Researchers

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Department	Otago Researcher (Current Research)
Accountancy	Prof Ralph Adler Ralph's research interests include strategic management accounting, organisational effectiveness, business efficiency and sustainability, and business education. He also helps lead a business case study writing group within the School of Business.
Anthropology	Dr Martha Bell Martha works in the area of sociology of the body, the social relations privileging certain bodies and physical identities, and constructions of physicality and health. She is interested in the family as a ‘good’ economic citizen and family decision-making around household resource use and energy efficiency. In 2009 she is undertaking field work for a comparative study of energy culture in a collaborative Otago Energy Research Centre project.
Biochemistry	Dr 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 potential is to couple water splitting to the production of hydrogen in biological or biologically-inspired systems.
Dr Martin Hohmann-Marriott Martin's research interest is the exploration of biological energy conversion systems. Understanding the molecular mechanisms and regulatory networks is essential to efficiently utilize biological systems for energy generation. Photosynthesis is the primary mode of energy conversion that Martin studies in a range of bacteria and algae.
CSAFE (Centre for the study of Agriculture, Food, and Environment)	Assoc Prof Hugh Campbell As a sociologist, Hugh's research interests include sustainable agriculture, environmental trade barriers, consumer perceptions of food, food scares, and strategic options for primary production in New Zealand. Since 1994 he has been involved in the Greening Food programme, which is examining the development of sustainable agriculture practices among food export industries in New Zealand.
Assoc Prof Henrik Moller Henrik's background is in zoology. His research engages with the social and environmental dynamics of sustainable resource use, particularly in indigenous contexts.
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.
Dr Solis Norton Solis has a background in agricultural science and veterinary epidemiology. He also has a growing interest and involvement in energy related research, particularly with respect to Peak Oil. He is currently working with the ARGOS project, comparing organic, integrated, and conventional agricultural production systems.
Chemistry	Assoc Prof Keith Gordon Photovoltaic materials turn light into electricity, and are used in solar energy cells. Currently, most solar cells are based on silicon, but Keith's research into photovoltaic materials takes a new approach, which could lead to a new generation of cheaper cells. Keith is also researching electroluminescent materials, which emit light when an electric charge is run through. He believes there is potential here for much greater efficiencies than currently commercially available.
Prof Keith Hunter Keith's research relates to the carbon cycle, particularly in the ocean. This has relevance to climate - the ocean is the bottleneck in the carbon cycle in relation to fossil fuels, as it absorbs CO2 very slowly. Other interests are how the carbon cycle changes in relation to glaciation and deglaciation periods, and sequestration of CO2 particularly in the ocean.
Dr Barrie Peake Barrie is interested in chemical aspects of the environmental impact of existing and potential energy sources in NZ, such as coal, hydro, wind power etc.
Design	Mick Abbott Mick considers design-led research has an important role in developing multiple future-looking scenarios, prior to pivotal research and community choices being made. 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.
Prof Thomas Bley Thomas's design interests include home heating – in particular in exploring the potential of developing the European kachelofen for the NZ market. The wood-fired oven has a high level of efficiency and uses thermal mass to store and emit heat.
Dr Sarah Wakes Sarah’s research focus is on the use of engineering analysis tools, in particularly Computational Fluid Dynamics, within a design context. Energy related research includes; the analysis of a pyrolytic oven with Fisher & Paykel in terms of flow and thermal performance, and the flow of wind over complex topographies.
Economics	Assoc Prof Paul Hansen Paul's main research interest is in Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis and Conjoint Analysis, and he is co-inventor of 1000Minds, an award-winning software for priority setting and decision making. He is interested in its application with respect to energy use and conservation, from both the demand and supply sides of the energy industry.
Dr Paul Thorsnes Paul's research focus includes empirical studies of the housing market. One area of current interest is the effect on house sale prices of exposure to the sun and of home owner investments in energy efficiency. Another area of interest is in home owner valuation of the various attributes of energy-related home improvements.
Food Science	Dr Miranda Mirosa Dr Miranda Mirosa lectures in the Food Science Department at the University of Otago. Miranda is a consumer behavior researcher and her research interests include sustainable consumption (especially in the context of food and energy), consumer movements, activism and consumer policy issues. She finished her PhD at the end of 2009 which was entitled: Dynamic ideologies: Insights from the Slow Food Movement. Until recently Miranda has been coordinating the ‘Energy Cultures’ research project. Miranda is currently working on a number of research projects related to food waste.
Geography	Assoc Prof Claire Freeman Claire's research focus is in the general field of environmental planning. This includes biodiversity and conservation planning, open space planning; planning with children, and sustainable settlements.
Prof Richard Morgan Richard's work relates mainly to Environmental Impact Assessment, which lies in the wider context of environmental sustainability. EIA research potentially relates to energy projects, energy related policies and the environmental consequences of both. Richard was the main organiser for the recent NZ Association for Impact Assessment national conference on the theme of Assessing the impacts of Energy Development.
Dr Michelle Thompson-Fawcett Michelle has a research interest in the exploration of contemporary approaches to planning and environmental management. In particular, this includes analysing innovations aimed at the sustainable management of urban form and the links between urban layout, urban activities, transportation and energy requirements.
