Dr Pepa Ambrosio-Albala

Profile

I am a social scientist based at the Sustainability Research Institute in the School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, where I have worked as a Research Fellow since 2016. I have also contributed to research within the School of Process and Chemical Engineering and the Institute for Transport Studies.

My research focuses on the social dimensions of sustainability transitions, with particular attention to energy poverty, climate adaptation, and public engagement with sustainable energy technologies.

Currently, I am Co-Investigator in the JUST Centre, a research initiative exploring low-carbon living across five regions in the North of England, with national reach and significance. Our team works with communities, municipalities, and businesses to understand existing initiatives and co-produce new ones.

My work combines qualitative and quantitative methods to explore how individuals and communities experience energy and environmental challenges. I collaborate across disciplines to develop conceptual frameworks that inform both academic debates and policy-making. I also contribute to research evaluation and policy advising at both national and European levels, supporting efforts to embed social science perspectives into energy and climate strategies.

Supervising postgraduate researchers is a central and rewarding part of my academic role. I aim to create a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment where students can develop their own research interests, methodological skills, and academic confidence. I particularly enjoy working with students on topics that connect social science with real-world sustainability challenges.

Research interests

• My research interests lie in the exploration of public perception and acceptance of new and sustainable energy technologies, with a particular focus on stakeholder engagement and the social dimensions of energy transitions. I am interested in understanding how individuals and communities use energy, their behaviours around energy consumption and storage, and the socio-economic factors contributing to energy vulnerability and poverty.
• Additionally, I investigate climate change risk perception and attitudes towards sustainable behaviours, aiming to uncover the psychological and cultural factors that influence environmental decision-making. Methodologically, my work is grounded in both qualitative and quantitative approaches, often employing mixed methods to capture the complexity of public attitudes and experiences in the energy and climate domains.
• Recently, I have begun exploring new research avenues aligned with the New European Bauhaus (NEB), particularly the integration of sustainability, beauty, and inclusiveness in energy and environmental transitions. I am also keen to discover and apply innovative methodologies that can better capture the relational and aesthetic dimensions of sustainability, and enhance interdisciplinary collaboration and impact.

Qualifications

• PhD, Climate change perception in CBNRM contexts, University of Cordoba (2015)
• Erasmus Mundus MSc, Rural Development, Ghent University/ Wageningen Universiteit (2008)
• BA, Sociology, University of Salamanca (2002)

Student education

I contribute to the School’s teaching primarily through the supervision of postgraduate research, where I support students in developing critical thinking, methodological rigour, and interdisciplinary insight. My approach to supervision is grounded in real-world relevance, inclusive learning, and research-led engagement. I also contribute to teaching on an occasional basis, reflecting my commitment to integrating social science perspectives into sustainability education.

Research groups and institutes

• Energy and Climate Change Mitigation
• Social and Political Dimensions of Sustainability
• Sustainability Research Institute