Sustainable Futures

Alice Venn

PhD Researcher in Environment, Energy and Resilience (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, Law School

Start date: September 2014

Research topic: International law and climate change

My research focuses on the protection of climate vulnerable states and communities under international law. It analyses key avenues within international environmental law, state responsibility and human rights law, capable of providing these states and communities with an effective remedy for losses incurred as a result of adverse climate change impacts. It is driven by a desire to contribute to the growing climate justice literature from an international legal perspective, taking into account the access to justice challenges which exist in practice. It includes a regional case study of the South Pacific, examining climate justice and the enforceability of international mechanisms at a more grassroots level.

Research supervisors: Dr Margherita Pieraccini (Bristol), Professor Katrina Brown (Exeter)

Email: alice.venn@bristol.ac.uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/alice_venn

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

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, School of Law

Start date: October 2019

Research topic: The potential of food-by-product-fabrics for sustainable fashion; the case of Pinatex “plant-based- leather”.

The fashion industry has recently come under scrutiny for its environmental impacts. My research will explore textiles innovations which have been developed to improve the sustainability credentials of this sector. Specifically, my project will critically examine sustainable materials which are designed and made from food by-products, sold and worn as fashion items, and then returned to the soil via biodegradation. Food-based biofabrics align with circular economy principles by exploiting food waste as a ‘raw material’ within apparel pipelines.

My research uses an interdisciplinary, qualitative approach combining sustainable business studies, fashion geography and materials science.

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/

Chris Bryant

PhD Researcher in Environment, Energy and Resilience (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bath, Department of Psychology

Start date: September 2016

Research topic: Public acceptability of cultured meat

Cultured meat is meat grown from animal cells without the need to slaughter animals. My research is in individual attitudes towards cultured meat products, especially the cognitive and affective mechanisms shaping behaviour towards cultured meat. I am exploring how perceptions change over time, the mechanisms underpinning this change, and the role of emotions in forming perceptions of unfamiliar objects.

Research supervisors: Dr Julie Barnett (Bath), Dr Eldin Fahmy (Bristol)

Email: C.J.Bryant@bath.ac.uk

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/chris-bryant-75b6546b

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

Jack Nicholls

PhD Researcher in Energy, Environment and Resilience (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, Law School / SPAIS

Start date: September 2014

Research topic: Public engagement in energy infrastructure development

My research is focused on different forms of public engagement and public participation employed in the decision-making, planning and operation of energy projects. Different ownership models including, commercial, cooperative and community benefit societies are considered and localised impacts examined.

Research supervisors: Professor Patrick Devine-Wright (Exeter), Dr Therese O’Toole (Bristol), Dr Margherita Pieraccini (Bristol)

Professional memberships/Positions held:

Council member of South West Research Cooperative

Email: jack.nicholls@bristol.ac.uk

Jessica Britton

PhD Researcher in Environment, Energy and Resilience (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, College of Life and Environmental Sciences

Start date: September 2012

Research topic: The role of city-scale in energy transitions: heat networks in the UK and Germany

My research examines the development of heat networks in the UK and Germany with particular focus on the role of municipal utilities.  The research will explore the integration of heat networks into the energy system and models of city scale energy provision and ownership.  More broadly, the project aims to explore the interaction of different actors, institutions and governance in urban energy infrastructure in order to better understand scales in socio-technical transitions.  My broader research interests focus on low carbon innovation at a local level, particularly exploring the role of local authorities in energy governance, policy development and implementation.

Research supervisors: Dr Bridget Woodman (Exeter), Dr David Sweeting (Bristol)

Professional memberships/Positions held:

British Institute of Energy Economics – Member

Regional Studies Association – Member

Email: j.britton@exeter.ac.uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jesswhiting

Website/Blog: http://geography.exeter.ac.uk/staff/index.php?web_id=Jessica_Britton

Jonathan Flower

PhD Researcher in Sustainable Futures
UWE Bristol, Geography and Environmental Management (ESRC 1+3)

Start date: September 2017

Research topic: Contested Urban Street Space – Exploring the relationships between road user behaviour, walking and cycling infrastructure, and highway regulations.

The future of sustainable transport relies on an understanding of behaviour in relation to interactions within the transport environment and mode choice. I will explore road user behaviour in situations where increased highway space is allocated to active mobility, or its relative priority elevated. Social behaviours within the public realm are influenced by the law and regulation, and by the design of the environment, yet regulation is influenced by behaviour and the environment, and the environment is influenced by behaviour and regulation. These inter-relations are an under-researched area that I wish to investigate further.

Research supervisors: Professor John Parkin, Dr Ian Walker

Email: jonathan.flower@uwe.ac.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-flower-62634091/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JontyFlower

Website/Blog: https://contestedstreetspace.wordpress.com/

Niall McLoughlin

PhD Researcher in Environment, Energy and Resilience (ESRC +3)
University of Bath, Department of Psychology

Start date: September 2015

Research topic: Encouraging pro-environmental and adaptive behaviour change through tailored framing appeals in contrasting cultural contexts

Research supervisors: Dr Ian Walker (Bath), Dr Saffron O'Neill (Exeter)

Email: ncm27@bath.ac.uk

Pamela Buchan

PhD Researcher in Environment, Energy and Resilience (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, College of Life and Environmental Sciences

Start date: September 2015

Research topic: Investigating marine citizenship and its role in creating good marine environmental health

This research will critically analyse the spectrum of stakeholder engagement and participatory approaches employed within the marine environmental sector in the UK. In collaboration with case-study partners it will empirically examine examples of applied citizen science and engagement in marine policy and planning, to illuminate successful methods that can be applied to environmental policy more broadly. This interdisciplinary research will bridge the interface between marine science, governance and policy, and behavioural and educational theories. The application of the findings will support marine and coastal environmental management through a greater understanding of how policy and management intersect with the public.

Research supervisors: Dr Louisa Evans (Exeter), Dr Margherita Pieraccini (Bristol), Professor Stuart Barr (Exeter)

Professional memberships/Positions held:

Postgraduate Fellowship of the Royal Geographical Society

Trustee of Sea-Changers

Email: pb381@exeter.ac.uk

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/PamelaBuchan

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Asterinidae

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

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