From 2021 through to the start of 2024 I was exploring with the Hunter Valley community what a good energy transition could look like. The vehicle for this was my PhD candidature at the University of Technology, Sydney.

 

I was generously invited by Hunter Renewal to be part of their team for this period. My supervisory team were Cameron Tonkinwise and Abby Mellick Lopes.

​

The primary objective of my research was to examine the role of public participation in planning the phase-out of coal mining in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales
and to use this inquiry to suggest practical opportunities for designers in supporting participation in sustainability transitions. 

​

I am currently under examination, but will publish my results here once I am able.

​

The diagram below shows the overall process. I followed an action research methodology because it is aimed at developing understanding toward action. The two fieldwork cycles produced two reports for Hunter Renewal and Hunter Jobs Alliance (Future-proofing and the Blueprint). You can read more about my process on my Medium page.

​

​