pariman. (2025) Critical factors in reaching an ideal society. SN Social Sciences
Academic article
Boostani, Pariman; Vilhelmsen, Kenneth; Pellegrini Masini, Giuseppe; Quinti, Gabriele; Pugliese, Francesca; Cacace, Marina. (2025) ACCTING Report on Research Line 3: Leveraging Behavioural Change for Inclusive Energy Communities. zenodo
Academic article
Boostani, Pariman; Sadeghiha, Mahdi. (2022) Identification of critical uncertainties in Tehran in order to achieve the development of low carbon city by using scenario writing method. Cleaner Engineering and Technology
Academic article
Boostani, Pariman; Pellegrini-Masini, Giuseppe; Klein, Jørgen. (2024) The Role of Community Energy Schemes in Reducing Energy Poverty and Promoting Social Inclusion: A Systematic Literature Review. Energies
Academic literature review
Klados, Manousos; White, James; Zorell, Carolin; Gajdusek, Martin Felix; Szudi, Gabor; Pellegrini-Masini, Giuseppe; Boostani, Pariman; Strid, Sofia; Abrantes, Patrícia; Moreno, Luis. (2023) D5.3. ACCTING Research Agenda – 1st cycle. European Commission
Academic article
Boostani, Pariman; malekpourasl, Behzad. (2021) Collaborative planning to achieve a low carbon city in Tehran metropolis. Geography and Planning
Academic article

Teaching

Guest lecture in Etterutdanningskurs for tospråklige lærere i samfunnskunnskap - etter Læreplan i samfunnskunnskap for voksne innvandrere

Outreach

Vitenskapelig fagfellevurderer for flere internasjonale tidsskrifter utgitt av Elsevier

Energy Research & Social Science AND Energy Reports

Fagfellevurderer for et vitenskapelig tidsskrift utgitt av Springer Nature

SN Social Science