Research Professor
Acting Director, Centre for Sustainability
Postgraduate Co-ordinator
Tel +64 3 479 9244
Email janet.stephenson@otago.ac.nz
Research background
17 August 2021.
Janet Stephenson is passionate about collaborative, interdisciplinary research. Her research interests include indigenous resource management; the interconnections between people and their local environments; and the role of individuals and organisations in the transition to a sustainable future.
Janet has been Director of the Centre for Sustainability since February 2011. Her academic background is in sociology, planning and human geography. She joined the Centre as a Senior Research Fellow at the end of 2008, having previously taught in the Geography Department at Otago University from 2002–2008.
Janet is on the steering committee for the University of Otago research themes Catchments Otago and Otago Energy Research Centre.
She is on the Advisory Board of INCLUDE, a Norwegian research centre for socially inclusive energy transitions, the BEATS research programme (Built Environment and Active Transport to School) and the BRANZ Transition to Zero Carbon Programme.
She is also a member of the Coastal People: Southern Skies collaboration that connects communities with world-leading, cross-disciplinary research to rebuild coastal ecosystems.
Current PhD Students
- Mino Cleverley - Samoa and Fa'asinomaga - An Indigenous Perspective of Forced Migration on account of Sea-level Rise and Climate Change
- Courtney Simpson - The role of carbon markets and investment in New Zealand’s transition to a low carbon economy
- Ariane Bray - Reframing climate policy through justice, fairness, and equity
- Carsten Dortans - Changes in household energy behaviours following adoption of solar generation
- Sarah Harrison - Health and wellbeing impacts of climate change in South Dunedin
- Ben Tombs - Does the Crown have obligations to act ahead of inevitable damage and loss due to climate change?
- Kakau Foliaki - Energy Cultures in Tonga
- Suzanne Claessen - Exploring children’s relations with local biodiversity through cartooning
- Jefferson Dew - Demand response in agricultural electricity consumption
Supervised PhDs awarded
- Suzanne Claessen – Insect Play – transforming multispecies stories with unloved creatures, comics and children
- Jamie Metzger – Mauri and Museums: Who really cares? The tensions between kaitiakitanga and museology
- Will Stovall - Faces of stone: environmental history and cultures of Paha Sapa (The Black Hills), USA
- Imran Khan – A Temporal Approach to Characterizing Electrical Peak Demand
- Gilles Marciniak - The Landscapes of Today and Tomorrow - A phenomenological exploration of experience and anticipation in the context of climate change
- Salma Bakr - Dynamic Demand Response in Residential Prosumer Collectives
- Daniel Gnoth - Residential mobility and changing energy related behaviour
- Ikerne Aguirre-Bielschowsky - Electricity Saving Behaviours and Energy Literacy of New Zealand Children
- Yuan Lu – The Role of Local Knowledge in Yancheng National Nature Reserve
- Stephanie Rotarangi - Planted forests on ancestral land: the experiences and resilience of Māori land owners
Research
Current projects
- Innovations for Climate Adaptation (2022-2024). Co-Principal Investigator with Prof Merata Kawharu. This project tracks innovations in governance and management that are being undertaken by mana whenua and local authorities as they adjust to making decisions for a climate-impacted future. Funded by Deep South National Science Challenge.
- Simulation of climate change impacts on the New Zealand energy system (2020-23). Associate Investigator. Funded by Deep South National Science Challenge.
- Kainga and Climate Change (2019-2024). Associate investigator in this project which is working with 7 rural Māori communities om how they and their descendants can better shape a future that builds community and environmental resilience in response to climate change. Funded by MBIE Endeavour Fund.
Current funded international collaborations
- Flexeffects (2019-2022) examines how flexible electricity use among households can be achieved amongst Norwegian households, trialling various way to incentivise flexible electricity consumption. Funded by the Norwegian Research Council
- Bioshare (2019-2022) explores bioeconomies as the ‘new oil’ for Norway and how benefit-sharing could be achieved in these new economies. Funded by the Norwegian Research Council.
Recent projects
- Climate-Adaptive Communities (2018-19) Janet was Principal Investigator for this research programme funded by the Deep South National Science Challenge. The findings (including videos, webinars, a cartoon and policy advice) support local government staff to build community readiness to engage with coastal communities that are facing climate change challenges such as sea level rise.
- Sustainable Seas (2017-2019) Janet was a member of the Science Leadership Team (SLT) on the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge 2017-2019. As cross-programme leader, she was responsible for the delivery of projects including how ecosystem-based management (EBM) fits into New Zealand’s legislative and policy frameworks, and an EBM case study trialled in Tasman and Golden Bays.
