Professor Rebecca Willis

Professor in Energy and Climate Governance

Research Overview

I work on environment, climate and energy policy and politics. In particular, I look at the relationship between the citizen and state in climate governance.

Current Research

I run the Climate Citizens project, which examines the role of public enagagement in energy and climate governance, and I hold a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship.

In 2019-2020, I was an Expert Lead to Climate Assembly UK, the first national Citizens' Assembly on Climate Change, established by six parliamentary select committees in the House of Commons. From 2014-18, in a collaboration with Green Alliance, I investigated how politicians understand and respond to climate change.

I am a Trustee of the New Economics Foundation and an adviser to the National Lottery’s Climate Action Fund. From 2015-2019 I was a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of UKRI’s Energy Programme, and from 2011-15 a Council Member of the Natural Environment Research Council. Previously I was Vice-Chair of the UK Sustainable Development Commission, advising the Prime Minister and First Ministers of the devolved administrations.

Career Details

Professor in Energy & Climate Governance, Lancaster University

Research:

UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship: Climate Citizens (in partnership with the Climate Change Committee and the Energy Systems Catapult)

Teaching:

LEC interdisciplinary second-year undergraduate module Energy, Economy & Environment (LEC 282)
LEC interdisciplinary MSc module Climate Change and Society

Research Fellow, Lancaster University (2014-2018)

Research Fellow: Supporting local officers and politicians in three UK cities to implement rapid climate action, 2019-2020
ESRC-funded PhD: How Members of Parliament understand and respond to climate change. CASE Studentship, with Lancaster University and Green Alliance. Awarded October 2018.
Research Associate: NERC-funded project Assessing mitigation deterrence effects of greenhouse gas removal techniques (PI Dr Nils Markusson); responsibility for focus groups and engagement methodologies

Independent consultancy, 2004-2017

Climate Change Leadership Programme, Green Alliance: Founder and manager of this development programme for Members of Parliament. Backed by three main political parties in the UK; worked with over 100 MPs to date
Energy research:
Cultures of Community Energy: Research project for the British Academy (2015-16)
Research and advocacy for Co-operatives UK, including two research publications, profiling the sector and putting forward policy proposals
Research into public and community engagement in energy for private clients including Airvolution (renewable energy developer) and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation (philanthropic funders)Vice-chair of the Government Shared Ownership Taskforce (2014-15)
Research projects for Green Alliance, including publication of Demanding Less (2011); Grid 2.0 (2007); Establishment of Energy Entrepreneurs Network (2002-4)

The Low-carbon Lake District initiative: Advising the Lake District National Park Authority on its strategic response to climate change, including establishment of the UK’s first consumption-based local carbon budget

2004-2011: Vice-Chair, Sustainable Development Commission

The UK Government’s independent advisory body on sustainable development, reporting to the Prime Minister and the First Ministers of the devolved administrations

2001 – 2004: Director, Green Alliance

1998 – 2001: Head of Policy, Green Alliance

1997 - 1998: Policy Adviser, European Parliament, Brussels