Sustainable Futures

Annayah Prosser

PhD Researcher in Sustainable Futures (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bath, Department of Psychology

Start date: September 2018

Research topic: From Action to Identity and Back Again: An exploration of the adoption, maintenance, and transmission of pro-environmental behaviour among moralised practice group members and non-members

Transport, diet and material consumption are widely identified as crucial sites for environmental behaviour change. However, these behaviours are woven into daily life, and their change requires a great deal of personal or social sacrifice. Despite this, many people adapt their daily behaviour drastically in light of moral sensitivity to environmental concerns- adopting new identities (e.g. Vegan or Voluntary Simplifier) and reorganizing their lifestyles in accordance with their moral values.

My research examines intra and intergroup processes involved in the maintenance, transmission and adoption of pro-environmental identities, and their role in influencing or inhibiting social change in wider populations.

Research supervisors: Dr Tim Kurz, Dr Saffron O’Neill , Dr Jan-Willem Bolderdijk

Professional memberships/Positions held:

Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Society for Improving Psychological Science

Email: ap832@bath.ac.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annayah-prosser-b966639b/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/annayahprosser

Basia Cieszewska

PhD Researcher in Sustainable Futures (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, College of Life and Environmental Sciences

Start date: September 2021

Research topic: Accelerating the net zero transition: the case of whole house retrofit

Achieving net zero requires radical and transformative action in a short timeframe with no prior precedents for a systemic transformation at this scale and speed. I am interested in how transitions can be accelerated, while taking into account that fundamentally this is a social and not just a technological or economic transformation. My research will explore how acceleration of transitions is enabled or constrained by focusing on the challenges of retrofitting UK homes. Current climate change targets will not be met without the near-complete decarbonisation of the housing stock, while achieving it also offers numerous societal co-benefits.

Research supervisors: Dr Catherine Butler , Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh , Dr Iain Soutar

Email: b.w.cieszewska@exeter.ac.uk

Ben Newport

PhD Researcher in Natural Resource Management (ESRC/NERC +4)
University of Bristol, School of Geographical Sciences

Start date: September 2018

Research topic: Integrating ecological and socioeconomic analysis to optimise forest protection and restoration to meet international climate targets and SDGs.

Reforestation plays a key role in many tropical countries’ pledges under the Paris Agreement, whilst simultaneously providing co-benefits such as biodiversity protection and income generation for local communities. However, there is often a disconnect between the social and biophysical sciences when planning and implementing such multifunctional forest interventions. By incorporating approaches from both disciplines, my research aims to develop a framework for designing reforestation interventions which provide the greatest overall benefits at a landscape-scale whilst being sustainable into the long-term. Specifically, I am focusing on the peatland forests of Malaysian Borneo and its resident Dayak communities.

Research supervisors: Dr Naomi Millner , Dr T.C. Hales , Dr Jo House

Email: bn16912@bristol.ac.uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BRNewport

Bethany Sugg

PhD Researcher in Sustainable Futures (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, Department of Management

Start date: October 2019

Research topic: Exploring the Role of Circular Textiles within Global Fashion Operations

The fashion industry is increasingly coming under fire due to concerns surrounding its sustainability. As just one example, it is thought that if the sector continues on its current trajectory, it will account for a quarter of the world’s carbon emissions by 2050. A potential way to alleviate some of these concerns could be to transition towards using circular textiles, as opposed to virgin alternatives. These type of textiles align to the principles of the circular economy and can be created from bio-based or regenerated fibres. Through my interdisciplinary PhD I am exploring the barriers, motivators and relationships impacting the adoption of circular textiles within commercial fashion ranges.

Research supervisors: Professor Ian Cook, Professor Agnes Nairn

Email: lo19663@bristol.ac.uk

Catherine Queen

PhD Researcher in Environment, Energy and Resilience (ESRC +3)
University of Exeter, College of Life and Environmental Sciences

Start date: September 2013

Research topic: The seldom-heard voice in public engagement with overhead power lines

I am exploring the tensions between the normative expectations of infrastructure planning, as a collaborative process, and the hard-to-reach public’s expectations of justice and fairness. There is limited literature exploring participation in Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, especially concerning publics who are involuntarily disengaged. I am using a Case Study approach, supported by qualitative methods of data collection, to identify the existing opportunities for public knowledge contributions and the barriers to participation for hard-to-reach groups or individuals. Focus groups, semi-structured interviews and walking interviews will help me to explore effective public engagement techniques focussing on the importance of place attachment.

Research supervisors: Professor Patrick Devine-Wright, Dr Karen Bickerstaff (Exeter), Professor Alan Lewis (Bath)

Professional memberships/Positions held:

CMLI – Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute

AIEMA – Associate Member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment

Email: caq201@exeter.ac.uk

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/catherine-queen-72261518

Celia Robbins

PhD Researcher in Sustainable Futures (ESRC +3)
University of Bristol, School of Geography

Start date: September 2017

Research topic: Community energy landscapes

As we shift away from large fossil-fuel power stations, power generation is no longer the preserve of a few big companies. Community groups can own wind turbines or solar farms, generating profit to help local services while they tackle CO₂ emissions. But community involvement does not guarantee local support, or a smooth path through the planning process. Most studies about contentious renewable energy projects have looked at private-sector schemes; my research will address what happens when there is disagreement within a community. I will look at different interpretations of what ‘community energy’ is and ask how people are affected by changes to places and landscapes arising from new ways of generating and managing power.

