Advancing sustainable bioeconomy and energy transitions with a focus on justice, gender, and global impact
I am a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial College London, where I have been working for over 20 years. My research focuses on sustainable bioeconomy systems, bioenergy transitions, and the socio-economic dimensions of climate, landscape, and energy policies. I work at the interface of science, policy, and society, developing sustainability assessment frameworks that combine environmental, economic, social, and governance indicators. A key dimension of my work is integrating gender equality and social justice into energy and bioeconomy transitions.
My interest in this field comes from a commitment to understanding how environmental challenges intersect with social and economic inequalities. Early in my career, I recognised the need for data on the impacts of activities related to climate change, energy access, and land use, challenges that are not only technical but also social and political. This motivated me to focus on sustainability assessment applied to energy and the bioeconomy as ways to reconcile environmental safeguards with inclusive development.
Over the years, I have developed sustainability indicators and analytical frameworks, collaborating with international organisations including UNEP, UNDP, UNIDO, FAO, the Global Bioenergy Partnership, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the World Bank. Among the projects I value most are those that have shaped practical approaches to sustainable bioenergy and the bioeconomy. For example, in the Global BioPact project, I developed indicators to assess the social impacts of bioenergy production across countries. I am also proud of my involvement in the Bioenergy Strategy for East Africa, where I spent more than four years seconded to a regional think tank, coordinating interdisciplinary research across multiple countries. This work brought together governments, researchers, and local stakeholders to generate policy-relevant evidence on sustainability, land use, and socio-economic impacts.
Working across disciplines and regions has presented challenges, particularly when integrating social dimensions such as gender equality into traditionally technical fields like energy systems. I have addressed these challenges by developing interdisciplinary methodologies and building strong collaborations with researchers, policymakers, and communities. Mentoring women in academia and professional contexts has also been an important part of my work, encouraging them to build strong networks, remain confident in their expertise, and pursue careers that contribute to both environmental sustainability and social wellbeing.
With over twenty years of experience, I have seen how interdisciplinary research, international collaboration, and a focus on justice can drive meaningful change. I remain committed to advancing sustainable and inclusive pathways in energy and the bioeconomy while supporting the next generation of scientists, particularly women, to make their mark in research and policy.
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