Nicolas Graham

Nicolas Graham is a Banting Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Sociology at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Arts. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Victoria (2019) and specializes in the political economy of decarbonization and energy transition. His work examines social forces enabling and obstructing climate action, with particular focus on Canadian and U.S. contexts.

• Ph.D., University of Victoria, 2019

Graham's research centers on two primary streams: climate obstruction and competing frameworks for decarbonization. His climate obstruction work analyzes organized efforts to prevent climate action, examining the fossil fuel sector's economic organization and political-cultural influence through lobbying and entrenchment in research institutions. He also studies conservative think-tank networks and their role in obstructing climate solutions. His second research stream investigates competing projects for decarbonization, including Canada's environmental movement strategy and elite-driven 'green growth' policy networks. Graham employs network analysis to map policy-planning networks and discourses supporting green growth frameworks.

His publication record shows consistent focus on climate policy networks, fossil fuel industry influence, and environmental movement strategy. Graham's work frequently employs network analysis methodologies to examine connections between corporations, think tanks, foundations, and government entities. His research demonstrates increasing focus on digital communication channels and social media's role in climate discourse, alongside traditional policy network analysis.

• Canadian Review of Sociology Best Article 2022
• Canadian Review of Sociology Best Article 2020
• Canadian Sociological Association – Outstanding Graduating Student Award (Uvic PhD)
• BC Studies Journal Prize (Article of the Year 2017)

Graham has contributed significantly to understanding how incumbent interests shape climate policy through research reports for organizations like the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the Climate Social Science Network. His work connects theoretical frameworks of political economy with empirical analysis of policy networks, providing insights into both obstruction tactics and potential pathways for more rapid, just, and extensive green transition. While not explicitly mentioned as advising students, his research collaborations suggest engagement with junior scholars through co-authored publications.