معرفی
Marie Claire Brisbois serves as Associate Professor in Energy Policy at the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) within the University of Sussex Business School, where she co-directs the Sussex Energy Group. Her research examines power dynamics in energy, water, and climate governance, with emphasis on social transformation and public participation in low-carbon transitions. Current leadership roles include Co-Investigator for the UK Energy Demand Research Centre (2023-2028) and Sussex lead for the H2020 CINTRAN project on coal phase-outs.
Her educational background includes:
- PhD in Environment, Resources and Sustainability from University of Waterloo (2010-2015)
- Master of Applied Science in Biological Engineering from Dalhousie University (2005-2007)
Dr. Brisbois investigates how political power structures evolve during resource system transformations, focusing on collaborative governance and social mobilization across local to global scales. Her work integrates relational sociology to analyze energy retrofit, demand flexibility, and just transition frameworks, consistently highlighting intersectional justice implications and the role of elite power in decarbonization pathways. Recent projects examine local Green New Deals, military-security dimensions of energy transitions, and participatory governance in smart energy systems.
Analysis of her 2024-2025 publications reveals three dominant trends: (1) Relational approaches to energy policy emphasizing social dynamics in retrofit implementation, (2) Critical examinations of power concentration in carbon-intensive region transitions, and (3) Trust-building mechanisms for automated demand flexibility systems. Her scholarship consistently bridges theoretical political ecology with practical policy design, with growing emphasis on Global South contexts and co-benefit frameworks linking energy demand reduction to wellbeing outcomes.
Scientific recognition includes:
- Mitacs Canadian Science Policy Fellowship examining scientific knowledge optimization in environmental assessments
Dr. Brisbois currently leads or co-leads seven major research initiatives including the £5.2M UK Energy Demand Research Centre and the H2020 CINTRAN project. Her teaching portfolio includes convening the Perspectives, Methods and Skills module for the online MSc in Energy Policy and co-convening the same module for on-campus MSc programs in Energy Policy, Science and Technology Policy, and Sustainable Development. She also supervises doctoral research on energy governance and transition politics.
As Co-Director of the Sussex Energy Group, she shapes one of the UK's premier research hubs on energy policy, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across political science, sociology, and engineering disciplines. The group maintains active partnerships with government bodies including the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, European Commission, and international NGOs focused on just transition frameworks.
