Helen Traill

Dr. Helen Traill is a Lecturer in Political Economy and Sustainability at the Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow. Her research explores the intersections of urban life, community organizations, and sustainability transitions, with a focus on qualitative methodologies and urban land politics.

Education:

• PhD in Sociology from the London School of Economics and Political Science

Research Interests: Helen investigates the dynamics of community food systems, ethics of sustainability in deprived urban areas, and multi-scalar governance challenges in energy transitions. Her work emphasizes social networks, practices of communality, and the political economy of urban land use.

Publication Trends: Recent works (2024) analyze metrics in community food work, care infrastructure in urban deprivation, and multi-scalar energy governance. Earlier publications (2023-2020) examine European municipal energy transitions, Glasgow's food hubs, and post-neoliberal economic democracy models.

Scientific Awards:

• Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2020 – Making a Difference
• University of Glasgow Knowledge Exchange & Public Engagement Awards 2020 – Best Community Engagement Initiative

Grants and Teaching: Secured multiple grants including Glasgow Knowledge Exchange Flexible Fund (£14,918) and Strategic Research Fund (£1,818). Course coordinates Management Research Methods and contributes to postgraduate and honors courses on research methodology and community entrepreneurship.

Labs and Teams: Active in the Community Food working group of the Glasgow City Food Plan and collaborates with European NGOs via Horizon2020 projects.