With rising awareness of the need to transition away from fossil fuels to secure a more sustainable future, as well as the polarisation of public opinion around the climate issue, working in the oil and gas industry has increasingly raised moral questions for many employees.
The experiences of those working within the sector and those who decide to leave and move towards more sustainable areas have attracted the attention of academics and researchers.
Among those are the two of us: Dr Fabien Littel, from Oxford Brookes University and Dr Grace Augustine from the University of Bath. Over the past few years, we have both conducted our own ongoing projects, utilising in-depth interviews with people working for oil and gas companies, and others who decided to leave due to climate concerns.
We recently presented our research findings as part of a webinar run in partnership with Life After Oil. The webinar was recorded, and can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/sDlcXOMamJc
A breadth of perspectives
As part of our findings, we were able to appreciate the breadth of perspectives present in the industry, as well as the dynamic ongoing processes people go through to reconcile their concern over climate change with the impact of the industry they are a part of. For some, these lead to rationalisation and justification.
For others, disillusioned by a lack of tangible change within their organisations, despite having often tried to lead change from within, the dissonance becomes so great that their only tenable path forward is to exit the industry.
With such a variety of perspectives, ambitions, and emotions, oil and gas industry employees often find themselves isolated in dealing with these challenges.
This is where the next step of our research comes in, as we work together to create spaces for people to share their experiences and consider together what ‘Life After Oil’ may look like, and whether or not a career move away from the industry with a view to make a positive impact on our future makes sense for them.
Join a career transition workshop
If you are a current or former oil and gas industry employee who has experienced this type of climate concerns and are contemplating where to move your career, consider joining one of our upcoming online workshops to reflect on your stance on sustainability, consider this in relation to your career, and exchange with peers facing a similar situation, in a supportive and constructive environment.
These workshops will take place online, last two hours, and be held in small groups of up to eight participants. You will be invited to reflect and share your own story, and explore as a group alternative paths towards contributing to a more sustainable future through your career. A live artist will attend the workshop, to capture your story and group reflections.
The workshops form part of a research study led by the two of us (Dr Fabien Littel and Dr Grace Augustine). Your participation is entirely voluntary, and the workshops will be recorded (for research purposes and for future access by the research team only).
Three dates are available (all times BST):
- Wednesday 3rd June – 11.30 to 13.30
- Friday 5th June – 12.30 to 14.30
- Wednesday 17th June – 12.00 to 14.00
To find out more about how you can participate, register you interest here or contact Fabien Littel at f.littel@brookes.ac.uk