Accessibility Skip to Global Navigation Skip to Local Navigation Skip to Content Skip to Search Skip to Site Map Menu

Associate Professor Janet Stephenson 

Director, Research Associate Professor 
Tel: (+64) 3 479 8779
Email: janet.stephenson@otago.ac.nz

Janet Stephenson (160)
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.

She chairs the National Energy Research Institute, and is the New Zealand Universities' on the Cross-Agency-Government Committee for the Ministry of Transport's Transport Knowledge Hub

Current & recent research projects

 Current projects

  • Sustainable Seas - Janet is a member of the Science Leadership Team (SLT) on the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge. She is cross-programme projects leader, with projects including how ecosystem-based management (EBM) fits into New Zealand’s legislative and policy frameworks, and an EBM case study being trialled in Tasman and Golden Bays. 
  • Science for Technological Innovation - Janet's research in this National Science Challenge is looking at the potential for farmers who use electricity for irrigation to become more involved in demand response in the electricity system.
  • Green Grid - Janet is a key researcher in the Green Grid research programme. The research examines 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 is led by the Epecentre, University of Canterbury.

Current funded international collaborations

  • Coolcrowd  - Consortium partner and investigator in the Norwegian-based Coolcrowd research programme funded by KLIMAFORSK, which investigates crowdfunding as a mechanism for greenhouse gas mitigation in agriculture.
  • Biosmart  – managing the transition to a smart bioeconomy: Research associate in this four-year research programme led by the Centre for Rural Research (Bygdeforskning), Trondheim, Norway.  

Recent Projects

  • 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 in the Energy Cultures Policy Briefs.
  • The Dunedin Energy Study 2015-2016  - This project was undertaken for Dunedin City Council and is a stock-take and analysis of energy use in the city for 2015 calendar year and 2016 financial year.
  • Designing knowledge-based management systems for environmental governance in Norway : Research associate in this 3-year research programme led by the Fridtjof Nansen Institute, Oslo, Norway.
  • Transition to a low-carbon economy for New Zealand - Janet was on the expert writing panel for this report produced by the Royal Society of New Zealand.
  •  Generation Y mobilities  -  Young peoples’ perspectives on transport and mobility.
  • Dunedin Energy Baseline Study  - A quantification of the energy supplies into Dunedin City during 2014, and greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Maori and Mining: A multi-disciplinary study on how mining in New Zealand relates to and impacts on Maori.
  • Facing the Future: Towards a Green Economy for New Zealand  - An Emerging Issues paper published by the Royal Society of New Zealand suggesting that New Zealand should carefully review its direction of development, and the potential for New Zealand to move towards a green economy.
  • Tirohia he Huarahi - Governance, planning, and management of coastal mahinga kai (customary food-gathering places).
  • Energy Cultures 1 - Interdisciplinary study characterising household energy behaviours and identifying opportunities for behaviour change.
  • Mātauranga and the RMA - Tools and techniques for communicating Māori values and concerns in the resource management process.
  • Technology Users’ Innovation - Innovators’ networks and their contribution to success.
  • Social Acceptance of Renewable Electricity Generation in New Zealand

Selected Recent Publications

Artelle, K., Stephenson, J., Bragg, C., Housty, J., Housty, W., Kawharu, M., & Turner, N. (2018). Values-led management: the guidance of place-based values in environmental relationships of the past, present, and future. Ecology and Society, 23(3).

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.

Stephenson, J. (2018). Sustainability cultures and energy research: An actor-centred interpretation of cultural theory. Energy Research & Social Science, 44, 242-249.

Ngarangi, H., Stephenson, J., & Hopkins, D. (2018). Shared mobility in a Māori community. Kotuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Science Online.

Stephenson, J., Orchiston, C., Saunders, W., Kerr, S., MacMillian, A., McKenzie, L., Bartlett, M., Boston, J., Brankin, C., Clare, S., Craddock-Henry, N., Glavovic, B., Kenderdine, S., Kennedy, M., Owen, S., Paulik, R., Rodgers, R., Torstonson, S., Tuahine, H., Willis, S. (2018). Communities and Climate Change” Vulnerability to rising seas and more frequent flooding. Motu Economic and Public Policy Research, Wellington.

