The Global Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Ian's work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
About Ian
RoleMy role within the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences is Professor of Environmental Politics, specialising in climate and energy politics and other sustainability issues.
Qualifications and Background
I gained a BA (Hons) in Geography from the University of Birmingham in 1987, and an MSc in Social Research in 1996 and a PhD in 2000 (both University of Plymouth). I pursued a management career between 1987 and 1998 before returning to academia.
Research and Teaching Interests
My research and teaching interests span various aspects of environmental politics and sustainability, from climate change and the social dimensions of renewable energy to grassroots sustainability transitions, education for sustainable development, waste management, and societal engagement with marine environments. Geographically, my research focuses mainly, but not exclusively, on the EU, UK, Australia and New Zealand.
These interests are strongly reflected in my undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, where I teach modules on Sustainable Futures, Environmental Politics and Governance, Global Environmental Solutions, Climate Science and Policy, and Sustainability: Science, Governance and Society.
My recent work includes the politics of carbon markets, political strategising in national and international climate politics, the anchoring effect of climate change acts on national climate policies, and linkages between media coverage and governance activity on plastics and other environmental problems. General I am a member of the University of Plymouth's Sustainable Earth Institute Executive and have served on the Devon Net Zero Task Force and Climate Task Force since 2019. I have been an expert reviewer for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth and Sixth Assessment Reports.
Teaching
My research interests in environmental and sustainability issues are reflected across my contributions to teaching on the Geography and Environmental Science Undergraduate programmes and the MRes/MSc Sustainable Environmental Management.
Undergraduate
GGX1206 Sustainable Futures
GGH3210 Environmental Politics and Governance
GGX3200 Dissertation in Geography
ENVS2003 Environmental Management and Sustainability
ENVS3013 Global Environmental Solutions
ENVS3016 Climate science and policy
Postgraduate
GEES516 Science, Society and Environmental Governance
GEES519 From field to stakeholder
GEES520 MSc Dissertation
