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Tell us a little bit about you

I am a sociologist of higher education. I have worked in higher education in the US and UK for more than 20 years. For nearly 15 years, my research has been primarily focused on inequalities in higher education for staff and students in the US and UK, especially (though not limited to) inequalities related to gender, race/ethnicity, sexual identity, social class, disabilities, and caring responsibilities.

I was raised by my single mother below the poverty line in the US. I was a first in family/first generation student. I have lived and worked in the UK for 12 years. 

What is your area of research and what project(s) are you working on now?

My most recent research projects are focused on inequalities in STEM, including: the EPSRC-funded IGNITE+ project; the Royal Society of Chemistry and US Science and Innovation Network-funded LGBTQual+ project; the NERC-funded E-DIAL project; the SLiC-funded See Yourself in STEM project; the University of Manchester funded Inclusion for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a partnership between the University of Manchester, Stockholm University, and KTH Royal Institute of Technology; and the EPSRC-funded STEM Equals project. I also serve as the co-chair of the Gender and Education Association, an international academic charity founded in 1997, focused on addressing gender inequalities in education.

What do you think are the challenges for equity/equality, diversity and inclusion in the energy research community in reaching netzero targets by 2050?

The main challenge for the important work of reaching net zero is inclusion across STEM, especially related to energy. If we as a society want to solve the global challenges we are facing, then we need to be committed to inclusion as it is essential for innovation. I have written as much with my colleague Dr Marco Reggiani in "A Case for Inclusion as Essential for Innovation" https://www.stemequals.ac.uk/Portals/6/Responsible%20innovation%20case%20study%20STEM%20Equals.pdf

What should a supportive, inclusive energy research community look like?

An inclusive and supportive energy community is a space where all energy researchers, regardless of their identities, are welcomed, where their voices are heard and their contributions are valued, where they can bring their whole selves to the community.

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in Energy Research?

Anyone can be a scientist or engineer in energy and the energy research community needs everyone!

Fun question: If you had a magic wand, what is one thing you would change right now?

If I could wave a wand and change one thing, it would be that social equities would be achieved. I know that would mean I would be out of a job, since all of my research is focused on inequalities, but I would happily change professions if it means we could all live in an equitable society.