Sophie Adams

Dr. Sophie Adams serves as an ARC DECRA Fellow in the Department of Sociology at La Trobe University, where she conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of human geography and Science and Technology Studies. Her work critically examines the social dimensions of climate change mitigation and adaptation, with particular emphasis on renewable energy transitions and the societal implications of technological solutions to environmental crises.

Adams' research program centers on the politics of environmental knowledge, investigating how climate science informs policy formation and the negotiation of social objectives in decarbonisation processes. She employs qualitative and participatory methodologies to analyze climate change adaptation in energy systems, social license for technological interventions, and the redistribution of expertise in public health and environmental governance. Her scholarship consistently addresses power dynamics in knowledge production and the democratic challenges of sustainability transitions.

Analysis of her publication trajectory (2019-2025) reveals increasing focus on energy-social interfaces, with significant contributions to understanding virtual power plants, demand-side management, and the role of modeling in climate policy. Her work demonstrates methodological innovation through participatory approaches while maintaining critical engagement with resilience thinking and adaptation frameworks.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (ARC DECRA)

Supported by her DECRA fellowship, Adams leads independent research projects examining the societal dimensions of energy transitions. Her collaborative work spans geography, public health, and energy engineering, as evidenced by interdisciplinary co-authorship patterns. Current projects investigate Australian householders' conditions for participating in virtual power plants and the social implications of climate modeling in adaptation planning, reflecting her commitment to socially relevant environmental research.