- Demand Response in Agriculture (2017-2019) Janet's research in this National Science Challenge looked at the potential for dairy farmers with irrigated farms to become involved in demand response in the electricity system. PhD student Jefferson Dew has a major role in this project.
- Biosmart (2015-2018) Research on managing the transition to a smart bioeconomy. Led by Ruralis, Norway.
- Vulnerable Communities and Climate Change (2017) involved a series of dialogues with stakeholders nationally about what issues communities were facing with climate change, and where research was required. Funded by the Deep South National Science Challenge, contracted to Motu.
- Valuation Frameworks for marine decision-making (2016-2019) Janet was an Associate Investigator in this workstream of the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge.
- Green Grid - Janet was a key researcher in the Green Grid research programme. The research examined how NZ’s electricity grid can be managed in future with higher levels of renewable energy, distributed generation, and consumer uptake of new grid-connected appliances such as photovoltaics, electric vehicles and energy management systems. The programme was led by the Epecentre, University of Canterbury.
- Energy Cultures 2 - Janet led the four-year interdisciplinary Energy Cultures 2 research programme. It addressed the questions: How best might NZ realise cost-effective opportunities for energy efficiency and savings in homes, small businesses and their transport? What do new transport technologies and practices offer for greater efficiencies? The results are summarised for policy makers:
Energy Cultures Policy Briefs
Selected outreach (reports, videos)
Stories of Kelso: Experiences of relocation and lessons for planned retreat. MacKenzie, J., Bond, S., & Stephenson, J. (2022)
Stephenson, J. (2021, August). Culture and sustainability. University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Inaugural Professorial Lecture.
Reducing GHGs on farms: A summary of options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions on New Zealand livestock farms. Hamill, B. & Stephenson, J. (2020). A report from the Coolcrowd research project.
Dunedin Energy Study 2018–19. Cook, F., Stephenson, J., & Jack, M. (2020).
Electric vehicle uptake in Dunedin 2019. Stephenson, J., & Cook, F. (2020).
Reducing GHGs on farms: A summary of options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions on New Zealand livestock farms. Hamill, B. & Stephenson, J. (2020). A report from the Coolcrowd research project.
Communities and Climate Change [Cartoon strip]. Stephenson, J. & Neilson, C. (2019). From the Climate-Adaptive Communities project of the Deep South National Science Challenge.
Community Development for Climate Adaptation: One neighbourhood’s perspective. [Video] Stephenson, J. (2019). From the Climate-Adaptive Communities project of the Deep South National Science Challenge.
Community Development for Climate Adaptation: Dunedin City Council perspective. [Video]. Stephenson, J. (2019). From the Climate-Adaptive Communities project of the Deep South National Science Challenge.
Council-community engagement for a climate-impacted future. [Policy brief]. Stephenson, J., Barber, J., Barth, J., Bond, S., Diprose, G., Heyd, C., Kirk, N., Laurie-Fendall, R., Orchiston, C., Saunders, W., Simon, K., Thomas, A., Vincent, N. (2019).
Council-community engagement for climate adaptation [Webinar]. Stephenson, J. & Bond, S. (2019). From the Climate-Adaptive Communities project of the Deep South National Science Challenge.
Selected media features
Our grandchildren need change now Op-Ed in Otago Daily Times 16 July 2022
Shift to renewables unlikely to leave NZ in the dark. Morning report interview with Radio NZ on NZ’s energy future. 18 July 2022
Pumped storage and the intricate dance Stuff 17 August 2020
Planning for a post-growth world Interest.co.nz 8 August 2020
New Zealand wants to build a 100% renewable electricity grid, but massive infrastructure is not the best option. The Conversation (online) (30 July 2020)
Covid-19 has nothing on what’s coming Op-ed in Newsroom (online) (20 April 2020)
Publications
MacArthur, J., & Stephenson, J. (2022). Energy politics and policy. In J. MacArthur & M. Bargh (Eds.), Environmental politics and policy in Aotearoa New Zealand. (pp. 255-281). Auckland, New Zealand: Auckland University Press.
