Matthew Hannon

Matthew Hannon is a Professor of Sustainable Energy Business and Policy at the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, Strathclyde Business School, University of Strathclyde. His research focuses on the business models, policies, and technologies critical to achieving a socially equitable, net-zero economy. He leads and co-leads major research initiatives including the UKRI-funded EnergyREV consortium, the UK Energy Research Centre’s Community Energy Finance and 'Whole Person - Whole Place' retrofit projects, and the Scottish Universities Insight Institute’s Carbon Offsetting for Communities project.

His educational background includes a PhD in Co-evolution of Innovative Business Models and Sustainability Transitions from the University of Leeds and a Postgraduate Certificate in University Learning and Teaching from Imperial College London. He has held visiting positions at Imperial College London and is actively engaged in knowledge exchange and policy outreach.

Hannon's research interests span sustainable energy, energy policy, business model innovation, community energy, energy justice, and smart local energy systems. His work emphasizes the socio-technical dimensions of energy transitions, particularly how community engagement, financial mechanisms, and policy design can enable equitable decarbonization. He has published in top-tier journals such as Nature Energy, Energy Research and Social Science, and Technological Forecasting and Social Change, and has co-authored books on energy innovation.

The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong focus on community energy finance, smart local energy systems, energy retrofitting, and policy innovation. Key themes include the role of business models in sustainability transitions, the financing of grassroots innovation, and the social and relational aspects of energy efficiency. His work increasingly integrates justice and equity into the design of energy systems and policies.

• Place on the Royal Society of Edinburgh's Scottish Crucible (2018)
• World Energy Congress Recognition (2016)

Hannon has supervised multiple PhD students and is actively involved in advising on research projects. His work has attracted significant funding from UKRI, ESRC, EPSRC, and other bodies. He provides expert testimony to parliamentary committees and contributes to government consultations. He is a council member of the British Institute of Energy Economics, chair and trustee of the community energy charity South Seeds, and a member of advisory panels for BSI/Defra and USwitch. He is also the co-founder and host of the Local Zero podcast, which highlights local climate action and has been recognized as the Times Pod of the Week.

Hannon leads or co-leads several active research projects, including 'Systems Approaches for Accelerating a Just Transition (JUST-Systems)' and 'The Role of Smart Energy Homes in Accelerating a Just Transition to Net-Zero'. His team includes co-investigators from across Strathclyde and partner organizations, reflecting a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to tackling complex energy challenges.