Profiles

Heather Lovell

UTAS Home Prof Heather Lovell

Heather Lovell

Professor of Energy and Society, Social Sciences
Geography, Planning & Spatial Sciences

Room 433 , Social Sciences Building

+61 3 6226 7243 (phone)

Heather.Lovell@utas.edu.au

Professor Heather Lovell holds a joint position in the School of Social Sciences and the School of Geography, Planning & Spatial Sciences at the University of Tasmania. She researches processes of policy and technology change, and has a particular focus on innovation in the energy sector.

Biography

Professor Lovell completed her PhD at Cambridge University in the UK (2005). Before joining the University of Tasmania in 2015, Heather was a Reader (Associate Professor) at Edinburgh University. She previously held posts at Durham and Oxford Universities in the UK, as well as a Research Fellowship in UK Parliament. Prior to commencing her PhD she worked in environmental consultancy.

Heather's research interests include the processes and politics of policy and technology innovation and the geographies of policy experimentation and learning, including the role of narratives and institutional memory. Interdisciplinary work drawing together different strands of academic scholarship is a key feature of her research, including geography, political science, sociology, science and technology studies, computer science and public administration.

Heather has undertaken empirical studies across a number of different topics related to climate change, infrastructure and utilities, including: low energy housing, carbon markets and carbon accounting, district heating, household energy monitoring, environmental sensor technologies, household energy storage, and smart grids.

Recent research projects include: an ARC Future Fellowship called  'Smart Grids Messy Society' (2015-2020) about policy learning from smart grid experiments in Australia; a large interdisciplinary project funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA; 2016-19, $2.9M) on PV and battery storage, and an institutional memory project funded by the Australian and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG; 2015-18, $64,842).

Drawing on theories of policy and technology change from across a number of disciplines, Professor Lovell's research in Australia has focused on the energy sector. With her background in the discipline of Human Geography, Professor Lovell seeks to better understand the geographies of energy experimentation and learning. Her ARC Future Fellowship investigated the impact of key Australian smart grid trials and programmes on policy and practice – including the Federal Government's $100 million-dollar Smart Grid Smart City project (2010-14) and the Victorian government's mandatory Advanced Metering Infrastructure program (2009-13).

Career summary

Qualifications

DegreeTitle of ThesisUniversityCountryAwarded
PhDThe governance of emerging socio-technical systems: the case of low energy housing in the UKUniversity of 
Cambridge
United Kingdom2005
MScEnvironmental Change and ManagementOxford UniversityUnited Kingdom1998
BA(Hons)GeographyUniversity of CambridgeUnited Kingdom1997

Memberships

Professional practice

  • Institute of Australian Geographers
  • Royal Geographical Society-Institute of British Geographers (UK)

Administrative expertise

  • Deputy Chair, UTAS Sustainability Committee (2021-present)
  • Interdisciplinary Research Lead and Associate Head-Research, School of Technology, Environments and Design (2018-19)
  • Founder and Co-Director of university-wide energy research group Future Energy (2017-2021)
  • Research Co-ordinator, School of Social Sciences, UTAS (2016)
  • University Research Themes Working Group (2016)
  • University Research Committee Member, UTAS (2015-16)
  • Head of Environment and Society Research Group, University of Edinburgh (2013-15)

Teaching

Environmental change and sustainability, Energy policy and politics, Sociotechnical transitions, Theory and processes of innovation, Carbon markets, Carbon accounting, Environmental markets

Teaching expertise

Heather has teaching expertise and capabilities in: Energy policy and politics, Energy and Society, Interdisciplinary energy studies, Environmental change and sustainability, Economic Geography, Sociotechnical transitions, Theory and processes of innovation, Environmental markets.

Teaching responsibility

View more on Professor Heather Lovell in WARP

Expertise

  • Geographies of innovation and experimentation
  • Energy and society
  • Policy change
  • Policy transfer and policy mobilities
  • New energy technologies and household responses
  • Off-grid households
  • Socio-technical transitions
  • Institutional memory, governance and innovation
  • Environmental policy and politics

Collaboration

Through her current projects Heather is involved in research collaborations with the Western Australian utility Synergy, as well as the Tasmanian government. Previous collaborations in the Australia have been with TasNetworks, Aurora and Hydro Tasmania. Heather has strong linkages with the UK, in particular with Edinburgh University (School of GeoSciences, School of Informatics and School of Social and Political Sciences), where she was previously based. International grants with UK academics have partnered with a range of academic, government and industry organisations including the University of Durham, the UK Tyndall Centre, Edinburgh City Council, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the International Emissions Trading Association, and the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants.

