Find Academic Supervisors

• Bioenergy
• Crop Yield Modeling
• Lignin Biosynthesis
• +3 more

Megan Leigh Matthews serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Grainger College of Engineering, with additional affiliation at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. Her interdisciplinary research bridges environmental engineering, plant biology, and computational modeling to address agricultural sustainability challenges. Her research focuses on bioenergy systems , crop yield optimization , and photosynthetic engineering , leveraging genomic biology to develop sustainable agricultural solutions. Key areas include lignin biosynthesis pathways in bioenergy crops, nitrogen fixation efficiency in legume-rhizobia symbiosis, and marginal land utilization for biomass production. She employs systems-level modeling approaches to connect molecular mechanisms with field-scale agricultural outcomes. Matthews' recent publications demonstrate strong engagement with climate-resilient agriculture and net-zero emission strategies. Her work shows particular emphasis on integrating detailed photosynthetic kinetics into crop growth models and developing predictive decision support systems for water and nutrient management. The research exhibits significant interdisciplinary collaboration across plant science, environmental engineering, and climate science domains. Her scholarly impact is evidenced by substantial social media engagement (including 18 X posts and Bluesky references) and robust academic readership (over 35 Mendeley readers per major publication). Media coverage includes features in 4 news outlets and academic blogs. Matthews maintains active research leadership through collaborative projects addressing agricultural sustainability challenges, particularly in developing computational frameworks that bridge genomic insights with field applications. Her work demonstrates strong alignment with urgent climate adaptation needs in agricultural systems.

Benjamin SovacoolView profile

Professor

• Energy Policy
• Renewable Energy
• Climate Change
• +7 more

Benjamin Sovacool is a Distinguished Professor at the Department of Business Development and Technology at Aarhus University in Denmark. His research addresses critical challenges at the intersection of energy systems, climate policy, and sustainable development. Based at the Herning campus (Birk Centerpark 15, 8001, 7400 Herning), he maintains an active research profile with over 671 publications to date. His research interests span energy policy, renewable energy systems, energy security, climate change mitigation, decarbonization pathways, environmental justice, and climate intervention technologies. Sovacool's work often examines the social, political, and ethical dimensions of energy transitions, with particular attention to public perceptions, governance challenges, and equity considerations in climate solutions. His research fingerprint reveals strong connections to climate change (79%), decarbonization (75%), electric vehicles (67%), justice (67%), UK studies (63%), specific industry applications (55%), and energy conservation (51%). Recent publications demonstrate a clear trend toward examining climate intervention technologies, public perceptions of geoengineering, carbon dioxide removal methods, and the socio-technical challenges of energy infrastructure projects. His 2025 work spans environmental policy journals, energy engineering publications, and social science outlets, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach that bridges technical and social dimensions of climate solutions. Sovacool's research increasingly focuses on practical implementation challenges of climate interventions and the governance frameworks needed to address them. Sovacool serves as Principal Investigator (PI) on multiple major research projects including UPTAKE (2023-2027), ELEVATE (2022-2026), and GENIE (2021-2027), all focused on climate action, carbon removal, and net-zero emissions pathways. These projects represent significant research funding that supports his team's work on geoengineering, negative emissions technologies, and climate policy frameworks. His academic activities include participation in workshops, seminars, and conferences worldwide, serving as an editor for research journals, delivering lectures on energy poverty and climate policy, and conducting peer reviews. Notable engagements include presentations at Yale University's Climate and Energy Institute and the International Energy Policy Conference at Cambridge University. Sovacool's research has received substantial media attention, including coverage by multiple news outlets, blog mentions, and social media discussion. His work on electric vehicle adoption was particularly notable, receiving coverage from 8 news outlets, mentions by 24 X users, and references by 58 Bluesky users, demonstrating the policy relevance and public impact of his research.

