Dr Rachel Howell

Lecturer, Sociology/Sustainable Development in the School of Social and Political Science

Rachel Howell is a Lecturer in Sociology/Sustainable Development in the School of Social and Political Science. Her work focusses on human and social dimensions of climate change and energy use. Major themes include climate change framing and communication; lower-carbon practices/lifestyles; pro-environmental behaviour change; and perceptions of, and responses to, unconventional energy, energy demand reduction technologies and energy/climate change-related policies. Rachel is an interdisciplinary environmental social scientist, interested in insights from many relevant disciplines (e.g. sociology, psychology, human geography, behavioural economics, science and technology studies, and environmental education). Her research employs both qualitative and quantitative methods, often in combination. She teaches on the undergraduate MA in Sustainable Development, and has extensive experience of speaking to non-academic audiences, having been involved in public talks, panel debates, and facilitating workshops on climate change and energy for a variety of groups.