Current Research

Indigenous-led Resource Development

From Silos to Systems

My research investigates the critical role of identity in economic and environmental transitions. I focus on understanding how individual and group perspectives inform and are fundamentally shaped by changing environmental and labor relationships, particularly during periods like the global energy transition. My work emphasizes that major shifts in markets and technology are never purely material; they are profoundly influenced by how people perceive their purpose, self-worth, and position in society. This research has thus far prioritized how gender, particularly masculinities, and Indigenous identities shape both resistance to and support for climate policy and sustainable development initiatives.

I use an interdisciplinary approach to connect personal and community identities with large-scale economic systems. Through qualitative and quantitative research methods, my scholarship demonstrates that economic structures—such as those defining resource extraction and labor—are intrinsically linked to identity. My concepts show how attachment to existing economic systems (like fossil fuel industries) is often a powerful defense of community stability and personal identity. Ultimately, my work highlights that designing effective and equitable policy requires a nuanced understanding of these identity dynamics, ensuring that solutions for energy and economic transitions are inclusive and address the practical needs and values of communities.

My scholarship is fundamentally interdisciplinary and informed by a breadth of professional experience across the public and private energy sectors, the mining industry, and public policy. This diverse background allows me to integrate knowledge from both the natural and social sciences, providing a unique perspective on real-world governance and equity challenges. Consequently, I utilize a robust mixed-methods approach—combining quantitative and qualitative sociological techniques—while remaining committed to experimenting with new methods and incorporating critical methodologies across all my research. This ensures my findings are not only academically rigorous but also practically relevant and ethically grounded.