How can different disciplines, from engineering to the social sciences and humanities, work together to address today’s energy challenges? Why are some research findings more easily adopted by policymakers than others? This interactive session ( at the eceee summer study 2017 in the south of France ) will discuss real experiences of cross-sector working, and future energy challenges which require a collaborative approach. Workshop outputs will directly feed back to the European Commission’s strategy unit with responsibility for energy research and innovation.