MacKenzie, J., Bond, S., & Stephenson, J. (2022). Stories of Kelso: Experiences of relocation and lessons for planned retreat. Dunedin, New Zealand: Centre for Sustainability, University of Otago. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/12865
Dortans, C., Stephenson, J., Jack, M., & Anderson, B. (2021). What happens to demand after households adopt PV. Proceedings of the 15th Otago Energy Research Centre (OERC) Symposium: The Challenge of Net Zero by 2050. Retrieved from https://www.otago.ac.nz/oerc/symposia
Mandic, S., García Bengoechea, E., Hopkins, D., Coppell, K., Smith, M., Moore, A., Keall, M., Ergler, C., Sandretto, S., … Flaherty, C., … Stephenson, J., King, K., & Spence, J. C. (2021, November). Transport to school patterns of Otago adolescents by home-to-school distance and settlement types. Verbal presentation at the 3rd Transport Research Network (TRN) Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Stephenson, J. (2021, August). Culture and sustainability. University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Inaugural Professorial Lecture].
Ruckstuhl, K., Carter, L., Easterbrook, L., Gorman, A. R., Rae, H., Ruru, J., Ruwhiu, D., Stephenson, J., Suszko, A., Thompson-Fawcett, M., & Turner, R. (2013). Māori and mining. Dunedin, New Zealand: University of Otago, 59p. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/4362
Authored Book - Research
Stephenson, J., Bauchop, H., & Petchey, P. (2004). Bannockburn heritage landscape study. Wellington, New Zealand: Department of Conservation, 120p.
Authored Book - Research
Ruru, J., Stephenson, J., & Abbott, M. (Eds.). (2011). Making our place: Exploring land-use tensions in Aotearoa New Zealand. Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press, 240p.
Edited Book - Research
Stephenson, J., Abbott, M., & Ruru, J. (Eds.). (2010). Beyond the scene: Landscape and identity in Aotearoa New Zealand. Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press, 224p.
Edited Book - Research
MacArthur, J., & Stephenson, J. (2022). Energy politics and policy. In J. MacArthur & M. Bargh (Eds.), Environmental politics and policy in Aotearoa New Zealand. (pp. 255-281). Auckland, New Zealand: Auckland University Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Stephenson, J. (2020). Sustainability cultures: Exploring the relationships between cultural attributes and sustainability outcomes. In K. Legun, J. C. Keller, M. Carolan & M. M. Bell (Eds.), The Cambridge Handbook of Environmental Sociology (Vol. 2). (pp. 236-248). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/9781108554558.016
Chapter in Book - Research
Stovall, W., Higham, J., & Stephenson, J. (2019). Prepared for take-off? Anthropogenic climate change and the global challenge of twenty-first-century tourism. In D. J. Timothy (Ed.), Handbook of globalisation and tourism. (pp. 174-187). Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar. doi: 10.4337/9781786431295
Chapter in Book - Research
Ruru, J., Stephenson, J., & Abbott, M. (2011). Tension lines. In J. Ruru, J. Stephenson & M. Abbott (Eds.), Making our place: Exploring land-use tensions in Aotearoa New Zealand. (pp. 13-22). Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Stephenson, J., & Gorrie, S. (2011). ‘Just part of who you are’: The hidden significance of landscape in the wind-farm debate. In J. Ruru, J. Stephenson & M. Abbott (Eds.), Making our place: Exploring land-use tensions in Aotearoa New Zealand. (pp. 185-200). Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Stephenson, J., Abbott, M., & Ruru, J. (2011). Shifting positions. In J. Ruru, J. Stephenson & M. Abbott (Eds.), Making our place: Exploring land-use tensions in Aotearoa New Zealand. (pp. 201-210). Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Abbott, M., Ruru, J., & Stephenson, J. (2010). Entering landscape. In J. Stephenson, M. Abbott & J. Ruru (Eds.), Beyond the scene: Landscape and identity in Aotearoa New Zealand. (pp. 13-21). Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Ruru, J., Stephenson, J., & Abbott, M. (2010). Landscape's generosity. In J. Stephenson, M. Abbott & J. Ruru (Eds.), Beyond the scene: Landscape and identity in Aotearoa New Zealand. (pp. 197-202). Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Stephenson, J. (2010). Patina: People and place in Akaroa. In J. Stephenson, M. Abbott & J. Ruru (Eds.), Beyond the scene: Landscape and identity in Aotearoa New Zealand. (pp. 151-166). Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Dew, J. J. W., Jack, M. W., Stephenson, J., & Walton, S. (2021). Reducing electricity demand peaks on large-scale dairy farms. Sustainable Production & Consumption, 25, 248-258. doi: 10.1016/j.spc.2020.08.014
Journal - Research Article
Dudley Tombs, B., Stephenson, J., France-Hudson, B., & Ellis, E. (2021). 'Property purgatory'. Policy Quarterly, 17(1), 50-56.
