Carla de Laurentis

Dr. Carla de Laurentis is a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Management at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), affiliated with the Faculty of Environment and Technology and the Department of Geography and Environmental Management. With expertise spanning environmental policy, renewable energy systems, and circular economy principles, she contributes significantly to both research and teaching in sustainability fields.

Carla's research focuses on the geography of innovation and policy mechanisms that promote sustainable development. She investigates regional patterns in renewable energy adoption and circular economy implementation, with particular emphasis on end-of-life management of wind infrastructure. Her work bridges economic development theory with practical sustainability challenges facing both public sector organizations and businesses.

Her publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to energy transition research, with particular focus on wind energy infrastructure lifecycle management, circular economy applications in regional contexts, and policy frameworks for sustainable development. Recent work explores the social dimensions of energy transitions alongside technical and governance aspects.

Scientific Awards and Recognition:

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Vice Chancellor's Early Career Researcher (VC ECR) Development Award recipient

As an academic supervisor, Carla serves as Director of Study for PhD candidate Swati Sood, whose research focuses on enhancing end-of-life management for onshore wind turbines using circular economy concepts. She actively welcomes new PhD students whose research aligns with her expertise in sustainability, energy transitions, and circular economy.

Carla has secured significant research funding through multiple projects including:

• RESCUE project (co-investigator) - Regulations to Ensure Sustainable Circular Use at End-of-life
• Wind Energy End of Life Observatory (WEELO) - co-founder
• Knowledge Transfer Partnership with DistGen (academic lead)
• Vice Chancellor's Early Career Researcher Award for wind infrastructure waste management research

She is also a co-investigator in the project 'Is there an afterlife for wind installations in Italy?' funded by the RGS-IBG, demonstrating her international research collaborations.

Carla contributes extensively to teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, serving as module leader for Renewable Energy and Carbon Futures, Environmental Management in Organisations, and Sustainable Technologies. Her teaching approach integrates her research expertise with practical applications in environmental management.