Wilcox+Letter+of+Introduction


 * Letter of Introduction**

Dear [Program Manager],

My name is [ ], and I'm a Ph.D candidate in Science and Technology Studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute working on a dissertation project on energy policy interventions, supported by an RPI Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences Fellowship. As part of my research, I'm conducting interviews with key energy policy actors in New York State, and I'm writing to explore the possibility of learning more about [your program] through either a semi-formal interview or a more informal conversation.

The impetus for this project comes from the recognition that "techno-fixes" alone aren't sufficient to address the complex, interconnected crises of climate change, ecological degradation, global energy poverty, and aging infrastructure in the U.S. Rather, new forms of social organization and institutional operation will be necessary over the next century. Of particular interest to me in this project are the ways in which energy policies in these domains impact the everyday lives of energy users and the extent to which policy interventions foster more meaningful user engagement with energy systems.

NYSERDA's vision of "empowering people to choose clean and efficient energy as part of their everyday lives" certainly speaks to its institutional leadership in these areas, in particular its market transformation and energy user outreach efforts. I would love the opportunity to speak to you about [your program] and learn more about its goals, successes, challenges, and history. In particular, I hope to learn more about the roles of NYSERDA staff in the design process of translating policies into deployable programs. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about the project, or to provide you with any other information. You can reach me by email reply or at 804.687.3122. I look forward to hearing from you and hope you will consider participating in this project

Sincerely, [ ]