معرفی
Michelle Shipworth is an Associate Professor at the Bartlett School of Environment, Energy & Resources at University College London (UCL). Her research focuses on the human dimension of home energy use, examining behaviors, social influences, and their interaction with technologies and buildings. She is an invited UK country expert on the International Energy Agency's Demand Side Management Task XXIV (Behaviour Change) and provides expert advice to various UK government departments including the Department for Energy and Climate Change and Communities and Local Government.
Her educational background includes:
- Senior Fellow recognition by the Higher Education Academy (HEA), University College London (2018)
- Master of Science from University of Reading (2004)
- Master of Environmental Science from Monash University (1999)
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Monash University (1994)
Professor Shipworth's research interests center on energy behavior and the social dimensions of energy consumption. Her work examines how thermal routines shape heating patterns, how social norms influence cooling behaviors across different cultural contexts, and how building technologies interact with human behavior. She has conducted extensive research on thermostat settings, central heating systems, and the role of social networks in technology adoption. Her influential report 'Motivating Home Energy Action: a handbook of what works' strongly influenced Australia's 'Cool Communities' greenhouse reduction programme and has been cited by multiple international organizations including the IEA, UNEP, and IPCC working groups.
Her scientific contributions have been recognized through:
- Recognition as a Senior Fellow by the Higher Education Academy (2018)
- Membership on the Advisory Committee of the Global Cool Foundation
- Invitation as a UK country expert to the International Energy Agency's Demand Side Management Task XXIV
Professor Shipworth has supervised several PhD students including Faye Wade (studying the role of plumbers in central heating systems), Charlie Morris-Marsham (visualizing home energy use through thermal images), and Shu Yang (couples' attitudes to home energy use). Her research has been supported by various grants from UK government departments including DECC and collaborations with organizations like the Central Office of Information and English Heritage. Her 'Energy, People & Behaviour' module at UCL reflects her expertise in understanding the human aspects of energy systems.
Her work has contributed to major energy behavior initiatives including the OFGEM/DECC Energy Demand Reduction Pilot ('smart metering') trials of energy feedback devices. She conceived and directed the first English survey of home energy use, developing survey instruments in collaboration with technical colleagues on the Carbon Reduction in Buildings research consortium. This dataset continues to be analyzed by Professor Shipworth and her students to understand patterns of home energy consumption.
