Ruth Woods

Ruth Woods is a Researcher at the Department of Interdisciplinary Cultural Studies, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Her work bridges social anthropology, urban planning, and sustainable architecture. She holds a PhD in social anthropology and fine art, focusing on public art’s societal role, which expanded into sustainable building design and urban development.

Her research emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, particularly the socio-technical dimensions of sustainable architecture and zero-emission neighborhoods. Key areas include just transitions, energy justice, citizen engagement, and living lab methodologies. She collaborates with the Good Infrastructures Lab (ENVI), Center for Technology and Society (STS), and the FME ZEN initiative.

Recent publications address energy inequities in low-income households, sustainable campus design, and the role of households in sustainability transitions. Her projects include the EU-funded ARV initiative for climate-positive communities and ZEN’s zero-emission neighborhood research. Woods actively engages schools and communities through workshops and educational programs, emphasizing participatory methods.