Jessica Balest is a senior researcher at the Institute for Renewable Energy of Eurac Research, working within the Urban and Regional Energy Systems’ group. After a bachelor’s degree in Political Sociology and a master’s degree in Sociology of the Environment, she obtained a Ph.D. in Land, Environment, Resources, and Health at the University of Padua (IT). She is working on several EU projects (e.g., H2020 EnerMaps, Interreg ITA-AU Shelter), and she is a principal investigator in the Solstice ROLES project. Her main issues relate to social and energy practices in daily life, e.g., energy savings. She is also working for engaging marginalized local communities and vulnerable people in energy-related issues, emphasizing energy democracy processes.