Andy Stirling

With a background in astronomy and 'science studies' and a masters in archaeology and social anthropology (Edinburgh 1984), my PhD is in 'science and technology policy' (Sussex 1995). Having worked earlier for Greenpeace (including as an international and national board-member), I’ve also been employed as a building labourer, laboratory technician, hospital porter and factory, farm and mental health care worker.

My 'transdisciplinary' research, teaching and policy advisory work at the Science Policy Research Unit at the University of Sussex focuses on issues of power, uncertainty, diversity and democracy across different areas of science, technology and innovation. A member of the Sussex Energy Group, I was formerly Research Director for SPRU (2006-13) and the Sussex Management School (2009-2012) and for fifteen years (2006-2021) co-directed the ESRC Centre at Sussex on Social Technological and Environmental Pathways to Sustainability (STEPS).

Formerly a member of the Research Council of the ESRC and of the Sociology sub-panel in the 2020 Research Excellence Framework, I have served as an advisor for the UK, for other national governments and for the European Commission on issues including energy policy, radioactive waste, nuclear power, toxic substances, GM foods, uncertainties, science advice, ethics of new technologies and science and society. I am presently an independent advisor to the official evaluation of the UK Government's Nuclear Innovation Programme.