Andy Stirling

Andy Stirling is a Professor of Science & Technology Policy at the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) within the University of Sussex Business School. He co-directed the ESRC STEPS Centre (2006–2021), focusing on pathways to sustainability. His work examines power dynamics, uncertainty, and diversity in science/technology governance, particularly in energy and biotechnology sectors. He advises international bodies like the IPBES and has served on UK/EU committees.

Education: PhD in Science Policy (1994, SPRU), MA in Archaeology/Social Anthropology (University of Edinburgh), prior studies in astrophysics. Early career included field archaeology, ecology activism, and Greenpeace leadership (1985–2016).

Research Interests: Colonial modernity in sustainability transitions, precautionary principles, nuclear energy governance, democratic innovation, and the ethics of quantification. Key projects include the UKRI/UNDP STRINGS initiative, Belmont Forum GOST project, and analysis of civil-military nuclear links.

Grants & Roles: Over 40 grants from ESRC, EU, UNDP, and others. Advisory roles include OECD, UNESCO, and multiple national/international bodies. Played pivotal roles in projects like DEFRA/ESRC SLRG and Sussex Nexus Network.

Labs/Teams: Co-leads SPRU’s transformative governance research, core member of STEPS Centre, collaborates with international networks on sustainability science and policy.