I am an interdisciplinary researcher situated at the intersection of environmental/urban geography, sustainability transitions, and policy/governance scholarship. I examine (i) the role of experimentation in influencing sustainable urban transitions and (ii) strategic governance and policy levers for driving these sustainable transformations in practice. I have worked extensively within the urban water domain, having undertaking numerous research projects within the (former) National Urban Water Governance Program, the (former) CRC for Water Sensitive Cities, and various government agencies. I also have experience working with the Monash Energy Institute to examine (i) just energy transition pathways and (ii) early experiments with microgrids to support greater penetration of decentralised energy systems. 

My current research focuses on sustainability experimentation and transitions pathways: 

Tracing the impact of urban experimentation in water and energy domains (2021-2024) ARC Discovery Grant (DP210100571)

As Primary Chief Investigator, I work closely with Prof. Rob Raven (MSDI) and Dr Wikke Novalia to investigate how experimenting with alternative urban infrastructure systems can generate policy impact and lead to sustainable urban transitions. Together with 2 PhDs we are answering tricky questions around the utility and impact of "experimentation" and the need to attend to 'place-based transitions'.  

Sustainability transformation pathways for small to medium enterprises (2021-2024) ARC Discovery Grant project (DP210110572) 

Together with A/Prof. Wendy Stubbs we aim to characterise the enabling policy environment to support small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with embracing more sustainable business practices. 

TRANSFORM: Accelerating sustainability entrepreneurship experiments in local spaces. Led by Prof. Sarah Burch at University of Waterloo, Canada (funded by SSHRC), this program of research seeks to advance knowledge around how SMEs can play a key role in expediting a transition towards greater sustainability outcomes. 

Net Zero Precincts: An interdisciplinary approach to decarbonising cities ARC Linkage project (LP200100296) 

The project seeks to approach the transition to net zero through an interdisciplinary lens, and as a Chief Investigator on this project, I am working closely with a PhD student to identify how we can innovate new governance approaches to advance decarbonisation of city precincts. 

I have successfully supervised to completion: 14 PhDs; 3 Master of Research; 6 Honours projects and 16 Masters 24pt Research projects. While I am not immediately taking on any new students, I am always open to discussion about future projects. 

Some of the projects I currently supervise: 

1. Processes and places: how urban experimentation accumulates to influence urban water sustainability.  
2. Experimenting with energy futures: advancing distributed energy transitions in Australia.
3. Innovations in local governance for delivering net zero transitions at the precinct scale

Topics of interest for future PhD research ...

• Intersection of Urban Water Management & Climate Change Adaptation
• Intersection of water management and nature-based solutions
• Novel approaches to emerging energy policy and governance
• Innovations in environmental governnace broadly (policy, approaches, strategies)
• Place-making and reimagining urban streetscapes

Current teaching: 

APG5155 Designing Research in the Humanities and Social Sciences 

Previous teaching/coordination roles:  

Perspectives on Sustainability (ENS5020) (2014-2021)

Extreme Earth! Natural Hazards and Human Vulnerability (ATS1310)

Resource Evaluation and Management (ATS3554/APG4554) (2015-2019)

Cities and Sustainability (2019-2022)

Environmental Governance (2009-2010)

Environmental Analysis and Decision-Making (2009-2010)

Frontiers in Environment and Sustainability (2011-2012)

I have extensive experience working to deliver relevant consultancy-related research requirements: from program/policy evaluations, through to identifying contemporary best practices in sustainable urban water and energy domains. I have worked across local and state government perspectives, but also for NGOs and other peak industry bodies.