Bec Colvin

Associate Professor Bec Colvin is a social scientist and academic at the Australian National University's Crawford School of Public Policy, where she leads the Resources, Environment & Development Group. Her research focuses on the social and political dimensions of climate policy and energy transition, particularly through the lens of social identity theory. She explores conflicts around renewable energy, coal, and climate policy in diverse settings, including community-level dynamics and national policy frameworks.

Colvin holds two major grants: an Australian Research Council Discovery Project (2022-2025) analyzing the role of unconventional advocates (e.g., farmers, conservatives) in shaping climate policy opinions, and an Early Career Researcher Award (2023-2026) to develop community-led dialogue strategies in coal-producing regions. She teaches climate policy communication, research methods, and leads the Master of Climate Change program as Co-Convener.

Her research interests span social-political conflict in environmental issues, identity-based policy engagement, energy transition challenges, and effective climate communication strategies. She serves on the editorial board of Environmental Research Letters and frequently contributes to media discussions on climate and energy topics.

Colvin’s work emphasizes bridging gaps between science, policy, and communities, with a focus on equitable transitions in contested regions. Her grants and publications reflect a commitment to understanding and addressing the societal dimensions of climate action.