Key People

Professor Rob Lawson

Rob is the current Chair of the OERC and is actively involved in all aspects of the group.

Rob is a member of the Marketing Department, specialising in consumer behaviour, the sociology of consumption, and bio-behaviour. His research includes lifestyle/profiles of consumers and groups of consumers, and he has a particular interest in frugality, non-consumption, and ethical consumption. He is also interested in the adoption and diffusion of ideas and innovations.

Email: rob.lawson@otago.ac.nz

Daniel Gnoth

Daniel begun working for the OERC in 2008 as a research assistant and has now taken over the role of Administrator. He is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Centre, promoting researcher collaboration and links with the community, and co-ordinating Centre events. He is doing his PhD at the Centre for the Study of Agriculture, Food and Environment, on behaviour change and energy use.

Tel: +64 3 479 3928

Email: oercadmin@otago.ac.nz

Dr Janet Stephenson

Janet brings a social science perspective to energy issues.  She is interested in the short- and long-term implications of energy use and energy constraints, particularly as they relate to planning for land use, transport systems, environmental sustainability and human wellbeing. Her current research includes examining public attitudes to wind farms and the landscapes that they occupy; analyzing the views and motivations of non-submitters to wind farm; documenting the experience of innovators in the energy sector; and exploring energy-related behaviour in households and industry to see to whether distinct ‘cultures’ of energy use can be identified, and whether these cultures play a role in behavior change.

Email: janet.stephenson@otago.ac.nz

Dr Paul Thorsnes

A member of the Economics Department, Paul's research focus is on environmental economics and policy. Areas of current interest are the effect on house sale prices of home owner investments in energy efficiency, and home owner valuation of the various attributes of energy-related home improvements.

Email: paul.thorsnes@otago.ac.nz

Dr Mick Abbott

Mick is a Senior Lecturer in the Design Department, whose research examines how design can influence how people engage with their environment. He is particularly interested in applying this to walkability and cycling issues relating to urban design, improved livability, reduced energy demands and improved quality of life. Also, in funded research, he is currently developing a 'Be a Bright Spark Kit'. This product seeks to provide a fun creative way for 8-12 year old children to build awareness in types of energy sources, usage and conservation.

Email: mick.abbot@otago.ac.nz

Assoc Prof Bob Lloyd

Director of the Energy Studies Programme in the Physics Department, Bob's work has long focussed on renewable energy, environmental impact of technologies, and and the relationships between energy and health. He is also interested in policy on energy supply and demand, primarily in relation to the oil sector. He has worked in wind and solar energy, and on energy in developing countries.

Email: bob.lloyd@otago.ac.nz

Professor Hank Weiss

Hank has recently joined Otago to head the Injury Prevention Research Unit in the Department of Preventative and Social Medicine. His research focuses on the health impacts of different forms of active and passive transportation.

Email: hank.weiss@otago.ac.nz

Dr Inga Smith

A research fellow in the Physics Department, Inga's energy research interests include energy use in the transport sector, energy use in housing, renewable energy integration and climate-related energy issues

Email: inga.smith@otago.ac.nz

Assoc Prof Julian Eaton-Rye

Julian is working on the enzyme Photosystem II which is found in plants, algae and cyanobacteria. The enzyme utilises light energy to split water as the first step in photosynthesis. The ultimate goal is to couple water splitting to the production of hydrogen in biological or biologically-inspired systems.

Email: julian.eaton-rye@otago.ac.nz

Dr Maryam Purvis

Dr Maryam Purvis has a background of working as a software engineer in the computer industry in the United States. Her experience includes all phases of software development such as requirement analysis, design, implementation, and testing. Her current teaching and research interests are in the areas of dynamic modelling of distributed processes, distributed and dynamic workflow systems, coordination of multi-agent systems as well as the structure of social network interactions.

Email: marayam.purvis@otago.ac.nz

Assoc Prof Sarah Wakes

Sarah is the current Head of Department for Design Studies. She is also the Director for the Applied Science major, Design for Technology.

Sarah’s current research interests are based around using Computational Fluid Dynamic software to predict flows within realistic situations and the interaction of technology and design. She currently has research projects associated with the heat and air flow within a typical NZ house; wind flow predictions over coplex dune topographies and the design of snow fences. She teaches design analysis (FEA & CFD) within the department.

Email:sarah.wakes@otago.ac.nz

Dr Ross Vennell

Ross specialises in coastal physical oceanography and ADCP measurement of tidal currents and dynamics. Ross' interests have included Oceanographic modelling data analysis,spatial interpolation, tidal turbine farms, tidal flow in straits, headland eddies and secondary flows.

Email: ross.vennell@otago.ac.nz

Dr Louis Leland

A member of the Psychology Department, Louis' research focuses on community behaviour change, using different techniques to prompt or encourage more energy efficient and responsible behaviour.

Email: louis.leland@otago.ac.nz