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.

Stephenson, J., Ford, R., Nair, N-K, Watson, N., Wood, A., Miller, A. (2018). Smart Grid Research in New Zealand. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 82, 1636-1645

^ Top of page

Publications

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

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

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

Haerewa, N., Stephenson, J., & Hopkins, D. (2018). Shared mobility in a Māori community. Kōtuitui. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/1177083X.2018.1469516

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. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.marpol.2018.05.024

Authored Book - Research

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.

Stephenson, J., Bauchop, H., & Petchey, P. (2004). Bannockburn heritage landscape study. Wellington, New Zealand: Department of Conservation, 120p.

^ Top of page

Edited 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.

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.

^ Top of page

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

^ Top of page

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

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. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.marpol.2018.05.024

Haerewa, N., Stephenson, J., & Hopkins, D. (2018). Shared mobility in a Māori community. Kōtuitui. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/1177083X.2018.1469516

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stephenson, J., Ford, R., Nair, N.-K., Watson, N., Wood, A., & Miller, A. (2017). Smart grid research in New Zealand: A review from the GREEN Grid research programme. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2017.07.010

Stephenson, J., Spector, S., Hopkins, D., & McCarthy, A. (2017). Deep interventions for a sustainable transport future. Transportation Research Part D. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.trd.2017.06.031

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

Stephenson, J. (2010). The Dimensional Landscape Model: Exploring differences in expressing and locating landscape qualities. Landscape Research, 35(3), 299-318. doi: 10.1080/01426391003743934

Stephenson, J., Lawson, R., Carrington, G., Barton, B., Thorsnes, P., & Mirosa, M. (2010). The practice of interdisciplinarity. International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, 5(7), 271-282.

Stephenson, J., Barton, B., Carrington, G., Gnoth, D., Lawson, R., & Thorsnes, P. (2010). Energy cultures: A framework for understanding energy behaviours. Energy Policy, 38, 6120-6129. doi: 10.1016/j.enpol.2010.05.069

Stephenson, J. (2010). People and place. Planning Theory & Practice, 11(1), 9-21. doi: 10.1080/14649350903549878

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.

Stephenson, J., & Moller, H. (2009). Cross-cultural environmental research and management: Challenges and progress. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 39(4), 139-149. doi: 10.1080/03014220909510567

Graham, J. B., Stephenson, J. R., & Smith, I. J. (2009). Public perceptions of wind energy developments: Case studies from New Zealand. Energy Policy, 37(9), 3348-3357. doi: 10.1016/j.enpol.2008.12.035

Stephenson, J. (2008). The Cultural Values Model: An integrated approach to values in landscapes. Landscape & Urban Planning, 84(2), 127-139. doi: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2007.07.003

Stephenson, J. (2007). Many perceptions, one landscape. Landscape Review, 11(2), 9-30.

Stephenson, J. (2006). Conflict in the landscape: A case study of the cultural values model. Public History Review, 13, 35-52.

Ruru, J., & Stephenson, J. (2004). Wahi tapu and the law. New Zealand Law Journal, (March), 57-59.

^ Top of page

Journal - Research Other

Stephenson, J. (2017). What does energy mean? An interdisciplinary conversation. Energy Research & Social Science, 26, 103-106. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2017.01.014

Hopkins, D., & Stephenson, J. (2014). Generation Y mobilities through the lens of energy cultures: A preliminary exploration of mobility cultures. Journal of Transport Geography, 38, 88-91. doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2014.05.013

Stephenson, J. (2012). [Review of the book An introduction to landscape]. New Zealand Geographer, 68(2), 147-149. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-7939.2012.01230_7.x

^ Top of page

Journal - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles

Stephenson, J., Lawson, R., & Hoffman, M. (2013). The 'silent majority': Understanding the opinions and motivations of non-submitters. Planning Quarterly, 189, 16-22.

Stephenson, J., & Ioannou, M. (2013). Seven assumptions about public opposition to renewable energies. Planning Quarterly, 191, 24-30.

More publications...