Simon Mair

Simon Mair is a Lecturer in Sustainability at the University of York’s Department of Environment & Geography. His research focuses on post-growth economics, degrowth, and alternative economic systems, aiming to transition to sustainable and inclusive societies within planetary boundaries. He leads the MSc in Corporate Sustainability and Environmental Management and teaches modules on Corporate Sustainability and Business and Environment.

Simon is a co-investigator on high-profile projects, including the ESRC-funded Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity (CUSP) and the EU Horizon-funded WISE Horizons, exploring pathways to post-growth economies. He also leads a work package in the NERC-funded MSPACE project, analyzing marine resources and regional supply chains using input-output models.

His research outputs critically examine capitalism’s role in climate crises, sustainable development goals, and degrowth pedagogy. Recent articles address marine spatial planning, energy-capital dynamics, and policy frameworks for wellbeing over growth. Simon actively contributes to public discourse via outlets like BBC Future and collaborates with the Management Educators Navigating Degrowth (MEND) collective to integrate degrowth ideas into management education.

Simon’s work bridges academic research and real-world policy, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability challenges. His grants include funding from CUSP, MSPACE, and the Principles for Responsible Management Education initiative, supporting transformative research and education.