Ronan BoltonView profile

Professor

• Energy Policy
• Electricity Market Design
• Energy Network Regulation
• +2 more

Ronan Bolton is Professor of Sustainable Energy at the University of Edinburgh's School of Social and Political Science. His research examines the interconnected policy, market and regulatory challenges of transforming carbon-based energy systems. He has held visiting positions at the University of Melbourne and Leibniz Institute for Regional Development and Structural Planning in Berlin. His academic credentials include: PhD in Energy Policy from the University of Leeds MSc (Distinction) in Environmental Sustainability from the University of Edinburgh BEng (First Class) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Galway Bolton's primary research focuses on electricity market design and energy network regulation, with particular expertise in the history and development of energy liberalization processes. His influential book 'Making Energy Markets: The Origins of Electricity Liberalisation in Europe' established him as a leading scholar in energy policy history. Recent work examines seasonal thermal energy storage, electricity distribution networks, and regional energy planning strategies for net zero transitions. His publications reveal a consistent focus on bridging historical policy analysis with contemporary energy transition challenges, particularly examining how past liberalization reforms can inform current net zero policy development. Bolton's work frequently addresses governance frameworks for energy transitions across European contexts. He has led significant research projects including a UKRI-funded study on electricity distribution networks and transitions. His policy contributions extend to UK Energy Research Centre reports on energy storage pathways, local energy systems, and strategic planning for electricity networks. Bolton actively engages with regulatory bodies and policymakers through his research on Ofgem's consumer value proposition and distribution network price controls. Bolton supervises PhD students in Energy Policy, Electricity Market Design, Energy Regulation, Political Economy of Energy, and Sustainability Transitions within the Science, Technology and Innovation Studies program. His collaborative research spans multiple institutions including the University of Melbourne and European partners through EU Commission projects.

Naima ChabouniView profile

Research Fellow

• Energy Economics
• Energy Systems Modeling
• Renewable Energy Integration
• +3 more

Naima Chabouni serves as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Switzerland's Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), embedded within the Energy Economics Group of the Laboratory for Energy Systems Analysis under the PSI Center for Nuclear Engineering and Sciences. Her work forms part of the SCENE project, a Center of Excellence dedicated to net-zero emissions research and cross-institutional collaboration. Her academic credentials include: Dr.-Ing. from the National School of Statistics and Applied Economics (ENSSEA) M.Sc. from the National School of Management (ENSM) Chabouni specializes in energy economics, modeling/optimization, and statistical analysis with emphasis on integrating variable renewable energy technologies into energy systems. Her research advances the Swiss TIMES model through enhanced temporal/spatial resolution and refined flexibility measures for supply/demand-side management. She particularly addresses energy transition challenges in hydrocarbon-dependent economies like Algeria, examining policy pathways for sustainable development. Her publication trends reveal consistent focus on Algeria's energy landscape through TIMES-based modeling, covering shale gas strategies, renewable integration, green hydrogen potential, and climate impacts on electricity demand. These studies employ rigorous econometric and statistical frameworks to evaluate decarbonization scenarios while balancing energy security and economic constraints. As an active contributor to the SCENE project and reviewer for organizations like the Mediterranean Energy Observatory and IRENA, Chabouni engages in shaping regional energy perspectives. While no formal student advising or specific grants are documented, her collaborative work across PSI, Mines Paris-PSL, and Algerian institutions demonstrates significant involvement in international energy research networks. She operates within PSI's Energy Economics Group, which concentrates on developing and applying energy system models to inform evidence-based policy decisions for sustainable energy transitions, particularly in European and North African contexts.

