Assistant Professor
Business and Environment Coordinator
Credentials
PhD in Earth and Environment, University of Leeds
MSc in Ecological Economics (distinction), University of Edinburgh
BA in Economics, National University of Colombia, Medellín Campus
Research Keywords
Energy services, energy and development, human wellbeing, EROI (energy return on investment), participatory methods, energy poverty, demand and consumption, democracy.
Graduate Supervision
I supervise students in the graduate program in Environmental Studies.

Contact Information
416 736 2100
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3142-8766
Research Interests
My areas of research and teaching interest have shifted during my career in ecological economics, which has resulted in a broad understanding of ecological economics topics and methods. I have “travelled” through the whole energy chain: from exploring issues of energy extraction (through the concept of energy return on energy invested) to exploring issues of why we use energy in the way we do.
I find the dual nature of energy (as key for societal development but also as the main source of greenhouse gases and thus climate change) especially fascinating and challenging to deal with from an economic, political and social perspective. And I find the potential for political economy and wellbeing frameworks to unlock alternative routes to decoupling (beyond technological fixes and efficiency improvements) particularly promising. Such frameworks involve considering what energy demand is for and critically analysing the social-technical systems that influence our relationship with energy. They also involve questioning how and why we consume the things we do, including energy, and to reconsider whether our current way of doing things enables or hinders or wellbeing.
My approach to research and teaching is centered on real-world problems and thus focuses on finding possible avenues for change. I try to apply the most suited methods for the issue at hand, and in doing so I have developed expertise in both quantitative (including input-output and system dynamics) and qualitative (including participatory workshops) methods.
Research Projects
Research Output
Recognition and Awards
3rd Place – University of Leeds Postgraduate Researcher of the Year (1st Place for the Faculty of Environment) (2017)
Courses
Course Code | Title |
---|---|
Winter 21/22 3511 | Ecological Economics |
Winter 21/22 6182 | Environmental Analytics: Data, Models and Methods |
Winter 21/22 6121 | Community Energy Planning |
Winter 22/23 ENVS 2510 | Environmental Economics |