Awards

  • New Career Development Fellowship from the UK Nuffield Foundation (awarded 2008) to investigate carbon markets & carbon accounting, one of only 3 Fellowships awarded across all UK social sciences each year;
  • ARC Future Fellowship (awarded 2014), one of only 28 given to international scholars, across all disciplines.
  • Several research awards for the interdisciplinary energy research project ‘CONSORT’, funded by ARENA (2016-19) including the Clean Energy Council Community Engagement Award (2018), Engineers Australia Tasmanian Engineering Excellence Award (2018), and Energy Networks Australia Industry Innovation Award (2018);
  • Lead paper (2012; co-authored with Ascui, F.) in a prize winning Special Issue of the Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal - Emerald Publishing 2012 Outstanding Special Issue Award.
  • Paper (2009; co-authored with Owens, SE. and Bulkeley, H.) selected as ‘Editor’s Choice’ in the journal Environment and Planning C

Current projects

  • 2021-24 Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery grant How do Changes in Institutional Memory Affect Public Policy Processes?, led by Dr Alistair Stark at University of Queensland, $263,000
  • 2021-23 Project Symphony, with Synergy and Western Power (WA), led by Dr Phillipa Watson, UTAS, $249,905
  • 2022-24 Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage grant Sustainable Hydrogen Certification: A Multistakeholder Governance Approach, led by Prof Fred Gale, UTAS, $242,783

Fields of Research

  • Sociology and social studies of science and technology (441007)
  • Australian government and politics (440801)
  • Other built environment and design (339999)

Research Objectives

  • Residential construction processes (120505)
  • Environmental policy, legislation and standards (190299)
  • Institutional arrangements (190206)

Publications

Heather has published just under 40 international journal papers since 2004 (working part time with 3 career breaks), as well as 3 books and 8 book chapters. She has published in lead journals across a number of social science disciplines including Human Geography (e.g. PiHG, Antipode, Geoforum, Transactions), political science (Governance, Public Administration; Global Environmental Politics), accountancy (AAAJ), and sociology (Economy & Society).

Total publications

75

Highlighted publications

(3 outputs)
YearTypeCitationAltmetrics
2015BookLovell HC, 'The Making of Low Carbon Economies', Routledge, United Kingdom, pp. 286. ISBN 978-0-415-72471-5 (2015) [Authored Research Book]

[eCite] [Details]

2009Journal ArticleLovell HC, Bulkeley HA, Liverman D, 'Carbon offsetting: Sustaining consumption?', Environment and Planning A: International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 41, (10) pp. 2357-2379. ISSN 0308-518X (2009) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1068/a40345 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 111Web of Science - 95

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2009Journal ArticleLovell HC, Bulkeley HA, Owens SE, 'Converging agendas? Energy and climate change policies in the UK', Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 27, (1) pp. 90-109. ISSN 0263-774X (2009) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1068/c0797j [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 104Web of Science - 83

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Journal Article

(40 outputs)
YearCitationAltmetrics
2021Chapman A, Fraser A, Jones L, Lovell H, Scott P, et al., 'Network congestion management: experiences from Bruny Island using residential batteries', IEEE Power & Energy Magazine, (July/august 2021) pp. 41-51. ISSN 1540-7977 (2021) [Professional, Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1109/MPE.2021.3072818 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 3Web of Science - 3

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2021Emodi NV, Lovell HC, Levitt CJ, Franklin Evan, 'A systematic literature review of societal acceptance and stakeholders' perception of hydrogen technologies', International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 46, (60) pp. 30669-30697. ISSN 0360-3199 (2021) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.06.212 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 26Web of Science - 21

Co-authors: Emodi NV; Levitt CJ; Franklin Evan

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2021Pullinger M, Kilgour J, Goddard N, Berliner N, Webb L, et al., 'The IDEAL household energy dataset, electricity, gas, contextual sensor data and survey data for 255 UK homes', Scientific Data, 8 Article 146. ISSN 2052-4463 (2021) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1038/s41597-021-00921-y [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 16Web of Science - 12

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2020Lovell H, Powells G, 'Smart grid knowledges and the state', Area, 52, (3) pp. 583-590. ISSN 0004-0894 (2020) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1111/area.12613 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 3Web of Science - 2

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2020Ransan-Cooper H, Lovell HC, Watson P, Harwood A, Hann V, 'Frustration, confusion and excitement: mixed emotional responses to new household solar-battery systems in Australia', Energy Research and Social Science, 70 Article 101656. ISSN 2214-6296 (2020) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1016/j.erss.2020.101656 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 20Web of Science - 19

Co-authors: Watson P; Harwood A; Hann V

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2019Lovell H, 'Policy failure mobilities', Progress in Human Geography, 43, (1) pp. 46-63. ISSN 0309-1325 (2019) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1177/0309132517734074 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 45Web of Science - 37

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2019Lovell H, 'The promise of smart grids', Local Environment: the international journal of justice and sustainability, 24, (7) pp. 580-594. ISSN 1354-9839 (2019) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1080/13549839.2017.1422117 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 9Web of Science - 9

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2019Lovell H, 'The absences in climate's human geographies', Dialogues in Human Geography, 9, (1) pp. 26-28. ISSN 2043-8206 (2019) [Contribution to Refereed Journal]

DOI: 10.1177/2043820619829931 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 3Web of Science - 3

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2019Lovell H, Watson P, 'Scarce data: off-grid households in Australia', Energy Policy, 129 pp. 502-510. ISSN 0301-4215 (2019) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2019.02.014 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 5Web of Science - 3