• Materials Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Aerospace Engineering
• +7 more

Professor Silvestre Taveira Pinho is a faculty member at the Faculty of Engineering , Imperial College London, within the Department of Aeronautics . His research focuses on the Mechanics of Composites, with an emphasis on developing analytical and numerical models for composite failure and bio-inspired microstructures that enhance energy dissipation during failure. His work has resulted in models integrated into commercial software like Abaqus and LS-Dyna. He is affiliated with the Composites Centre, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), European Society for Composite Materials (ESCM), and the Royal Aeronautical Society Structures & Materials Specialist Committee. Scientific Awards : EPSRC Fellowship (2022) Excellence in Teaching Award (2020) Student Choice Award for Best Teaching (2017) ESCM Albert Cardon Award (2010) Rector's Medal and Fellowship for Excellence in Teaching (2009) He has supervised numerous PhD students and Research Associates, funded by EU, EPSRC, FCT, MoD, Airbus, Renault F1 team, Rolls-Royce, and BAe Systems. His advocacy for Net-Zero aviation includes speaking at the UK Parliament and proposing pathways for sustainable aerospace innovation.

Sarah NiklasView profile

Researcher

• Community-level energy transitions
• Energy resilience
• Sectoral decarbonisation
• +7 more

Sarah Niklas is a Senior Research Consultant at the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF), University of Technology Sydney (UTS), where she has worked since May 2020, advancing to her current senior role in 2022. Her expertise centers on community-level energy transitions, energy resilience, sectoral decarbonisation, and First Nations empowerment in the clean energy space. Dr. Niklas holds a PhD in Environmental Management from UNSW Australia (2013-2019), an MSc in Global Change Ecology from the University of Bayreuth, Germany (2008-2011), and a BSc in Biology from the University of Innsbruck, Austria (2004-2007). She is fluent in both English and German, enabling her to collaborate effectively on international projects across diverse contexts. Her research explores practical approaches for communities to actively participate in and benefit from the clean energy transition. She brings specialized expertise in comparative energy policy analysis and political economy to develop inclusive and sustainable energy solutions. Notable projects include an UNEP-funded initiative developing sectoral pathways for the global economy, an Emergency Smart-Grid project for East Gippsland/Victoria using qualitative research methods, and evaluations of energy efficiency and renewable energy uptake in apartment buildings. Dr. Niklas's research outputs demonstrate a strong focus on translating climate science into actionable policy and community solutions. Her work addresses critical challenges in achieving net-zero emissions while ensuring equitable outcomes, with particular attention to First Nations communities and vulnerable populations. She examines how energy transitions can create meaningful employment opportunities and economic benefits for communities traditionally excluded from energy decision-making. European Climate Foundation grants supporting sectoral decarbonization pathways ARENA ChargeKonnect project (2025-2028) on energy system flexibility Power Shift Africa collaboration on Africa-wide energy scenarios First Nations Clean Energy Network projects on Aboriginal land Greenpeace International research on deep-sea mining implications Dr. Niklas actively engages with the public through media appearances, including interviews on microgrids as resilience solutions during climate disasters and contributions to The Conversation discussing energy solutions for regional communities. Her media work demonstrates a commitment to translating complex research into accessible insights for broader audiences while maintaining scientific rigor. She is deeply involved in developing practical frameworks for the energy transition, working at the intersection of technical analysis, policy development, and community engagement to create pathways toward a sustainable and equitable energy future that prioritizes both environmental integrity and social justice.

Rachael SingletonView profile

Lecturer

• Behavioural Science
• Policy Design
• Creative Problem Solving
• +4 more

Rachael Singleton is a Lecturer in Hospitality Performance Metrics at Ulster University Business School and a behavioural scientist. She applies behavioural science to public policy challenges, focusing on sustainability, economic development, and societal well-being. Her work spans topics such as beach littering, net zero, and business innovation, emphasizing co-design and user-centered approaches. Education: Master in English (Open University, 2016), Bachelor in Psychology (Queen's University Belfast, 1999). Her research interests include: Behavioural science in policy design Creative problem-solving methodologies Pathways to sustainable behaviour change Application of behavioural science to environmental sustainability Recent publications highlight her work on sustainable futures, innovation policy, and user-centered interventions to address environmental challenges. She contributes to conferences and reports aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly sustainability and responsible management education. Singleton collaborates on funded projects like EPIC Futures NI and the AHRC-funded Green Transition Ecosystem. She chairs Sustainable NI and has served as a behavioural science expert for organizations such as Safefood and NI Innovation Lab.

