Thesis title: CITIZEN SCIENCE E PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE DELLE TECNOLOGIE PER LA TRANSIZIONE ENERGETICA
The thesis examines the processes of public acceptance of technologies for energy transition and the potential of participatory approaches, such as Citizen Science, with a focus on the technological scenarios of CO₂ Capture and Storage (CCS) and Magnetic Fusion. Developed as part of a PhD funded by a PON grant in collaboration with Eni S.p.A., the work adopts a sociological perspective that integrates Science and Technology Studies (STS), the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP), and risk sociology to analyze the energy transition as a complex and multi-level process. The research combines a qualitative survey, based on interviews with researchers and Eni employees, and a quantitative survey conducted via questionnaire among the academic community at Sapienza University of Rome. The results indicate that trust and transparency are crucial factors in establishing the social legitimacy of new technologies, suggesting the potential to shift away from exclusively technocratic approaches toward more participatory practices and inclusive governance models.