In the fall of 2015, I worked as a research assistant on the UVM Off-Campus Energy Study. The study, run by Rubenstein School Ph.D. candidates Dan Fredman and Elizabeth Palchak, examines how monetary incentives and real-time feedback influence electricity customer behavior. I contributed to the study in three ways: assisting in the recruitment of student participants; supporting the deployment of in-home displays (IHDs), which provide real-time feedback to participants; and conducting a preliminary literature review. My internship experience was invaluable, giving me exposure to cutting-edge behavioral research at a major public university.

Complementing outreach emails asking UVM students to participate, two other research assistants and I visited classes to “pitch” the study. The recruitment phase of the study utilized loss aversion theory. “If you don’t participate,” I would explain, “you lose out on the chance of winning $300” (the largest amount of money a participant could possibly earn). In all, I reached over 600 students in classes across departments at the university.

Fredman and Palchak then distributed IHDs to a portion of the participants, selected to be in one of the study’s treatment groups. The IHD functions like a digital picture frame, which syncs to participants’ smart meters and displays real time energy usage and price data. I spent many afternoons at the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics providing project support to Fredman as he interacted with participants, explained to them how the IHD works, and loaned them the device for the purposes of the study. Finally, I wrote a preliminary literature review. Examining papers on electricity consumption, behavioral economics, and energy policy, I evaluated 20 sources and outlined relevant concepts I found in the readings.

The UVM Off-Campus Energy Study internship provided me with opportunities to cultivate my skills of public speaking, time management, and independent research. Fredman and Palchak were generous and thoughtful supervisors who were always interested in their research assistants’ ideas and perspectives. Interested in pursuing graduate work in the field of energy policy, I am fortunate to have gained exposure to graduate research related to energy while a student at the Rubenstein School. Attending a research meeting with Burlington Electric Department, Fredman and Palchak’s community partner, was particularly inspiring.

For students interested in similar research opportunities, I recommend paying close attention to the helpful emails of Anna Smiles-Becker, Rubenstein School career counselor and internship coordinator, who sent me an email detailing how to apply for this internship. Also, read Vermont Quarterly, which showcases exciting research at UVM. Last summer’s issue featured an article about Fredman and Palchak’s work, entitled “In Search of the Smart Grid.” Exciting research is happening —  get involved!