Dr Phillipa Watson is a Senior Research Fellow in the ANU Centre for Energy Systems investigating socio-technical aspects of energy transitions. She investigates social aspects of energy futures in order to identify optimum ways to integrate renewable energy into built environments and society. She has worked in commercial and research roles to facilitate smart, sustainable change for people via the buildings, technologies and energy systems they use, for over 25 years. Phillipa joined our team in 2022. She has extensive experience with applied research and integrates understanding of people, communities, housing, and energy contexts with transitions, design and decision making.

Research interests

Energy futures and energy transitions

Social aspects of societal transitions, social adaptation

Respectful methods

Applied socio-technical and multidisciplinary approaches

Areas of expertise

Social, human geographical research and decision making assessment including in relation to: energy transitions, distributed energy resources, building adaptations, design, technical change, energy efficiency, complex contexts.

Project lead and facilitation of long term complex projects.

Awards and honours

University of Tasmania Women in Leadership course 2019.

CONSORT project awards with Social Science influencing the win:

• Energy Networks Industry Innovation Award November 28, 2018
• Engineering Excellence Award August 10, 2018
• Clean Energy Council’s Community Engagement Award August 6, 2018
• Electric Energy Society of Australia (EESA) Energy Project of the Year April 7, 2018

The Environment Award, Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards: Ricoh Business Centre Hobart Environment Award for Get Bill Smart Project (Mission Australia, Sustainable Living Tasmania, University of Tasmania and RED Sustainability Consultants) 2016.

Doctoral research scholarship, funded by School of Geography, University of Tasmania and Office of Energy, Tasmanian Government 2006.

Marketing Award for Financing and Innovation in Growth (FIG) Course for investigation into commercialisation of research 2005.
 

Service

ANU Centre for Energy Systems (ACES) Leadership team.