• Renewable Energy in Peripheral and Arctic Regions:

  • Implementation of Renewable Energy Systems:
    • Developing and integrating renewable energy solutions in harsh, remote, and isolated environments.
    • Addressing unique challenges faced by peripheral and Arctic communities in adopting sustainable technologies.
    • Projects Involved:
      • Generating Renewable Energy Business Enterprises (GREBE): Supported renewable energy business development in peripheral and Arctic regions.
      • Regional Innovation in the Nordic Arctic and Scotland (REGINA): Focused on regional innovation with an emphasis on areas hosting large-scale projects.

• Green Hydrogen Technologies:

  • Hydrogen Production and Utilization:
    • Investigating the production of green hydrogen from excess renewable energy sources.
    • Enhancing energy storage solutions and exploring hydrogen as a sustainable fuel alternative.
    • Project Led:
      • Hydrogen Utilization and Green Energy (HUGE): Led a team across 8 countries to deliver this Interreg project, advancing research in green hydrogen utilization.

• Decarbonization of Industrialized Islands:

  • Strategies for Carbon Reduction:
    • Developing and implementing strategies to reduce carbon emissions in industrialized island settings.
    • Collaborating internationally to create replicable decarbonization models for island communities.
    • Project Collaborated:
      • ROBINSON (Horizon 2020): Worked with 18 partners across 10 European countries to advance decarbonization efforts.

• Sustainable Aviation:

  • Advancement of Sustainable Technologies:
    • Focusing on electric and hybrid propulsion systems to minimize the environmental impact of air travel.
    • Participated in competitions to drive innovation in sustainable aviation.
    • Projects Collaborated:
      • Sustainable Aviation & Test Environment (SATE): Collaborated with 10 partners in the UKRI Phase I Future Flight Challenge.
      • SATE II (UKRI Future Flight Challenge Phase II): Continued collaboration with 11 partners to advance sustainable aviation solutions.

• Community Energy and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Empowering Local Communities:
    • Promoting community-led renewable energy projects to empower local populations.
    • Engaging with communities to develop sustainable practices that align with their needs and values.
    • Integration with Teaching:
      • Connecting teaching, communities, and students to bridge academia and real-world applications.
      • Providing students with hands-on experience through collaboration with local communities.

• Just Transition and Skills Development:

  • Supporting Equitable Transition:
    • Analyzing skills gaps to support a just transition towards sustainable energy practices.
    • Ensuring workforce development aligns with the evolving needs of the renewable energy sector.
    • Project Involved:
      • Just Transition Project: Funded by the Scottish Government, focused on skills gap analysis to facilitate equitable transitions.

• Circular Economy and Marine Waste Recycling:

  • Promoting Recycling and Reuse:
    • Advocating for the recycling and reuse of marine plastic waste.
    • Implementing circular economy principles to reduce environmental pollution and create economic opportunities.
    • Project Collaborated:
      • Circular Ocean: Worked with 14 partners across 7 countries to deliver this Interreg project.

• Transnational Collaboration and Innovation:

  • Fostering International Partnerships:
    • Encouraging knowledge transfer among SMEs, start-ups, and communities in the renewable energy sector.
    • Building support networks and collaborative platforms to share best practices across regions.

Through these research activities, I aim to contribute to the development of resilient and dynamic communities capable of meeting their energy needs sustainably. My expertise emphasizes collaborative approaches, technological innovation, and practical solutions to address both local and global environmental challenges. By integrating education, research, and community engagement, I strive to prepare the next generation of sustainability leaders and ensure that academic initiatives have a tangible positive impact on society.

My research centers on sustainable energy solutions and their implementation in peripheral, remote, and island regions, with a strong emphasis on community engagement and education. I am particularly interested in renewable energy technologies, green hydrogen utilisation, community energy projects, and decarbonisation strategies. My work aims to facilitate the transition to low-carbon economies through innovation, collaboration, and practical support for businesses, communities, and students.

Key Areas of Interest:

• Community Energy and Sustainability Initiatives:

• Promoting community-led renewable energy projects to empower local populations.
• Engaging with communities to develop sustainable practices that align with their needs and values.
• Facilitating the adoption of renewable energy technologies at the grassroots level.

• Connecting Teaching, Communities, and Students:

• Integrating real-world sustainability projects into teaching curricula.
• Providing students with hands-on experience through collaboration with local communities.
• Fostering a new generation of professionals equipped to tackle sustainability challenges.

• Renewable Energy Deployment in Remote Regions:

• Exploring the integration of renewable energy systems in harsh and isolated environments.
• Addressing the unique challenges faced by peripheral and Arctic communities in adopting sustainable energy technologies.

• Green Hydrogen Technologies:

• Investigating the production and utilisation of green hydrogen generated from excess renewable energy.
• Enhancing energy storage solutions to improve supply stability and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

• Decarbonisation of Industrialised Islands:

• Developing strategies to reduce carbon emissions in island settings with significant industrial activities.
• Collaborating on projects like ROBINSON (H2020) to create replicable models for other island communities.

