Meet our researchers
Professor Frank van Veen
Professor of Ecology and Conservation
fjfv201@exeter.ac.uk @frankvanveen2
Overview:
My scientific background is in biology and specifically population and community ecology. Currently, much of my work is focussed on tropical peatlands in Indonesia which in their natural state harbour high biodiversity and store huge quantities of carbon. However, deforestation turns them into major sources of carbon emissions, and they become prone to wildfires with wide-spread health and economic impacts. I lead an interdisciplinary UK/Indonesian consortium that aims to fill natural and social-science knowledge gaps to support Indonesian governmental and non-governmental partners in their aims to restore vast areas of degraded peatland in the context of sustainable economic development.
Professor Richard Cochrane
Associate Professor of Renewable Energy
We are deeply saddened to share the news of the death of Professor Richard Cochrane. Richard was well loved by colleagues and students right across the University, particularly in our Department of Engineering (Renewable Energy), where he was for a time Director of Education. Richard’s passion for renewable energy and for protecting the environment was evident in everything he did. He made great contributions to knowledge exchange in the areas of wind, solar, heat pumps and hydro power. He was an inspirational figure and leaves an enduring environmental legacy. vibrant intelligence, kindness and gracious manner were noted and will be missed by all.
Overview:
An experienced engineer of renewable energy technologies with both broad business and academic experience. My work in the energy sector has encompassed research and development of a range of energy generation technologies and building energy consultancy. Work has ranged from early inception of novel ideas through to full scale international production. I have had a continued interest in research and teaching which has run in parallel with commercial roles.
I am currently an Associate Professor of Renewable Energy at the University of Exeter, which includes teaching about energy systems and research work on wind and tidal turbine design, heat pumps and hydrogen for transport applications.
Dr Tom Powell
A.G. Leventis Foundation Global Systems Institute Impact Fellow
t.powell@exeter.ac.uk @TomPowly
Overview:
As the A.G. Leventis Foundation Research Impact Fellow for the Global Systems Institute, I develop action-oriented research with external partners and contribute to multiple projects with land-use and sustainability themes. My research ranges from global land-use and food-systems modelling, to the potential for ecosystem restoration to build resilient and sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable communities while storing carbon and conserving biodiversity.
Current projects include:
- Analysing landscape-scale impacts of agroforestry by smallholder farmers in East Africa (TIST)
- Helping to develop community-led ecosystem restoration and monitoring in the Lake Chad basin (BIOPALT)
- Remote-sensing tools to support community grazing management in northern Kenya (NRT).
Dr Mi Tian
Lecturer in Low Carbon Engineering
m.tian@exeter.ac.uk @mitianzhang
Overview:
A lecturer in Low Carbon Engineering, my research interest focuses on hydrogen energy, sustainable fabrication of nanoporous composites and neutron scattering characterisation technique. I have discovered the porous material enabled hydrogen densification above its critical points via neutron scattering. I developed the novel composite membrane for the new generation hydrogen storage tank with extra high safety and energy capacity based on this discovery. I was recognised as one of the top 50 Women in Engineering by Women in Engineering Society (WES) in 2020.
Professor Zhongdong Wang
Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean for College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences,
Professor in Electrical Power Engineering
hongdong.wang@exeter.ac.uk 01392 723689
Overview:
I am a Professor of Electrical Power Engineering at the University of Exeter. My research interests lie in Smart Grids and Low Carbon Electrical Energy Networks, in particular thermal, lifetime and reliability modelling of transformers interacting with power system networks, condition monitoring and asset management. My research is extensively sponsored by transmission and distribution network operators, equipment manufacturers and service providers. I am a Fellow of the IET and IEEE.
Professor Tim Lenton
Chair in Climate Change and Earth System Science
t.m.lenton@exeter.ac.uk 01392 724608 @GSI_Exeter
Overview:
My research focuses on understanding the behaviour of the Earth as a whole system, the complex web of biological, geochemical and physical processes that shape the chemical composition of the atmosphere and oceans, as well as the climate of the Earth. I am particularly interested in how life has reshaped the planet in the past and what lessons we can draw from this as we proceed to reshape the planet now. My work identifying Tipping Points in the climate system has led me on to examine Positive Tipping Points within our social systems which could help accelerate progress towards a sustainable future.
Professor Toby Pennington
Professor of Tropical Plant Diversity and Biogeography
t.pennington@exeter.ac.uk @toby_pennington
Overview:
I am a Professor of Physical Geography with specialisms in tropical plant diversity and biogeography. My research and teaching interests are broad, ranging from plant biogeography, to palaeoecology, to conservation. I have worked for more than 20 years in Latin America across 10 countries. In recent years most of my research has focused on biodiversity, biogeography and ecology of dry biomes in the tropics. Much of my work has had clear implications for conservation and livelihoods, and this continues in new projects with focus on agroforestry and ecosystem restoration in some of the world’s most threatened tropical forests and savannas.
Dr Jean-Francois Mercure
Senior Lecturer in Global Systems
j.mercure@exeter.ac.uk @JFMercure
Overview:
I am an innovation scholar, macroeconomist and complexity scientist. My research is on modelling innovation, the macroeconomic impacts of low-carbon innovation and technological change policy, the diffusion of innovations, and modelling the global energy-economy-environment system. I also research climate policy, environmental governance and methods of policy analysis. I coordinate a £4.8M project funded by the UK's department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), with 16 institutions worldwide, developing dynamical models to informing climate policy with governments in India, China, Brazil, the UK and the EU. This involves iterative exchange between scientists/economists and policymakers.