HT26 Energy Seminar – Week 7: Women led: Clean energy transitions in rural Kenya
Dr Ayse Demir
- Start Tuesday 03 Mar 2026 5:00pm
- Finish Tuesday 03 Mar 2026 6:15pm
- Venue School of Geography & the Environment
- Postcode OX1 3AN
- Register for event
Summary: This seminar presents findings from a four-phase clean energy programme delivered in Kenya between 2022 and 2025. Beginning with solar providers, Phase 1 strengthened how sales agents communicated the real-life benefits of solar technologies through an SDG lens. Phase 2 piloted training with women’s chamas, showing strong knowledge gains and increased confidence to adopt clean energy. Phase 3 expanded this model to more than 200 women across 13 counties, cultivating leadership and uptake. Phase 4 supported 17 community-led clean energy projects, improving health, savings, safety, and education access. The model has now been recognised by the UNFCCC as a global grassroots reference project.
Speaker: Dr Ayşe Demir is an Associate Professor and Principal Investigator at the University of Roehampton specialising in clean energy transitions, gender inclusion, and sustainable development. She has led a four-phase programme in Kenya (2022–25) that worked with solar providers, NGOs, ministries, and over 200 women’s groups to embed SDG-aware clean energy adoption into everyday community practice. Her work has influenced the Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP), informed UNFCCC regional dialogues, and will be featured on the UNFCCC global portal. In 2025, she was invited to join the Government of The Gambia’s delegation to COP30 as a clean energy expert.