Parisa RahdanView profile

Research Fellow

• Renewable Energy
• Energy Systems
• Climate Change
• +3 more

Parisa Rahdan serves as a Research Fellow at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Climate Change (iCLIMATE) within Aarhus University's School of Engineering, focusing on renewable energy systems and climate change mitigation strategies for European energy transition. Her core research interests include: Renewable Energy Energy Systems Climate Change Sustainable Energy Energy Policy Photovoltaics Dr. Rahdan investigates solar photovoltaics integration, demand management, and consumer behavioral dynamics in achieving net-zero emissions, with emphasis on system-level flexibility and European grid transformation. Her work bridges technical energy modeling with socio-behavioral analysis to develop practical transition pathways. Publications reveal consistent focus on distributed photovoltaics deployment, energy self-sufficiency frameworks, and citizen engagement mechanisms across European contexts. Key trends include strategic solar integration for grid stability, consumer-driven demand reduction, and quantification of individual contributions to climate goals through innovative labeling systems. She leads the AURORA research project (December 2021–May 2025), a major grant-funded initiative developing the Near-Zero Emissions Citizens Label and behavioral interventions for energy awareness. This project involves cross-institutional collaboration with deliverables spanning policy frameworks, consumer studies, and technical assessments for European energy transition. As part of iCLIMATE, Dr. Rahdan contributes to interdisciplinary teams addressing climate challenges through integrated research approaches combining engineering, social sciences, and policy analysis within Aarhus University's climate change initiative.

• Systemic Sustainability
• Supply Chain Management
• Systems Thinking
• +7 more

Dr. Miles Weaver is an Associate Professor in Systemic Sustainability and Supply Chain Management at Edinburgh Napier University's Business School . Holding a PhD and First-Class Honours degree from Aston Business School , his research emphasizes systemic approaches to business-community engagement for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and place-making. He plays a pivotal role in Edinburgh’s designation as the first UK member of the global Cities CAN-B movement and co-founded the charity Everyone’s Edinburgh . Miles also serves on the Just Economic Transition Group , supporting Scotland’s net-zero transition. Education: PhD in Management, Aston Business School First-Class Honours in Business, Aston Business School His research spans systemic sustainability , supply chain resilience , and regenerative business models , with a focus on climate resilience and stakeholder engagement . Recent work explores the circular economy , nature-based solutions , and operational research applications in sustainability. His publications highlight systems thinking for SDGs, cybernetic approaches to humanitarian logistics , and regenerative practices in smallholder farming . Themes include climate adaptation , ethical supply chains , and community-driven sustainability . Scientific Awards: Winner, Advance HE Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (2020) Winner, Herald Higher Education Award for Enhancing Student Learning (2015) Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Admitted to Beta Gamma Sigma International Honour Society Winner, Vice-Chancellor Distinguished Teaching Award, De Montfort University He supervises PhD students in areas like smallholder farming , humanitarian logistics , and regenerative supply chains , while leading projects such as the Charity Board Initiative and the Get on Board Competency Pathway . His Climate Responsive Procurement pilot study (2022-2023) aligns CSR activities with local needs.

Huiwen GongView profile

Associate Professor

• Economic Geography
• Sustainability Transitions
• Geography of Innovation
• +7 more

