Empathy & Innovation: Daniele Ciarrocchi On Energy Poverty At The ENPOWER Summer School
For Daniele Ciarrocchi, a law student from the University of Macerata, the ENPOWER Summer School in Leuven was a chance to step into an interdisciplinary space where technology, policy, and society meet. While his background is rooted in law, Daniele discovered that his perspective could enrich (and be enriched by) the insights of engineers, economists, and scientists gathered under one roof.
What struck him most was the human dimension of energy poverty. “The greatest skill I am taking away is empathy toward vulnerable groups”, Daniele reflected. He explained that while technical solutions are essential, they must be designed with people at the center if they are to create real change. The Summer School gave him a new appreciation for how policies, justice, and citizen participation intersect with energy systems, and how lawyers can contribute to making those systems fairer.
For Daniele, the mix of practical exercises, lectures, and workshops created a fertile environment to learn beyond the boundaries of his discipline. Interacting with peers from other fields allowed him to see how different approaches can come together to solve complex challenges. He also found value in the informal moments (city walks, group discussions, and shared experiences)which made the learning collaborative and engaging.
Looking back, Daniele sees the Summer School as a milestone in his academic journey. It reinforced his belief that interdisciplinary collaboration is not just beneficial but necessary for tackling climate and energy challenges. By combining empathy with innovation, he believes young researchers can help shape an energy transition that is not only sustainable but also just.
