Directory of Fuel Poverty Researchers

I am an interdisciplinary energy researcher currently investigating the interconnections between social factors of heat decarbonisation, e.g. fuel poverty, thermal comfort, health impacts, public acceptability, safety, etc., with the economic and environmental factors and their role in delivering a just and sustainable transition. Prior to this I worked for almost 7 years in building energy services and the energy-environment startup ecosystem.

The main objective of my research is to advice EU citizens and stakeholders to properly assess and address energy poverty. My main professional goal is to improve the efficiency and sustainability of energy conversion systems and buildings to ensure proper environmental and socio-economic integration.

I have extensive experience (30 years) in providing expert advice on issues of energy poverty and justice, energy efficiency, and transitions to low-carbon futures across UK, Europe and the Global South, as part of more than 60 projects funded by international organizations, national governments, charitable bodies and the private sector. I have specialist expertise in energy inequality measurement and identification, socio-demographics, as well as energy policy development and evaluation. This has been presented in over 150 peer-reviewed scientific publications and seven books on the subject.

I have experience in low carbon transitions and retrofit from a local government perspective, based on my work in academic research (university), policy development (think tank), practitioner (in local government and social housing), and cross-sectoral collaborations in all three fields.

I have worked at National Energy Action (NEA) for four years, focussing on shaping the energy market so that it works well for fuel poor and vulnerable households, as well as campaigning for a fair and affordable transition to net zero.

I am a principal investigator of multiple national and international research and consultancy projects and high-level policy support studies on buildings' energy efficiency, energy poverty, sustainable cities, and climate change adaptation and mitigation. I am part of the Coordination team of EPAH - EU Energy Poverty Advisory Hub for DG Energy, European Commission, where we have been conducting research on national and local indicators, mapping energy poverty actions worldwide, and supporting EU local authorities for energy poverty mitigation.

I am interested in how people experience fuel poverty in daily life, as well as how policy and the energy market shape these experiences. I also research the transition to Net Zero, and how it is likely to impact on those that are already vulnerable (including those already in fuel poverty).

My research focuses on the development of evidence-based built environment decarbonisation policy that is inclusive (considers all sectors of the building stock) & resilient (to future climate change). I am an expert in identifying equitable solutions for Hard to Decarbonise Homes, where the reduction of carbon emissions involves costs that are higher, barriers that are more difficult to overcome, or solutions that are more complex to implement

My current research focuses on power and inequality. I aim to uncover the institutional and structural arrangements that render some people vulnerable to energy poverty, such as the design of energy/housing markets and the stigmatisation of marginalised groups in society.