Between dialogue and decision-making : communication and stakeholder trust in the Sizewell C project

Sammanfattning

This thesis contributes to research on public trust in large-scale infrastructure projects and energy transitions. It examines this issue through the case of the Sizewell C nuclear energy project in the United Kingdom, focusing on trust in the responsible actor and critically examining how communication efforts and stakeholder engagement initiatives impact local stakeholders’ trust through the lens of Susan Senecah’s theoretical framework, the Trinity of Voice, which comprises three dimensions: Access, Civic Standing, and Influence. The research is based on qualitative interviews with 11 stakeholders in the vicinity of the Sizewell C site and at its London headquarters. The findings indicate that all three dimensions of the Trinity of Voice are present within the project, although they vary in degree of expression. While multiple communication channels provide stakeholders with access to information, and most participants report feeling individually acknowledged (civic standing), the dimension of influence remains significantly constrained. Stakeholders frequently perceive their contributions as having minimal impact on decision-making processes, fostering a widespread belief that many decisions are predetermined. Moreover, communication efforts are frequently described as overwhelming or lacking authenticity. Although stakeholders express appreciation for the project’s engagement initiatives, these efforts do not consistently foster a sense of inclusivity. In conclusion, the study suggests that, despite some foundational conditions for trust, limited influence and inadequacies in communication significantly undermine trust in the Sizewell C project. To enhance stakeholder trust, it is imperative to adopt more locally tailored and genuine participatory approaches.