I am an Associate Professorial Research Fellow at the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI) at Aston University where I lead the Systems Analysis group and the topic on Bioenergy Systems in the EPSRC/BBSRC Supergen Bioenergy Hub. My research interests focus on bioenergy and related sustainability implications, bioenergy in the context of global challenges and development and the role of bioenergy systems in climate change mitigation including bioenergy with carbon capture and storage/utilisation (BECCS/U).

By training I am an agricultural scientist/agro-sociologist with a focus on SSA countries, rural development and gender studies. I have 12+ years’ experience in bioenergy research, environmental assessment, climate change and socio-economic assessment, with a strong quantitative and qualitative methodological background, incorporating whole systems analysis, life cycle assessment, emission accounting and budgets, environmental and sustainability assessment, stakeholder engagement, interviews and focus groups.

Associate Editor for Bioenergy for WIREs Energy and Environment 

If you instersted in publishing review articles on any bioenergy topics in any relevant discipline, please get in touch.

Guest Editor for Biomass and Bioenergy, Special Issue Development of modern bioenergy approaches in low- and middle-income countries

Research areas

• Bioenergy and bioeconomy
• Sustainability
• Climate change
• Negative emissions
• Bioenergy and Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS)
• Bioenergy in the context of global challenges and development
• Bioenergy and interfaces with forestry and agriculture
• Land use

Skills and methods

• Life cycle assessment
• Emission accounting and carbon budgets
• Environmental and sustainability assessment
• Whole systems approaches
• Stakeholder engagement

• Prince Anthony Okoro: The cost of the transition to a low-carbon future. Economic and socio-economic feasibility of bioenergy in Nigeria (since October 2021)
• Dan Taylor: A political economy approach to sustainable production of bioenergy and bioproducts (since January 2022)

Completed PhDs

• Samira Garcia Freites: Using agricultural residues to support sustainable development: A case study of coffee stems gasification to supply energy demands in rural areas of Colombia https://www.escholar.manchester.ac.uk/uk-ac-man-scw:323470

The Future of Forests In Sub-Saharan Africa (application deadline 31 January 2022)

Are you interested in helping developing countries to tackle climate change? This PhD project will investigate the carbon balances and sustainable biomass use from forests in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).The project is of interest to students who want to work in sustainability, climate change mitigation, renewable energy or forests related topics and engage with people. You will use different research methods, analyse historical data, develop future scenarios and work with external organisations, businesses and policymakers. You will be part of a vibrant interdisciplinary team, collaborating with researchers from different career levels and discovering future employment opportunities and career pathways.

Knowledge and skills required in applicant: Understanding of sustainability (environmental, economic, social), renewable energy (preferably bioenergy), climate change, carbon cycle dynamics. Good numerical skills. Interest in forests, GIS, and modelling. Enthusiasm to work in an interdisciplinary team, work with people outside academia and learn new skills.