I am a Lecturer in Political Theory & Public Policy in the Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy, University College London. I work on the politics, governance and ethics of climate change. I have spent more than 15 years working on these issues from multiple disciplinary perspectives, in numerous countries and in various professional capacities. I completed a PhD in Political Science (Political Theory) at the London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) in October 2019. I undertook postdoctoral research at Utrecht University and at the LSE before taking up my current position at UCL in September 2021. I also have more than five years’ professional experience, including as a lawyer and later as a policy analyst and freelance consultant, working on climate change and energy issues.
This page provides a brief introduction to my research, consultancy and media engagement.
research
My research focuses on the normative analysis of public policy and on processes of political change, especially concerning climate change and decarbonisation. Much of my work is interdisciplinary, drawing on my training in political theory, law and political science (political economy). My work on decarbonisation is organised around three themes:
Anti-fossil fuel politics and governance;
Just transitions for the "losers" from structural change;
Connected transformations and a new social contract.
Working on climate change—perhaps the most complex challenge facing humanity—has led me to engage critically with fundamental questions about democratic institutions, contemporary capitalism, inequalities, innovation, loss, agency, adaptation, and well-being.
Research projects→
Read more about my research themes and projects.
publications→
View a hyperlinked list of my academic and policy publications.
consultancy
I undertake consultancy work in fields relating to my expertise, specialising in projects that require advice and analysis concerning climate change mitigation policy and associated political strategy. I have a proven track record working as a consultant to government, businesses, NGOs, and think tanks in the UK and Australia.
In my consultancy work, I draw on more than five years' full-time professional experience in law and public policy. I began my career as a corporate lawyer in Australia specialising in climate change, energy, water and environmental regulation (2009-2012). I also spent two years as a Policy Analyst and Research Advisor to Professor Nicholas Stern (Lord Stern of Brentford) at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change & The Environment at the London School of Economics & Political Science (2014-2015).
consultancy→
Read more about my consultancy and past projects.
cv→
Read more about my professional experience.
Media
I have written about the politics and governance of climate change in over 100 op-eds, essays and blog posts, and given interviews for BBC World, BBC Radio Four, ABC television and radio (Australia), CCTV (China), Voice of America, and Radio France International. My climate change work has been covered by The Economist, The Financial Times, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Le Monde, The China Daily, Time Magazine, Foreign Policy and The Guardian, among others.
media→
View my media portfolio here.