Huiwen Gong is Associate Professor of Regional Studies and Innovation at the Business School of the University of Stavanger, Norway. She is affiliated with the Department of Innovation, Leadership and Marketing, where she conducts research and teaches in economic geography, innovation studies, and sustainability transitions. Her research focuses on the geographies of sustainability transitions, Sino-German industrial dynamics, regional foresight, and the geography of innovation, with a particular emphasis on battery value chains in China and Europe. She has conducted extensive field research in the video game, blockchain, and battery industries across China, Germany, and Switzerland. Her current work investigates how corporate and state actors are building battery value chains under geopolitical tensions, with attention to local socio-economic and environmental impacts. The most recent publications highlight trends in technological innovation systems, regional development pathways, sustainability transitions, and energy communities. Her work spans disciplines including economic geography, innovation policy, and environmental studies, with a strong comparative and forward-looking orientation. Scientific Awards: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship (top 5% of proposals in Social Sciences and Humanities, 2020–2022) She is currently leading a Norwegian Research Council-funded project on Nordic battery value chains (12 million NOK). Her teaching includes courses on the geography of sustainability transitions, innovation studies, economic geography, and the geography of innovation. She has advised interdisciplinary research teams and collaborates widely across Europe and China. Huiwen Gong is actively involved in research on energy communities and regional innovation systems, contributing to theoretical and policy debates on green industrial transformation and sustainable development.

Sujit Kumar SikderView profile

Researcher

• Urban Science
• Spatial Transformation
• Spatial Analysis
• +7 more

Sujit Kumar Sikder is a Senior Scientist at the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER) in Dresden, Germany, where he works in the Research Area - Spatial Information and Modeling (FBM) and Research Data Centre (IOER-RDC). He has held research positions at the University of Bonn, Germany, and the United Nations University, Bonn, Germany. His academic background includes a PhD in Engineering from the University of Bonn and a Master of Science from the Technical University of Munich. Dr. Sikder's educational background includes a PhD in Engineering from the University of Bonn (2012-2017), a Master of Science in Land Management and Geospatial Science from the Technical University of Munich (2009-2011), and a Bachelor of Urban and Rural Planning from Khulna University, Bangladesh (2001-2005). His research focuses on exploring actionable insights to advance pathways toward a net-zero future through an integrated perspective on land use, energy, and mobility systems. His work spans Urban Science, Spatial Transformation, Spatial Analysis, Hybrid Modelling, Geocomputation, Open Data, and Data Management. Dr. Sikder employs interdisciplinary approaches to understand urban systems, with particular attention to both the Global North and Global South contexts. He has developed frameworks for adopting global open data in local urban development and has conducted extensive research on urban spatial transformation during the pandemic era. Dr. Sikder serves as Area Co-Editor for the Journal of Data & Policy and as Guest Associate Editor for Frontiers in Sustainable Cities. He is also a reviewer for numerous international journals including Nature, PLOS ONE, and Frontiers in Sustainable Cities, and reviews research grant proposals for the Economic and Social Research Council and UK Research and Innovation. His scientific achievements include a Doctoral Fellowship from KAAD, a Post-graduate Fellowship from DAAD, a Jury Award for Innovative Ideas on retrofitting privately owned buildings in Frankfurt, and an International Conference Travel Grant. He is a member of several professional organizations including the German Association for Geodesy, Geoinformation and Land Management (DVW), the German Research Data Alliance (RDA), and the Bangladesh Association of Planners (BIP). Dr. Sikder coordinates multiple research projects including SoRa (DFG-funded) and OpenGeoEdu (BMVI funded). His work bridges academic research with practical urban planning applications, emphasizing data-driven decision making for sustainable urban development. He has developed methodologies for linking survey and spatial data to enable interdisciplinary research and has contributed to understanding urban spatial transformation dynamics in both pandemic and post-pandemic contexts.

