Rebecca Wright

Rebecca Wright is an Assistant Professor in History at Northumbria University, serving as Principal Investigator for the Wellcome Trust-funded 'Carbon Bodies' project examining heat, health, and fuel poverty in Britain since 1918. She holds a PhD in Humanities from Birkbeck University of London (2015), an MA from the Courtauld Institute of Art (2010), and a BA (Hons) from Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (2009). Her research explores cultural and policy dimensions of energy history, combining environmental, medical, and digital humanities methodologies.

Research interests focus on energy's role in twentieth-century America and Britain, including the history of emotions, medical humanities, and decarbonization challenges. She co-authored Power, Energy and International Cooperation (2019) and is completing Moral Energy in America (2025). Teaching includes environmental history modules and experiential learning in policy-making contexts.

Recent work analyzes residential heating policies, international energy governance, and the intersections of health with carbon-intensive practices. Awards include a 2024 Wellcome Trust Collaborative Award for her current project. Her scholarship contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to climate action and sustainable cities.