Journal - Research Article
Khan, I., Jack, M. W., & Stephenson, J. (2021). Dominant factors for targeted demand side management: An alternate approach for residential demand profiling in developing countries. Sustainable Cities & Society, 67, 102693. doi: 10.1016/j.scs.2020.102693
Journal - Research Article
Stephenson, J. R., Sovacool, B. K., & Inderberg, T. H. J. (2021). Energy cultures and national decarbonisation pathways. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 137, 110592. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2020.110592
Journal - Research Article
Tadaki, M., Sinner, J., Šunde, C., Giorgetti, A., Glavovic, B., Awatere, S., … Stephenson, J. (2021). Four propositions about how valuation intervenes in local environmental politics. People & Nature, 3, 190-203. doi: 10.1002/pan3.10165
Journal - Research Article
Bach, L., Hopkins, D., & Stephenson, J. (2020). Solar electricity cultures: Household adoption dynamics and energy policy in Switzerland. Energy Research & Social Science, 63, 101395. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2019.101395
Journal - Research Article
Dortans, C., Jack, M. W., Anderson, B., & Stephenson, J. (2020). Lightening the load: Quantifying the potential for energy-efficient lighting to reduce peaks in electricity demand. Energy Efficiency, 13, 1105-1118. doi: 10.1007/s12053-020-09870-8
Journal - Research Article
Stephenson, J., Barth, J., Bond, S., Diprose, G., Orchiston, C., Simon, K., & Thomas, A. (2020). Engaging with communities for climate change adaptation: Introducing community development for adaptation. Policy Quarterly, 16(2), 35-40. doi: 10.26686/pq.v16i2.6480
Journal - Research Article
Baldwin, C., Marshall, G., Ross, H., Cavaye, J., Stephenson, J., Carter, L., Freeman, C., … Syme, G. (2019). Hybrid neoliberalism: Implications for sustainable development. Society & Natural Resources, 32(5), 566-587. doi: 10.1080/08941920.2018.1556758
Journal - Research Article
Khan, I., Jack, M. W., & Stephenson, J. (2019). Identifying residential daily electricity-use profiles through time-segmented regression analysis. Energy & Buildings, 194, 232-246. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2019.04.026
Journal - Research Article
Suomalainen, K., Eyers, D., Ford, R., Stephenson, J., Anderson, B., & Jack, M. (2019). Detailed comparison of energy-related time-use diaries and monitored residential electricity demand. Energy & Buildings, 183, 418-427. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2018.11.002
Journal - Research Article
Aguirre-Bielschowsky, I., Lawson, R., Stephenson, J., & Todd, S. (2018). Kids and kilowatts: Socialisation, energy efficiency, and electricity consumption in New Zealand. Energy Research & Social Science, 44, 178-186. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2018.04.020
Journal - Research Article
Artelle, K. A., Stephenson, J., Bragg, C., Housty, W. G., Kawharu, M., & Turner, N. J. (2018). Values-led management: The guidance of place-based values in environmental relationships of the past, present, and future. Ecology & Society, 23(3), 35. doi: 10.5751/es-10357-230335
Journal - Research Article
Carrington, G., & Stephenson, J. (2018). The politics of energy scenarios: Are International Energy Agency and other conservative projections hampering the renewable energy transition? Energy Research & Social Science, 46, 103-113. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2018.07.011
Journal - Research Article
Haerewa, N., Stephenson, J., & Hopkins, D. (2018). Shared mobility in a Māori community. Kōtuitui, 13(2), 233-245. doi: 10.1080/1177083X.2018.1469516
Journal - Research Article
Khan, I., Jack, M. W., & Stephenson, J. (2018). Analysis of greenhouse gas emissions in electricity systems using time-varying carbon intensity. Journal of Cleaner Production, 184, 1091-1101. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.02.309
Journal - Research Article
Stephenson, J. (2018). Sustainability cultures and energy research: An actor-centred interpretation of cultural theory. Energy Research & Social Science, 44, 242-249. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2018.05.034
Journal - Research Article
Stephenson, J., Ford, R., Nair, N.-K., Watson, N., Wood, A., & Miller, A. (2018). Smart grid research in New Zealand: A review from the GREEN Grid research programme. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 82(1), 1636-1645. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2017.07.010
Journal - Research Article
Stephenson, J., Spector, S., Hopkins, D., & McCarthy, A. (2018). Deep interventions for a sustainable transport future. Transportation Research Part D, 61, 356-372. doi: 10.1016/j.trd.2017.06.031
