Energy is a fascinating subject to study. Not only is the whole energy industry undergoing a historical transition, but the problems we face require knowledge in both technology, economics and social sciences, which makes them both interesting and demanding. I feel privileged to have been able to combine all these aspects in my studies and to be part of the energy transition that is going on in the world. To be able to combine these perspec-Thesis as well has been a cherry on top. I want to thank my supervisor, Professor Sanna Syri, for providing me the opportunity to study this interesting topic and letting me be part of the Energy Efficiency and Systems group at Aalto University. Thank you Sanna for your valuable comments and words of encouragement. I also want to thank my advisor Anahita Farsaei for all the tips and support along the way. Thank you Ana for sharing your knowledge about market power indices and making me question my calculations. All my other colleagues at Aalto deserve a thank you as well. Thank you, especially Ville, for helping me with the data for the Lerner index and thank you Tiia for all the discussions and great lunch company. As this thesis marks the end of my studies, I want to thank all of you that have made my years at Aalto and in Otaniemi both many and unforgettable. Without all the amazing people I have met, I would probably have graduated a lot quicker, but many life lessons and fun experiences shorter. After all, the courses can only teach you so much. So thank you Teknologföreningen for letting me bear responsibility and for being a home, thank you for all the Friday laughs and bubbles, the sorts of things that keep you going. Thank you Phux 15 for letting me be your Phuxivator and FTMK for making me Feel so welcome over the language barrier in Otaniemi. Thank you Laulikki Äpy and everyone at Rektorsgatan 1 for all the fun times, and not without a reason. Lastly, I want to thank my family, grandparents and everyone else who have supported me through the years. Thank you Mamma and Pappa for always believing in me. I always knew I could do it, thanks for you always knowing it too. And finally, thank you Markus for being by my side all along.

No abstract

Abstract:\ud \ud Over the last decade several projects and exhibitions have explored how crafts can play a central role for empowerment through social development, innovation and entrepreneurship. In order to facilitate this, there is a need to explore how craft practices can act as tools for empowerment, both in research and practice.\ud \ud The ‘Power to the People’ track at the European Academy of Design Conference in Gothenburg 2013 tried to answer on this challenge with a series craft-based seminars, each centred on a participant's proposed craft or ‘Paper of Practice’. This formed a series of practice-based seminars that mixed hands-on activities and discussion, centred on and emerging from the very act of doing