• Building Stock Modeling
• Energy Analysis
• 3D Geometric Modeling
• +5 more

Steve Evans is a Senior Research Fellow at the Bartlett School of Environment, Energy & Resources at University College London (UCL). He leads the 3DStock model development within the Building Stock Lab at UCL Energy Institute and is currently heading up the construction of the National Buildings Database. His work bridges multiple disciplines through the application of GIS and geospatial analysis to energy and building stock modeling problems, with extensive experience collaborating with government departments including DESNZ and BEIS. Evans' research focuses on developing detailed 3D models of building stocks to analyze energy use and inform decarbonization strategies. His work centers around the 3DStock model, which represents every building and its energy performance at a fine level of granularity. This research has significant implications for urban planning, energy policy, and climate change mitigation efforts, particularly through his work on the National Buildings Database which is designed to trigger a 'paradigm shift' in how building data informs policy decisions. His publication record demonstrates a consistent progression from foundational 3D modeling techniques to practical policy applications, with particular emphasis on the relationship between urban form, building characteristics, and energy consumption. The research shows increasing sophistication in modeling approaches while maintaining direct relevance to real-world decarbonization challenges faced by cities and national governments. Principal Investigator for the National Buildings Database project (£2.7M) from the UK Department for Energy Security and NetZero Team Lead for the Non-domestic Building Survey (NDBS, £0.8M) Contributor to the RCUK Centre for Energy Epidemiology (CEE) (EPSRC, £5.75m) Member of the Centre for Research on Energy Demand Solutions (CREDS) (EPSRC, £19.44m) Consultant on multiple government projects including Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and Renewable Heat Incentive evaluation Evans manages the Building Stock Lab team at UCL, which develops and maintains the 3DStock model. This lab serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research connecting energy analysis, urban planning, and geospatial technologies. The lab's work directly informs government policy through contracts with departments including DESNZ and BEIS, as well as collaborations with local authorities like the London Borough of Islington on social housing decarbonization projects.

• Building Stock Energy Modelling
• Retrofit at Scale
• Electrification of Heat
• +6 more

Dominic Humphrey serves as a Research Fellow at University College London's Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources (BSEER), based at the UCL Energy Institute within the Building Stock Lab. His work focuses on building stock energy models, scaling retrofit initiatives, and advancing net zero transitions through electrification of heat in buildings alongside onsite renewables and storage technologies. He has provided research and consultancy support to national and local governments for policy development and retrofit programs. His research interests center on retrofit at scale, building stock modelling, heat electrification, and building digital twins. He investigates how urban building stocks can transition to net zero through integrated energy systems, with particular emphasis on practical applications for social housing and public infrastructure. His methodology combines GIS-based spatial analysis with detailed energy modeling to identify scalable retrofit pathways. Recent publications demonstrate consistent application of building stock models to urgent policy challenges, including net zero strategies for social housing, pandemic-era energy use analysis, and photovoltaic integration in schools. His work consistently addresses urban-scale energy transitions with focus on London's building stock characteristics. Dominic actively engages in consultancy, technology validation, and advisory activities. His secondee position at the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (October 2022-August 2023) directly informed national policy development. He also contributes to academic instruction through UCL's UBEM module, teaching GIS applications in building stock modeling. As a core member of the Building Stock Lab within UCL Energy Institute's Buildings Theme, he collaborates on advancing urban-scale energy modeling techniques. His current projects focus on digital twin development for building stocks and validating electrification pathways for existing building portfolios.

• Epidemiology
• Health Systems Sustainability
• Climate Change and Health
• +4 more