Journal - Research Article
Šunde, C., Sinner, J., Tadaki, M., Stephenson, J., Glavovic, B., Awatere, S., … Chan, K. (2018). Valuation as destruction? The social effects of valuation processes in contested marine spaces. Marine Policy, 97, 170-178. doi: 10.1016/j.marpol.2018.05.024
Journal - Research Article
Aguirre-Bielschowsky, I., Lawson, R., Stephenson, J., & Todd, S. (2017). Energy literacy and agency of New Zealand children. Environmental Education Research, 23(6), 832-854. doi: 10.1080/13504622.2015.1054267
Journal - Research Article
Ford, R., Walton, S., Stephenson, J., Rees, D., Scott, M., King, G., Williams, J., & Wooliscroft, B. (2017). Emerging energy transitions: PV uptake beyond subsidies. Technological Forecasting & Social Change, 117, 138-150. doi: 10.1016/j.techfore.2016.12.007
Journal - Research Article
Rees, D., Stephenson, J., Hopkins, D., & Doering, A. (2017). Exploring stability and change in transport systems: Combining Delphi and system dynamics approaches. Transportation, 44(4), 789-805. doi: 10.1007/s11116-016-9677-7
Journal - Research Article
Hopkins, D., & Stephenson, J. (2016). The replication and reduction of automobility: Findings from Aotearoa New Zealand. Journal of Transport Geography, 56, 92-101. doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2016.09.005
Journal - Research Article
Scott, M. G., McCarthy, A., Ford, R., Stephenson, J., & Gorrie, S. (2016). Evaluating the impact of energy interventions: Home audits vs. community events. Energy Efficiency, 9, 1221-1240. doi: 10.1007/s12053-015-9420-9
Journal - Research Article
Stephenson, J., Barton, B., Carrington, G., Doering, A., Ford, R., Hopkins, D., Lawson, R., McCarthy, A., … Scott, M., Thorsnes, P., Walton, S., Williams, J., & Wooliscroft, B. (2015). The energy cultures framework: Exploring the role of norms, practices and material culture in shaping energy behaviour in New Zealand. Energy Research & Social Science, 7, 117-123. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2015.03.005
Journal - Research Article
Stephenson, J., Hopkins, D., & Doering, A. (2015). Conceptualizing transport transitions: Energy Cultures as an organizing framework. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy & Environment, 4, 354-364. doi: 10.1002/wene.149
Journal - Research Article
Bell, M., Carrington, G., Lawson, R., & Stephenson, J. (2014). Socio-technical barriers to the use of energy-efficient timber drying technology in New Zealand. Energy Policy, 67, 747-755. doi: 10.1016/j.enpol.2013.12.010
Journal - Research Article
Campion, R., & Stephenson, J. (2014). Recreation on private property: Landowner attitudes towards allemansrätt. Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure & Events, 6(1), 52-65. doi: 10.1080/19407963.2013.800873
Journal - Research Article
Rotarangi, S. J., & Stephenson, J. (2014). Resilience pivots: Stability and identity in a social-ecological-cultural system. Ecology & Society, 19(1), 28. doi: 10.5751/ES-06262-190128
Journal - Research Article
Stephenson, J., Berkes, F., Turner, N. J., & Dick, J. (2014). Biocultural conservation of marine ecosystems: Examples from New Zealand and Canada. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 13(2), 257-265.
Journal - Research Article
Stephenson, J., & Lawson, R. (2013). Giving voice to the 'silent majority': Exploring the opinions and motivations of people who do not make submissions. Policy Quarterly, 9(1), 26-33.
Journal - Research Article
Turner, N. J., Berkes, F., Stephenson, J., & Dick, J. (2013). Blundering intruders: Extraneous impacts on two indigenous food systems. Human Ecology, 41(4), 563-574. doi: 10.1007/s10745-013-9591-y
Journal - Research Article
Dick, J., Stephenson, J., Kirikiri, R., Moller, H., & Turner, R. (2012). Listening to the kaitiaki: Consequences of the loss of abundance and biodiversity of coastal ecosystems in Aotearoa New Zealand. MAI Journal, 1(2), 117-130.
Journal - Research Article
Schaefer, M. S., Lloyd, B., & Stephenson, J. R. (2012). The suitability of a feed-in tariff for wind energy in New Zealand: A study based on stakeholders' perspectives. Energy Policy, 43, 80-91. doi: 10.1016/j.enpol.2011.12.032
Journal - Research Article
Campion, R., & Stephenson, J. (2010). The 'right to roam': Lessons for New Zealand from Sweden's allemansrätt. Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, 17(1), 18-26.
Journal - Research Article
Stephenson, J. (2010). People and place. Planning Theory & Practice, 11(1), 9-21. doi: 10.1080/14649350903549878
Journal - Research Article