Geology	Assoc Prof Dave Craw Dave's research interests include the environmental effects of mining, including coal mining, and active geothermal systems in the Southern Alps.
Prof Rick Sibson Rick works on the mechanics of faulting and fracturing in the Earth's crust and the coupling of fluid redistribution to rock deformation. Stress controls on structural permeability in deforming crust have relevance to: the flow of hydrothermal fluids in active geothermal system (e.g. in the Taupo Volcanic Zone); and, oil-gas generation and migration into reservoirs, and to the compartmentalisation of those reservoirs (e.g. the Taranaki Basin).
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Health Sciences - Microbiology and Immunology	Dr Robin Simmonds Robin is working on the development of microbial based feedstock for conversion to biofuels. Present feedstocks for biofuels are for the most part either oil-rich or sugar-rich plants that are converted into biodiesel or bioethanol. Microorganisms are also able to accumulate lipids or sugars suitable for use in these conversion processes. Microorganisms are useful biological factories: they grow quickly, their metabolic processes are diverse and generally well understood, and they are amenable to strain selection for high yielding variants. There is potential to develop microbes that can convert a variety of waste streams to biofuel feedstock.
Health Sciences - Public Health	Prof Philippa Howden-Chapman Philippa heads two major research programmes relating to housing. The housing, heating and health examines the impact of changing forms of heating on health and wellbeing. The housing, insulation and health study looks at the impact of insulating houses on health and wellbeing.
Information Science	Professor Martin Purvis Professor Purvis is Director of the Software Engineering & Collaborative Modellign Laboratory, a centre for research in distributed information systems, agent-based software engineering, workflow and process modelling, distributed knowledge discovery systems, and mobile communications. He has been the principal investigator on a number of externally-funded research projects, including the recent Global Network Interconnectivity Project funded by TEC. He is the Head of the Information Science Department and is the Director of both the Telecommunications and Software Engineering programmes in Applied Science. His teaching activities include both mobile telecommunications and software engineering.
Dr Maryam Purvis Maryam's research interest is in the area of process modelling, in particular in the context of distributed systems. From an energy point of view, she is interested in modelling and analysing the energy consumption in ICT and how IT techniques can be used in monitoring and controling the energy usage in other areas.
Dr Peter Whigham Peter specialises in spatial information systems, space-time modeling, machine learning, data-mining and network interaction models. While not directly involved in energy work at present, his research background will be required in the future.
Law	Nicola Wheen Nicola is interested in environmental decision-making, the interface between public/ environmental and private rights, and biotechnology.
Ceri Warnock Ceri's primary research interests include environmental, international environmental law and energy law.
Marketing	Dr Juergen Gnoth Juergen is interested in consumer behaviour, and in particular understanding and measuring the influence of emotions on consumption behaviour.
Dr David Holdsworth David's research is in consumer behaviour, particularly quantitative approaches to decision modeling, including conjoint and choice modeling techniques, focused on researching the intrinsic factors behind consumer preferences.
Dr Andrea Insch Andrea is interested in corporate presentation of environmentally sustainable behaviour in natural resource sectors like energy, mining, agriculture.
Prof Rob Lawson Rob specialises 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.
Prof Sarah Todd Sarah's primary research interests are in the general area of consumer behaviour, particularly children's consumption, consumer lifestyles, ethical and sustainable consumption.
Physics	Prof Gerry Carrington Gerry's research is in the area of energy efficient technologies, in particular in industrial drying using heat pump technologies, and the application of these technologies to other drying needs e.g. food, dairy products, and waste products. He is also interested in the adoption and uptake of energy efficient technologies.
Assoc Prof Bob Lloyd Bob works in the area of energy efficiency in housing, 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.
Dr Eric Scharpf Eric's research includes industrial process energy efficiency and optimisation, process safety and reliability, heat pump systems, and gasification of carbonaceous materials including biomass for electrical power generation, heat/steam generation and/or hydrogen/syngas production.
Dr Inga Smith Inga's research interests include energy use in the transport sector, energy use in housing, renewable energy integration and climate related energy issues.
Dr Zhifa Sun Zhifa works in the area of energy efficiencies in industrial processes, heat pump research, and heat pump systems for industrial drying. His research includes the development, design and implementation of energy efficient industrial drying technologies.
Politics	Dr Geoffrey Craig Geoffrey has a research interest in the intersections between the news media, politics and the environmental movement, including news media representations of issues such as sustainability, energy production and consumption.
Psychology	Dr Louis Leland Louis has worked on household and university-wide energy conservation and peak use shifting.
Surveying	Dr Renaud Mathieu Renaud's work includes modelling the distribution of seasonal snow for water resource management and monitoring New Zealand glaciers as indicators of climate change.
Tourism	Dr Anna Thompson Anna explores the relationships between nature-based tourism businesses and the wider business environment. She is interested in issues surrounding energy costs, energy shortage and the potential for the use of alternative energies in the tourism sector.
Dr David Duval David's interests include aviation and transport (management, marketing and strategic planning), including climate change mitigation and the economics of global emissions management in the context of transnational operating environments.

