Peter Holm is an accomplished researcher specializing in the ethnographic study of work, governance, and expertise within organizations and projects. His interdisciplinary approach combines ethnographic methods, in-depth interviews, and rigorous policy analysis to explore the intricate dynamics of organizational structures, market formations, and architectural competitions designed to address pressing societal challenges. His work offers valuable insights into how expertise is constructed and utilized in various settings, particularly within the evolving landscape of energy and sustainability.
Currently serving as an Assistant Professor, Peter Holm is a key contributor to the research project ‘Green transition through the dynamics of problematizations.’ This project, funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark, is a collaborative effort with colleagues from Aalborg University, DTU, and CBS, focusing on the Danish state’s role in evaluating energy resources. Within this significant project, Peter’s research delves into contemporary valuation practices, governance frameworks, and the processes of resource creation, with a specific emphasis on the burgeoning fields of biogas and Power-to-X technologies. His analytical toolkit includes policy document reviews, insightful interviews, and direct observations of meetings and seminars at the Danish Energy Agency, providing a rich understanding of the energy policy landscape.
Previously, Peter Holm undertook a postdoctoral project, ‘Organizing Energy Consumption’ (2016-2020), supported by EUDP and I-REMB. During this period, he represented CBS in the EcoGrid 2.0 smart grid project, a pioneering demonstration initiative aimed at developing market-based solutions for managing fluctuating electricity production within the Danish grid. His engagement in EcoGrid 2.0 involved extensive ethnographic research into the methods engineers employed to construct a market for flexible electricity consumption. Furthermore, he conducted field studies in Bornholm, encompassing interviews with project participants and prolonged observations of repair work carried out by field technicians. The findings from this project have been publicly disseminated and published in leading academic journals and platforms across science and technology studies (STS), market studies, energy research, and work and employment studies, highlighting the breadth and impact of his research.
Peter Holm’s research extends beyond energy systems. He is currently engaged in a collaborative study with colleagues from the Department of Accounting at CBS, focusing on the Danish Hospital Programme. His doctoral research at Roskilde University involved ethnographic investigations into dialogue-based architectural competitions. The outcomes of this research have been shared with the public and are documented in his PhD thesis, a published book, book chapters, and articles in prominent journals spanning accounting, architectural research, organization studies, and management. This diverse portfolio demonstrates his ability to apply ethnographic methods to a wide range of organizational and societal contexts.
In addition to his research and teaching, Peter Holm contributes to academic discourse as an editor of the podcast series ‘Organisationers Verden’ alongside Marianne Benfeldt Kellmann and Emil Husted. This podcast serves as a platform for exploring contemporary issues in organization studies and making academic insights accessible to a broader audience.
Peter Holm’s work is characterized by its rigorous ethnographic approach, its focus on contemporary societal challenges, and its contribution to both academic understanding and public knowledge. His expertise makes him a valuable resource for insights into the workings of organizations, the governance of complex systems, and the dynamics of energy transitions.
