Jennifer Dickie

I started my lectureship in Environmental Geography at the University of Stirling in June 2015, where I specialise in energy geographies. Prior to moving to Stirling, I completed my PhD in Physical Geography at the University of Leicester, where I stayed on as a postdoctoral researcher working on a number of interdisciplinary research projects that spanned the social and natural sciences. My first role was as a researcher and teaching developer in the HEFCE-funded Spatial Literacy in Learning and Teaching CETL, investigating the pedagogies of mobile Geographical Information Science (GIS) and Virtual Reality with particular focus on human/environmental applications. Recognising the value of interdisciplinary approaches, I then diversified and engaged with more social sciences projects where I developed my qualitative research skills.

My research now focuses on the socio-environmental interactions of the energy landscape. I'm particularly interested in the role of energy in the water- energy - food nexus, and how energy solutions can improve health. Community engagement and creative co-creation is playing an increasingly important role in my research, which broadly focuses on energy access and vulnerability, public perceptions and reaction to energy technologies, sustainable housing and behaviours, and a just transition to a low carbon economy. I specialise in using mixed method approaches in my research, including GIS, participatory mapping, mobile and social data collection techniques to explore the complex relationships among climate change, energy and sustainability.

My recent research activities include- Water and Fire: Understanding and reducing risk with 15 “Best Bets” for enhancing capacity for transformative adaptation with vulnerable township residents on the Cape Flats in Cape Town, South Africa. (GCRF-ESRC); Re-energising Clackmannanshire: engaging communities around energy for a healthier, wealthier and greener future. (UKRI); Evaluating the relationship between public perception, engagement and attitudes towards underground energy technologies and UK Geoenergy Observatory science. (British Geological Survey); Understanding the spatial and temporal dynamics of public attitudes and community responses to shale gas: an integrated approach. (NERC Unconventional Hydrocarbons Programmer); Beyond the ‘energy silo’: exploring energy challenges and their interactions with food, water and health in rural India and Scotland (Scottish Alliance for Geosciences, Environment & Society PECRE award); Getting the right spatial mix: methods for robust spatial planning for renewable energy. (SECURE feasibility project).