• Sustainable Aviation:

• Advancing sustainable aviation technologies through projects like SATE and SATE II (UKRI Future Flight Challenge).
• Focusing on electric and hybrid propulsion systems to minimize the environmental impact of air travel.

• Just Transition and Skills Development:

• Analysing skills gaps to support a just transition towards sustainable energy practices.
• Ensuring that workforce development aligns with the evolving needs of the renewable energy sector.

• Circular Economy and Marine Waste Recycling:

• Promoting the recycling and reuse of marine plastic waste through initiatives like the Circular Ocean project.
• Implementing circular economy principles to reduce environmental pollution and create economic opportunities.

• Regional Innovation and Transnational Collaboration:

• Fostering innovation and knowledge transfer among SMEs, start-ups, and communities in the renewable energy sector.
• Building support networks and collaborative platforms to share best practices across regions.

Through these research activities, I aim to contribute to the development of resilient and dynamic communities capable of meeting their energy needs sustainably. By connecting teaching, communities, and students, I strive to bridge the gap between academia and real-world applications, ensuring that educational initiatives directly benefit local communities and prepare students to become leaders in sustainability. My work emphasizes the importance of collaborative approaches, technological innovation, and practical solutions to address both local and global environmental challenges.

As a seasoned academic leader with a proven track record in curriculum development and academic management, I have made significant contributions to enhancing educational programs and teaching excellence at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). My achievements reflect a strong commitment to academic quality assurance, interdisciplinary collaboration, and continuous professional development.

Curriculum Development and Redevelopment

• MSc Programme in Net Zero Communities: Spearheaded the development of this innovative program, aligning the curriculum with cutting-edge sustainability principles and industry demands to prepare students for the challenges of transitioning to a net-zero future.
• Sustainability Scheme Reapproval: Participated the successful reapproval process of the Sustainability Scheme as Programme Lead, ensuring compliance with academic standards and regulatory requirements. Assisted in introducing novel micro-credentials, showcasing the ability to utilise data and evidence for enhancement-focused decision-making in curriculum development.
• Energy MBA Pathway Creation: Led interdisciplinary collaboration for the creation of an Energy MBA pathway in partnership with UHI Perth College, leveraging diverse expertise to develop a program that addresses the evolving needs of the energy sector.
• New MSc Program for ERI: Currently leading the development of a pioneering taught MSc program for the Environmental Research Institute (ERI), focusing on sustainability and environmental management.
• Applied Software Development BSc and GA Redevelopment: Co-leading and guiding the redevelopment of the Applied Software Development BSc and the corresponding Graduate Apprenticeship (GA), updating the curriculum to reflect current industry practices and technological advancements.

Teaching and Student Support

• Research Supervision: Provided expert supervision to over 20 research students, nurturing their academic growth and research endeavors, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in their respective fields.
• Student Mentorship: Supported the academic journey of more than 100 students by offering tailored advice on study skills and learning strategies, enhancing their educational experience and academic success
• Instructional Material Development: Implemented best training practices and adult learning principles in creating instructional materials, ensuring engaging and effective learning experiences for diverse learner groups.

Strengths

• Academic Quality Assurance and Enhancement: Expertise in implementing and overseeing quality assurance processes, ensuring that educational programs meet high academic standards.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Skilled at fostering collaboration across disciplines, leveraging diverse perspectives to innovate and enhance program offerings.
• Continuing Professional Development: Committed to lifelong learning and professional growth, staying abreast of the latest developments in education and sustainability.

Just Transition Project

Funded by the Scottish Government, this project focused on analyzing skills gaps to facilitate a just transition towards sustainable energy practices.

ROBINSON (Horizon 2020)

Collaborated with 18 partners across 10 European countries on the EU Horizon 2020 project ROBINSON, aiming at the decarbonization of industrialized islands.

Sustainable Aviation & Test Environment (SATE) Project

Participated in the UKRI Phase I Future Flight Challenge competition, collaborating with 10 partners to advance sustainable aviation technologies and test environments.

SATE II (UKRI Future Flight Challenge Phase II)

Continued collaboration with 11 partners in the Phase II Future Flight Challenge through the SATE project, focusing on sustainable aviation solutions.

Hydrogen Utilization and Green Energy (HUGE)

Led a team of 10 partners across 8 countries to deliver the HUGE Interreg project, investigating the utilization of green hydrogen generated from excess renewable energy.

Generating Renewable Energy Business Enterprises (GREBE)

Contributed to the GREBE project, supporting renewable energy business development in peripheral and Arctic regions.

Regional Innovation in the Nordic Arctic and Scotland (REGINA)

Participated in the REGINA project, focusing on regional innovation with a special emphasis on areas hosting large-scale projects in the Nordic Arctic and Scotland.

Circular Ocean

Collaborated with 14 partners across 7 countries to deliver the Circular Ocean Interreg project, promoting the recycling and reuse of marine plastic waste.