Luise Kazda is a Research Fellow at the Sydney School of Public Health within the Faculty of Medicine and Health at The University of Sydney. She holds a BA(Hons), MPH, and PhD (awarded 2023) and maintains active roles in multiple research collaborations including Wiser Healthcare (an NHMRC-funded research group focused on reducing overdiagnosis) and the NHMRC Healthy Environments and Lives (HEAL) National Research Network. Her educational background includes: BA(Hons) MPH PhD from the University of Sydney (2023) on ADHD trends in children/adolescents Kazda's research centers on health systems sustainability , specifically decarbonizing healthcare through "green care" (low-carbon alternatives) and "lean care" (reducing low-value care). As HEAL's Research, Policy & Practice Fellow for the Health Systems Resilience Theme, she addresses clinical carbon hotspots while improving care quality. Her work integrates epidemiology, climate science, and health policy to develop sustainable healthcare models. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals dominant themes in overdiagnosis research (particularly ADHD in pediatric populations) and healthcare decarbonization . Key trends include methodological innovations for quantifying overdiagnosis, longitudinal ADHD outcome studies, and pioneering carbon emission analyses of pharmaceutical products like respiratory inhalers. Her scientific recognition includes: 2024 Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence (NSW Health Net Zero Partnership) 2023 Wiser Healthcare ECR Publication Award for best quantitative paper Kazda actively contributes to academic leadership as a founding member of HEAL's Early- and Mid-Career Researchers Steering Committee and serves on Asthma Australia's National Sustainable Roadmap Steering Committee. She tutors PUBH5010 Epidemiology Methods and previously contributed to sustainability-focused courses. Her grant portfolio includes NHMRC funding through Wiser Healthcare and HEAL collaborations, focusing on climate-resilient health systems and overdiagnosis reduction. She operates within the Sustainability, Climate and Health Collaboration at the University of Sydney and co-leads capacity-building initiatives through Wiser Carbon Neutral. Her current work emphasizes translating research into policy through partnerships with NSW Health and Asthma Australia.

John RupleView profile

Research Professor

• Energy Law
• Environmental Law
• Natural Resources Law
• +7 more

John Ruple is a Research Professor of Law at the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law and a Stegner Center Fellow at the Wallace Stegner Center for Land Resources and the Environment, where he directs the Law and Policy Program. He previously served as Senior Counsel in the White House Council on Environmental Quality during the Biden Administration and has held positions at the University of Utah since 2008, progressing from Research Associate Professor (2015-2018) to Research Professor (2018-present). Professor Ruple's educational background includes a JD from the University of Utah (2004), an MS in Resource Development from Michigan State University (1997), and a BA in Demography/Sociology from Western Washington University (1992). Prior to academia, he worked as a policy analyst in Governor Jon Huntsman Jr's Public Lands Office, as an environmental attorney in private practice, and as a NEPA contractor specializing in National Forest System permitting. His research focuses on pragmatic solutions to complex federal public lands management challenges, with particular emphasis on improving environmental analysis and permitting processes. Professor Ruple champions evidence-based reform, having conducted empirical analyses of over 41,000 NEPA decisions to identify factors contributing to delays. His work also addresses the legality of state efforts to control federal lands, presidential authority regarding national monuments, and climate change mitigation strategies for public lands management. He has established himself as a leading expert on the intersection of energy development, water resources, and land management, particularly in Utah's Uinta Basin. Professor Ruple's scholarly trajectory reveals a consistent deepening of engagement with contemporary environmental law challenges. His early work established foundational understanding of public lands law and transfer movements, while his recent publications increasingly focus on climate change mitigation, net-zero emissions strategies for fossil fuel development, critical mineral policy, and the integration of climate science into permitting processes. His research demonstrates methodological rigor through empirical analysis of large datasets, challenging conventional wisdom about environmental review processes. Celebrate U Researcher (2018) Top 20 article (Environmental Law Institute and Vanderbilt University Law School, 2021) Top article (Environmental Law Reporter, 2021) Top article (Land Use & Environment Law Review, 2020) Though holding a research appointment without a regular teaching load, Professor Ruple has taught in the University's Masters of Legal Studies Program and the Law As Influence Law As Change (LAILAC) Program. His professional service includes serving as a Trustee of the Foundation for Natural Resources & Energy Law (2022-2023) and on the Board of Directors for Friends of Cedar Mesa (2017-2022). He has also contributed to numerous government reports and environmental impact statements, bridging academic research with practical policy development. As director of the Stegner Center's Law and Policy Program, Professor Ruple oversees a vital hub for environmental law scholarship and policy engagement. The Center facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration among scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to address pressing natural resources challenges. His leadership connects academic insights with real-world applications, particularly evident in his White House service where his expertise directly informed national environmental policy development.