Transformation refers to systemic changes in the social, economic, legal, and political forces and institutions that influence energy use. Transformation research seeks to identify the major determinants of energy use, both historically and in the future; the obstacles to moving toward more sustainable energy use; and the role of the state, industry, markets, the community and individuals in promoting such use. Transformation-related research explores and evaluates alternative policies and markets that might lead to a sustainable energy future. It includes contributions from law, sociology, history, political science, economics, and policy. At the University of Colorado-Boulder there are several contexts in which transformation teaching and research take place. These include:

• An interdisciplinary center based at the School of Law that explores the role of law, policy and technology in forging solutions to sustainable energy problems.
• A study of energy use in the American West that links topics such as historical change, environmental impacts, the utility industry, and consumer demand.
• A center that examines the justifications for and outcomes of federal science policies.
• A study of the environmental ethics of resource use and environmental transformation.
• Interdisciplinary social science research on individual and household energy decision making and public perception of energy alternatives.
• Economic analyses of public willingness to pay and valuation of energy alternatives.
• An interdisciplinary graduate program in energy policy that provides students with skills and knowledge in energy science and technology, energy economics and markets, and energy policy and planning.
• An interdisciplinary graduate certificate program in environmental policy offering disciplinary-based students an opportunity to explore environmental issues across the curriculum.