Department

Otago Researcher
(Current Research)

Ralph's research interests include strategic management accounting, organisational effectiveness, business efficiency and sustainability, and business education. He also helps lead a business case study writing group within the School of Business.

Anthropology

Dr Martha Bell

Martha works in the area of sociology of the body, the social relations privileging certain bodies and physical identities, and constructions of physicality and health. She is interested in the family as a ‘good’ economic citizen and family decision-making around household resource use and energy efficiency. In 2009 she is undertaking field work for a comparative study of energy culture in a collaborative Otago Energy Research Centre project.

Biochemistry

Dr 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 potential is to couple water splitting to the production of hydrogen in biological or biologically-inspired systems.

Dr Martin Hohmann-Marriott

Martin's research interest is the exploration of biological energy conversion systems. Understanding the molecular mechanisms and regulatory networks is essential to efficiently utilize biological systems for energy generation. Photosynthesis is the primary mode of energy conversion that Martin studies in a range of bacteria and algae.

CSAFE (Centre for the study of Agriculture, Food, and Environment)

Assoc Prof Hugh Campbell

As a sociologist, Hugh's research interests include sustainable agriculture, environmental trade barriers, consumer perceptions of food, food scares, and strategic options for primary production in New Zealand. Since 1994 he has been involved in the Greening Food programme, which is examining the development of sustainable agriculture practices among food export industries in New Zealand.

Assoc Prof Henrik Moller

Henrik's background is in zoology. His research engages with the social and environmental dynamics of sustainable resource use, particularly in indigenous contexts.

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.

Dr Solis Norton

Solis has a background in agricultural science and veterinary epidemiology. He also has a growing interest and involvement in energy related research, particularly with respect to Peak Oil. He is currently working with the ARGOS project, comparing organic, integrated, and conventional agricultural production systems.

Chemistry

Assoc Prof Keith Gordon

Photovoltaic materials turn light into electricity, and are used in solar energy cells. Currently, most solar cells are based on silicon, but Keith's research into photovoltaic materials takes a new approach, which could lead to a new generation of cheaper cells. Keith is also researching electroluminescent materials, which emit light when an electric charge is run through. He believes there is potential here for much greater efficiencies than currently commercially available.

