Associate Professor of Sociology
My work is inspired by the belief that the technological systems used to sustain residential life structure how humans conceive of their relationship to the natural world and to one another. My research explores how technological systems interact with social structures to shape human conceptions of nature, human-nature relationships, and human action. It examines the historical normalization of residential technological systems in America and the ways in which alternative technological systems challenge the social, political, economic, and environmental consequences of those systems. My dissertation research (funded by an NSF-IGERT Fellowship and an EPA-STAR Fellowship) explored how individuals choose to pursue alternative dwelling technologies from residential solar panels to life in intentional community and how that choice reflects broader attitudes, opinions, and lifestyles. My current research continues this focus, looking at residential energy practices and alternative technologies for supporting the organization of residential life. I research and write about energy practices, energy conservation behaviors, and alternative technology adoption in a wide variety of contexts, from solar electric technology and policy and off-grid living and intentional communities to Rainbow Gatherings and 3-D printers for distributive manufacturing.
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About Chelsea Schelly
My work is inspired by the belief that the technological systems used to sustain residential life structure how humans conceive of their relationship to the natural world and to one another. My research explores how technological systems interact with social structures to shape human conceptions of nature, human-nature relationships, and human action. It examines the historical normalization of residential technological systems in America and the ways in which alternative technological systems challenge the social, political, economic, and environmental consequences of those systems. My dissertation research (funded by an NSF-IGERT Fellowship and an EPA-STAR Fellowship) explored how individuals choose to pursue alternative dwelling technologies from residential solar panels to life in intentional community and how that choice reflects broader attitudes, opinions, and lifestyles. My current research continues this focus, looking at residential energy practices and alternative technologies for supporting the organization of residential life. I research and write about energy practices, energy conservation behaviors, and alternative technology adoption in a wide variety of contexts, from solar electric technology and policy and off-grid living and intentional communities to Rainbow Gatherings and 3-D printers for distributive manufacturing.
| Present | Associate Professor of Sociology, Michigan Technological University ‐ Department of Social Sciences | |
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Disciplines
Research Interests
| 2013 | Ph.D, University of Wisconsin-Madison ‐ Department of Sociology | |
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| 2008 | M.A., Sociology, Colorado State University | |
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| 2005 | B.A., Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison | |
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