Directory of Fuel Poverty Researchers

My expertise include perspectives on energy poverty in South America. Specifically, my research is focused on heating deprivation in cases of high inequality and cold climate, as well as the right to energy, and constitutional discussions on that topic.

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.

My research uses in-depth interviews to understand people’s experiences of deep fuel and transport poverty in the UK with focus on people living in cities, spanning the South and North of the UK. I also work on issues of low carbon energy transition and access in South Africa. I focus on how energy use affects wellbeing in multiple connected ways, including abilities to access/use digital services and transport as well as heat/cooling and light.

I am particularly concerned with the impact of energy policies and energy poverty on the most fragile groups of the population, and my work favours an intersectional approach. In addition, I am interested in the experiences and views of indigenous groups from different regions (mainly Latin America) on environmental and energy issues.

I conduct research on energy economics, policy and regulation issues connected with sustainable development. I acquired experience in renewable, sustainable and cleaner energy transition; energy vulnerability, resilience and poverty; resource governance; energy-food-water nexus; composite indicators; and microfinance projects connected with these subjects. Besides research and teaching, I am president of the CED - Center for Economic Development & Social Change and I serve as editor and reviewer for several of journals in the field.

I work with Indigenous and marginalised groups to try to understand lived experiences of extreme heat, and I am working towards a people-centred definition of cooling poverty. In these times of increasing and prolonged heatwaves, it is crucial we diversify our knowledge, and share local-based strategies to cope with extreme heat. Journalism can help democratise this information.

I am an applied interdisciplinary researcher, and I like collaborating with diverse groups of people to develop holistic solutions to real life energy issues. My research interests include the role of public policy and policymaking processes in shaping energy, structural inequalities in the distribution of affordable and clean forms of energy, health and wellbeing outcomes, and indicators for measuring the complex realities of energy poverty.