Prof Keith Hunter

Keith's research relates to the carbon cycle, particularly in the ocean. This has relevance to climate - the ocean is the bottleneck in the carbon cycle in relation to fossil fuels, as it absorbs CO2 very slowly. Other interests are how the carbon cycle changes in relation to glaciation and deglaciation periods, and sequestration of CO2 particularly in the ocean.

Dr Barrie Peake

Barrie is interested in chemical aspects of the environmental impact of existing and potential energy sources in NZ, such as coal, hydro, wind power etc.

Design

Mick Abbott

Mick considers design-led research has an important role in developing multiple future-looking scenarios, prior to pivotal research and community choices being made. 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.

Prof Thomas Bley

Thomas's design interests include home heating – in particular in exploring the potential of developing the European kachelofen for the NZ market. The wood-fired oven has a high level of efficiency and uses thermal mass to store and emit heat.

Dr Sarah Wakes

Sarah’s research focus is on the use of engineering analysis tools, in particularly Computational Fluid Dynamics, within a design context. Energy related research includes; the analysis of a pyrolytic oven with Fisher & Paykel in terms of flow and thermal performance, and the flow of wind over complex topographies.

Economics

Assoc Prof Paul Hansen

Paul's main research interest is in Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis and Conjoint Analysis, and he is co-inventor of 1000Minds, an award-winning software for priority setting and decision making. He is interested in its application with respect to energy use and conservation, from both the demand and supply sides of the energy industry.

Dr Paul Thorsnes

Paul's research focus includes empirical studies of the housing market. One area of current interest is the effect on house sale prices of exposure to the sun and of home owner investments in energy efficiency. Another area of interest is in home owner valuation of the various attributes of energy-related home improvements.

Food Science

Dr Miranda Mirosa

Dr Miranda Mirosa lectures in the Food Science Department at the University of Otago. Miranda is a consumer behavior researcher and her research interests include sustainable consumption (especially in the context of food and energy), consumer movements, activism and consumer policy issues. She finished her PhD at the end of 2009 which was entitled: Dynamic ideologies: Insights from the Slow Food Movement. Until recently Miranda has been coordinating the ‘Energy Cultures’ research project. Miranda is currently working on a number of research projects related to food waste.

Geography

Assoc Prof Claire Freeman

Claire's research focus is in the general field of environmental planning. This includes biodiversity and conservation planning, open space planning; planning with children, and sustainable settlements.

Prof Richard Morgan

Richard's work relates mainly to Environmental Impact Assessment, which lies in the wider context of environmental sustainability. EIA research potentially relates to energy projects, energy related policies and the environmental consequences of both. Richard was the main organiser for the recent NZ Association for Impact Assessment national conference on the theme of Assessing the impacts of Energy Development.

Dr Michelle Thompson-Fawcett

Michelle has a research interest in the exploration of contemporary approaches to planning and environmental management. In particular, this includes analysing innovations aimed at the sustainable management of urban form and the links between urban layout, urban activities, transportation and energy requirements.

Geology

Assoc Prof Dave Craw

Dave's research interests include the environmental effects of mining, including coal mining, and active geothermal systems in the Southern Alps.

Prof Rick Sibson

Rick works on the mechanics of faulting and fracturing in the Earth's crust and the coupling of fluid redistribution to rock deformation. Stress controls on structural permeability in deforming crust have relevance to:

the flow of hydrothermal fluids in active geothermal system (e.g. in the Taupo Volcanic Zone); and,
oil-gas generation and migration into reservoirs, and to the compartmentalisation of those reservoirs (e.g. the Taranaki Basin).

^ Top of page

Health Sciences - Microbiology and Immunology

Dr Robin Simmonds

Robin is working on the development of microbial based feedstock for conversion to biofuels. Present feedstocks for biofuels are for the most part either oil-rich or sugar-rich plants that are converted into biodiesel or bioethanol. Microorganisms are also able to accumulate lipids or sugars suitable for use in these conversion processes. Microorganisms are useful biological factories: they grow quickly, their metabolic processes are diverse and generally well understood, and they are amenable to strain selection for high yielding variants. There is potential to develop microbes that can convert a variety of waste streams to biofuel feedstock.

