Johan SchotResearch
Johan’s current research focuses on the conceptualization and historical interpretation of what he calls the ‘Second Big Transition’. Big Transitions refer to long term change processes which transform the economy and society. The First Transition started in 1750 and resulted in the welfare state. The Second Big Transition started in the 1970s and will transform capitalism and modernity as we know it today. Building upon the insights of Chris Freeman and Carlota Perez, the aim is to develop a new version of the Multi-level Perspective (MLP) of Sustainability Transitions that captures the importance of the links between various niches and regimes and endogenizes changes at the socio-technical landscape. He will also use this new theory to generate new insights for the governance of new transition pathways.
In this research, Johan will build upon his proven ability to draw insights from the history of technology, evolutionary economics, as well as science and technology studies. In the past, Johan was instrumental in developing and extending the niche theory of radical change into the influential MLP on sustainability transitions, working with Arie Rip, Frank Geels and others. He was also key in establishing a new framework for research and policy around sustainable technologies, called Strategic Niche Management, building on his earlier influential work on the Constructive Technology Assessment framework. Finally Johan has developed a range of new concepts for the contextual history of technology, such as the mediation junction, the innovation junction, technocratic internationalism, and the hidden integration and fragmentation of Europe (for all of these concepts, please see the list of key publications below).
Johan’s work has greatly benefited from an emphasis on creative collaborations across borders and disciplines which open up innovative new research agendas. One of his unique qualities is his ability to create and pioneer large scale collaborations, in which many (up to 100 or more) scholars and practitioners from business, government and societal groups work productively together. Initiatives such as the Greening of Industry Network and the influential Dutch Knowledge Network on System Innovations and Transitions have all successfully enabled the development of innovative new insights and transformative practices. More recently, the Tensions of Europe collaboration of up to 300 scholars resulted in the dynamic ‘Inventing Europe’ digital history project, delivered in partnership with ten cultural heritage institutions and museums. This transnational collaboration also led to a unique book series, called ‘Making Europe’, which provides new interpretations of European History through the lens of technology.
Several collaborations led to influential and seminal book series such as:
- ‘’ - on the history of Europe (with Palgrave/Macmillan) – Johan is editor (with Phil Scranton) of this prestigious Book Series and has co-authored with Wolfram Kaiser, ‘’ (Expected: Autumn 2014)
- Studies in Sustainability Transitions (with Routledge) – Johan is editor (with John Grin and Jan Rotmans) and co-author of the first volume Transitions to Sustainable Development. New Directions in the Study of Long Term Transformative Change published in 2010.
- in the Twentieth Century (seven volumes in Dutch) – Johan was one of the main editors and programme leader. He edited with Harry Lintsen and Arie Rip the synthesis volumes published with MIT in 2010, ‘.
Key publications
- Niches
Johan Schot and Frank Geels, '', Journal of Evolutionary Economics (2007), 17 (5), 605-622.
Johan Schot, '', History and Technology (1998), 14, 173-200.
- Strategic Niche Management
Johan Schot and Frank Geels, '', Technology Analysis & Strategic Management (2008), 20 (5), 537-554.
René Kemp, Johan Schot and Remco Hoogma, '', Technology Analysis & Strategic Management (1998), 10 (2), 175-195.
- Multi-Level Perspectives
Johan Schot and Frank Geels, '', Research Policy (2007), 36 (3), 399-417.
Hugo van Driel and Johan Schot, '', Technology and Culture (2005), 46 (1), 51-77.
- Constructive Technology Assessment
Johan Schot, '', Technology Analysis & Strategic Management (2001), 13 (1), 39-52.
Johan Schot and Arie Rip, '', Technological Forecasting and Social Change, (1997), 54 (2-3), 251-268.
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Mediation Junction
Gijs Mom, Peter Staal and Johan Schot, 'Civilizing Motorized Adventure, Touring and Automobile Clubs as Intermediaries in the Emergence of the Automobile in The Netherlands', in: Ruth Oldenziel, Adri Albert de la Bruhèze and Onno de Wit (eds.), (Amsterdam: Aksant 2009), 139-158 (book chapter).Johan Schot and Adri Albert de la Bruhèze, 'The Mediated Design of Products, Consumption and Consumers in the Twentieth Century', in: Nelly Oudshoorn and Trevor Pinch (eds.), (Cambridge: MIT Press 2003), 229-246 (book chapter).
- Innovation Junction
O. de Wit, J. van den Ende, J. Schot and E. van Oost, '', Technology and Culture (2002), 43 (1), 50-72.
- Technocratic Internationalism
Johan Schot and Frank Schipper, '', Journal of European Public Policy (2011), 18 (2), 274-293.
Johan Schot and Vincent Lagendijk, 'Technocratic Internationalism in the Interwar Years: Building Europe on Motorways and Electricity Networks', Journal of Modern European History (2008), 6 (2), 196-216.
- Hidden Integration
Th.J. Misa and J.W. Schot, 'Inventing Europe: Technology and the Hidden Integration of Europe', History and Technology (2005), 21 (1), 1-20.