Research supervisors: Professor Patrick Devine-Wright (Exeter), Professor Katie Williams (UWE), Dr Catherine Butler (Exeter)

Professional memberships/Positions held:

SWDTP Student Rep

Email: cr481@exeter.ac.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celia-robbins-09433aa4/

Fay Kahane

PhD Researcher in Sustainable Futures (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, College of Geography and Environmental Science

Start date: October 2020

Research topic: Saving which bees? Investigating the social & economic impacts of rewilding honeybees.

I’m an ecologist moving into social science, and this interdisciplinary project will explore sustainability in beekeeping. There’s increasing interest in rewilding honeybees to facilitate survival of this economically and environmentally critical pollinator outside of managed hives. Working with beekeepers and other stakeholders, I’ll investigate ecological impacts of changing practices using field data, the BEEHAVE model and disease analysis. Using Q-methodology and Social Network Analysis, I’ll investigate how perspectives and practice change over the course of this collaborative research, with aims to enhance communication among the beekeeping community, scientists and policymakers, and facilitate evidence-led action for pollinators (managed and wild).

Research supervisors: Dr Karen Scott, Professor Martin Parker, Professor Juliet Osborne, Professor Stefano Pascucci

Professional memberships/Positions held:

MCIEEM: Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management

Email: fk300@exeter.ac.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faykahane/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FayKahane

George Hoppit

PhD Researcher in Natural Resource Management (ESRC/NERC +4)
University of Bristol, School of Geographical Sciences

Start date: September 2018

Research topic: Beyond paper parks: Managing Marine Protecting areas for ecological and social benefits

Research supervisors: Daniela Schmidt, Rachel Turnet, Margherita Pierracinni

Email: george.hoppit@bristol.ac.uk

Hannah Hayes

PhD Researcher in Sustainable Futures (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, College of Life and Environmental Sciences

Start date: October 2020

Research topic: Stronger together: the role of community resilience in managing flooding and coastal erosion risk

My PhD research will focus on the role of resilience in managing the risk and impact of flooding and coastal change. I previously worked for the Environment Agency. My role was directly involved in the scoping, development and consultation of the Environment Agency’s new strategic approach to managing flooding and coastal change in England (published in 2020). The new approach focuses on managing the increasing risk by moving from protection to resilience.

Research supervisors: Professor Neil Adger, Dr Saffron O'Neill, Professor Julie Barnett (University of Bath)

Professional memberships/Positions held:

Member of CIWEM (Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management).

SWDTP Student Rep

Email: hh547@exeter.ac.uk

Sam Collier

PhD Researcher in Sustainable Futures (ESRC/NERC +3)
University of Bristol, School of Geographical Studies

Start date: September 2017

Research topic: The geography of local energy and its role in the energy transition

My research seeks to determine the role of local energy actors in the spatial diffusion of solar photovoltaics, and their contribution to overcoming the energy trilemma of energy security, energy affordability (and equity) and environmental sustainability. Spatial analysis will identify factors associated with the uptake of small-scale solar at various geographical scales, reflecting energy governance as multi-scalar. This spatial work will inform a subsequent case study approach, which will assess local energy’s current role in the energy system and how this might evolve in the future.

Research supervisors: Dr Jo House (Bristol), Dr Peter Connor (Exeter), Professor Rich Harris (Bristol)

Professional memberships/Positions held:

British Institute of Energy Economics – Student Member

Bristol Futures – Mentor

Email: sam.collier@bristol.ac.uk

Sam Taylor

PhD Researcher in Sustainable Futures (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bath, Department of Psychology

Start date: October 2020

Research topic: Promoting Social-Environmental Participation and Well-being Through Shared Values

People tend to share compassionate values, but they tend not to accurately perceive the level of similarity. My research aims to develop interventions based on demonstrating the extent compassionate values are shared by others in one’s community. The effects of these on a number of outcomes related to social and environmental sustainability will be examined, such as well-being, civic participation and intellectual humility in public debate and discussion.

Research supervisors: Professor Gregory Maio (University of Bath), Professor Richard Harris (University of Bristol

Email: sjt80@bath.ac.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-taylor-a0763018b/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamTaylor475

Sophia Buchanan Barlow

Sustainable Futures 1+3
University of Exeter, College of Life and Environmental Sciences

Start date: September 2021

Research topic: Investigating human and environment interdependency through relational wellbeing in blue-green spaces

Social scientists have become increasingly interested in human-environment interactions. Alongside this, policy instruments are grappling with how sustainability and human wellbeing can be simultaneously enhanced. My research aims to further the concept of relational wellbeing to connect ideas around stewardship, care and empathy. Using qualitative research methods – such as walking interviews and photo-elicitation workshops – I will analyse how resource-users and the public, more generally, experience blue-green spaces and the impact this has on their relational wellbeing. This research aims to contribute new knowledge on human-environment interdependency and how sustainability and wellbeing can be fostered for those interacting with blue-green spaces.

Research supervisors: Dr Louisa Evans, Dr Hannah Parrott, Dr Catherine Butler

Email: sjb281@exeter.ac.uk

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sophia-buchanan-barlow-5616a3184

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiabbarlow

Sylvia Hayes

PhD Researcher in Sustainable Futures (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, College of Life and Environmental Sciences

Start date: September 2019

Research topic: Constructing Climate Change in an Online World

I am interested in the way climate change is communicated and discussed in an increasingly online media landscape. My research attempts to investigate the impact of institutional norms and pressures on media representations of climate change by assessing how the modern newsroom impacts upon the framing of climate change in media content produced. I am particularly interested in the way that new digital technologies and platforms are having an effect on climate change in the media.

Research supervisors: Dr Saffron O’Neill, Dr Tim Kurz

Email: sh737@exeter.ac.uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sylviahayes98