Health Sciences - Public Health

Prof Philippa Howden-Chapman

Philippa heads two major research programmes relating to housing. The housing, heating and health examines the impact of changing forms of heating on health and wellbeing.

The housing, insulation and health study looks at the impact of insulating houses on health and wellbeing.

Information Science

Professor Martin Purvis

Professor Purvis is Director of the Software Engineering &
Collaborative Modellign Laboratory, a centre for research in
distributed information systems, agent-based software engineering,
workflow and process modelling, distributed knowledge discovery
systems, and mobile communications. He has been the principal
investigator on a number of externally-funded research projects,
including the recent Global Network Interconnectivity Project
funded by TEC.
He is the Head of the Information Science Department and is the
Director of both the Telecommunications and Software Engineering
programmes in Applied Science. His teaching activities include
both mobile telecommunications and software engineering.

Dr Maryam Purvis

Maryam's research interest is in the area of process modelling, in particular in the context of distributed systems. From an energy point of view, she is interested in modelling and analysing the energy consumption in ICT and how IT techniques can be used in monitoring and controling the energy usage in other areas.

Dr Peter Whigham

Peter specialises in spatial information systems, space-time modeling, machine learning, data-mining and network interaction models. While not directly involved in energy work at present, his research background will be required in the future.

Law

Nicola Wheen

Nicola is interested in environmental decision-making, the interface between public/ environmental and private rights, and biotechnology.

Ceri Warnock

Ceri's primary research interests include environmental, international environmental law and energy law.

Marketing

Dr Juergen Gnoth

Juergen is interested in consumer behaviour, and in particular understanding and measuring the influence of emotions on consumption behaviour.

Dr David Holdsworth

David's research is in consumer behaviour, particularly quantitative approaches to decision modeling, including conjoint and choice modeling techniques, focused on researching the intrinsic factors behind consumer preferences.

Dr Andrea Insch

Andrea is interested in corporate presentation of environmentally sustainable behaviour in natural resource sectors like energy, mining, agriculture.

Prof Rob Lawson

Rob specialises 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.

Prof Sarah Todd

Sarah's primary research interests are in the general area of consumer behaviour, particularly children's consumption, consumer lifestyles, ethical and sustainable consumption.

Physics

Prof Gerry Carrington

Gerry's research is in the area of energy efficient technologies, in particular in industrial drying using heat pump technologies, and the application of these technologies to other drying needs e.g. food, dairy products, and waste products. He is also interested in the adoption and uptake of energy efficient technologies.

Assoc Prof Bob Lloyd

Bob works in the area of energy efficiency in housing, 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.

Dr Eric Scharpf

Eric's research includes industrial process energy efficiency and optimisation, process safety and reliability, heat pump systems, and gasification of carbonaceous materials including biomass for electrical power generation, heat/steam generation and/or hydrogen/syngas production.

Dr Inga Smith

Inga's research interests include energy use in the transport sector, energy use in housing, renewable energy integration and climate related energy issues.

Dr Zhifa Sun

Zhifa works in the area of energy efficiencies in industrial processes, heat pump research, and heat pump systems for industrial drying. His research includes the development, design and implementation of energy efficient industrial drying technologies.

Politics

Dr Geoffrey Craig

Geoffrey has a research interest in the intersections between the news media, politics and the environmental movement, including news media representations of issues such as sustainability, energy production and consumption.

Psychology

Dr Louis Leland

Louis has worked on household and university-wide energy conservation and peak use shifting.

Surveying

Dr Renaud Mathieu

Renaud's work includes modelling the distribution of seasonal snow for water resource management and monitoring New Zealand glaciers as indicators of climate change.

Tourism

Dr Anna Thompson

Anna explores the relationships between nature-based tourism businesses and the wider business environment. She is interested in issues surrounding energy costs, energy shortage and the potential for the use of alternative energies in the tourism sector.

Dr David Duval

David's interests include aviation and transport (management, marketing and strategic planning), including climate change mitigation and the economics of global emissions management in the context of transnational operating environments.