Patrick O'Hare

Dr. Patrick O'Hare is a Lecturer in Social Anthropology at the University of St Andrews, affiliated with the School of Philosophy, Anthropology and Film Studies. He holds a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship and has conducted research across Latin America and the UK focusing on recycling economies, waste management, and plastics policy. His current project examines binational recycling practices in Uruguay and Argentina through the lens of social and circular economies.

Dr. O'Hare earned his PhD in Social Anthropology from the University of Cambridge in 2017. He has held research positions at the Universities of Surrey, Manchester, and Cambridge, including an ESRC fellowship. His work bridges academic research with policy engagement, contributing to initiatives like the Cartonera Publishing Research Project and the Cambridge Creative Circular Plastics Centre.

His research interests center on labor practices in recycling sectors, colonial legacies in waste systems, and the intersection of global policy frameworks with local realities. Recent work emphasizes waste pickers' roles in UN plastics treaty negotiations and the socio-environmental implications of circular economy models.

Key contributions include co-editing Circular Economies in an Unequal World (2024) and publishing on topics ranging from Uruguayan plastics infrastructure to trans-formal research methodologies. His policy briefs inform global plastics governance debates, advocating for just transitions and marginalized labor inclusion.

Awards and fellowships include the UKRI FLF and ESRC support. He advises PhD student Cristian Erazo Romero and has secured grants from UKRI, AHRC, and ESRC. His collaborative projects highlight interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability challenges in Latin America and beyond.