Colorado Technology Primer for Economists & Social Scientists

Call for Participants

2022 Colorado Technology Primer for Economists and Social Scientists

Call for Participants

Golden, CO

August 1-4 2022

Thanks to generous funding and support from the Sloan Foundation, the Colorado Technology Primer for Economists and Social Scientists will be offered from August 1-4 on the Colorado School of Mines campus.

The goal of the Primer is to provide advanced doctoral students and early career academic professionals with an interdisciplinary (engineering and social science) understanding of electricity distribution systems and the interface of technology and policy. The Primer will help participants bridge the gap between economists’ and engineers’ perspectives as well as improve the quality and applicability of their academic research.

There will be no tuition fees to attend the Primer. A number of travel and lodging reimbursement will be available and the decisions on this award will be made concurrent with admission decisions.

The weekend program will consist of lectures by staff members at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Colorado School of Mines, as well as industry professionals.

The Primer will have sessions on:

  • Principles of Power System Planning and Operations

  • Industrial Organization of Electricity Markets

  • Distribution System Principles and the Evolving Interface with the Bulk Power System

  • Energy Justice Considerations in the Electricity Industry

  • Understanding the Highs and Lows and Overall challenges of Multidisciplinary Research

In order to apply for the Primer, you must be an early career academic professional (post-doctoral fellow or assistant professor) in a social science field.

Please submit the following for consideration:

(1) One page cover letter describing your research interests in electricity distribution, renewable energy systems, or related topics.

(2) Curriculum Vitae

Additionally, if you are a PhD student, please ask a faculty member to email Ian Lange at ilange@mines.edu to endorse your application to the Primer.

The Primer welcomes individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. It embraces and values diversity and inclusivity. Participants are expected to learn as much from fellow students as they will from the instructors, and diversity will enrich everyone involved.

All materials are due electronically in a single PDF file by June 20, and should be sent to ilange@mines.edu. Decisions will be communicated to applicants by June 29. Questions about the program and completed applications can be sent to Ian Lange at ilange@mines.edu.

The program will be in person so it is highly suggested that those who apply have received a COVID-19 vaccine.