Co-authors: Watson P

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2018Ascui F, Haward M, Lovell H, 'Salmon, sensors, and translation: The agency of Big Data in environmental governance', Environment and Planning D: Society and Space, 36, (5) pp. 905-925. ISSN 0263-7758 (2018) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1177/0263775818766892 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 19Web of Science - 18

Co-authors: Ascui F; Haward M

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2018Betzold A, Carew AL, Lewis GK, Lovell H, 'The emergence, articulation and negotiation of a new food industry initiative in rural Australia: Boundary object, organisation or Triple Helix model?', Sociologia Ruralis, 58, (4) pp. 867-885. ISSN 0038-0199 (2018) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1111/soru.12211 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 5Web of Science - 6

Co-authors: Betzold A; Lewis GK

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2018Corbett J, Grube DC, Lovell H, Scott R, 'Singular memory or institutional memories? toward a dynamic approach', Governance, 31, (3) pp. 555-573. ISSN 0952-1895 (2018) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1111/gove.12340 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 11Web of Science - 11

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2018Lovell H, Hann V, Watson P, 'Rural laboratories and experiment at the fringes: case study of a smart grid on Bruny Island, Australia', Energy Research & Social Science, 36 pp. 146-155. ISSN 2214-6296 (2018) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1016/j.erss.2017.09.031 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 17Web of Science - 14

Co-authors: Hann V; Watson P

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2017Gale F, Ascui F, Lovell H, 'Sensing reality? New monitoring technologies for global sustainability standards', Global environmental politics, 17, (2) pp. 65-83. ISSN 1526-3800 (2017) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1162/GLEP_a_00401 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 25Web of Science - 24

Co-authors: Gale F; Ascui F

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2017Lovell H, 'Are policy failures mobile? An investigation of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Program in the State of Victoria, Australia', Environment and Planning A, 49, (2) pp. 314-331. ISSN 0308-518X (2017) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1177/0308518X16668170 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 24Web of Science - 21

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2017Lovell H, 'Mobile policies and policy streams: the case of smart metering policy in Australia', Geoforum, 81 pp. 100-108. ISSN 0016-7185 (2017) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1016/j.geoforum.2017.02.011 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 14Web of Science - 12

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2017Lovell H, Pullinger M, Webb J, 'How do meters mediate? Energy meters, boundary objects and household transitions in Australia and the United Kingdom', Energy Research & Social Science, 34 pp. 252-259. ISSN 2214-6296 (2017) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1016/j.erss.2017.07.001 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 7Web of Science - 7

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2016Lovell H, 'The role of International policy transfer within the multiple streams approach: the case of smart electricity metering in Australia', Public Administration, 93, (3) pp. 754-768. ISSN 0033-3298 (2016) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1111/padm.12259 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 20Web of Science - 24

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2015Lovell HC, 'The multiple communities of low carbon transition: an assessment of communities involved in forest carbon measurement', Local Environment: The International Journal of Justice and Sustainability, 20, (11) pp. 1363-1382. ISSN 1469-6711 (2015) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1080/13549839.2014.905515 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 10Web of Science - 8

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2014Lovell HC, 'Climate change, markets and standards: the case of financial accounting', Economy and Society, 43, (2) pp. 260-284. ISSN 0308-5147 (2014) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1080/03085147.2013.812830 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 27Web of Science - 25

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2014Pullinger M, Lovell H, Webb J, 'Influencing household energy practices: a critical review of UK smart metering standards and commercial feedback devices', Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 26, (10) pp. 1144-1162. ISSN 0953-7325 (2014) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1080/09537325.2014.977245 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 31Web of Science - 28

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2013Lovell HC, Bebbington J, Larrinaga C, Sales de Aguiar TR, 'Putting carbon markets into practice: a case study of financial accounting in Europe', Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 31, (4) pp. 741-757. ISSN 0263-774X (2013) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1068/c1275 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 36Web of Science - 23

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2013Lovell HC, Ghaleigh N-S, 'Climate Change and the Professions: the unexpected places and spaces of carbon markets', Transactions - Institute of British Geographers, 38, (3) pp. 512-516. ISSN 0020-2754 (2013) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1111/tran.12021 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 15Web of Science - 9

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2012Ascui F, Lovell HC, 'Carbon accounting and the construction of competence', Journal of Cleaner Production, 36 pp. 48-59. ISSN 0959-6526 (2012) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2011.12.015 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 54Web of Science - 44

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2012Leggett M, Lovell HC, 'Community perceptions of REDD+: a case study from Papua New Guinea', Climate Policy, 12, (1) pp. 115-134. ISSN 1469-3062 (2012) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1080/14693062.2011.579317 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 53Web of Science - 53

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2012Schroeder H, Lovell HC, 'The role of non-nation-state actors and side events in the international climate negotiations', Climate Policy, 12, (1) pp. 23-37. ISSN 1469-3062 (2012) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1080/14693062.2011.579328 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 90Web of Science - 89

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2011Ascui F, Lovell HC, 'As frames collide: Making sense of carbon accounting', Accounting, Auditing and Accountability, 24, (8) pp. 978-999. ISSN 0951-3574 (2011) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1108/09513571111184724 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 109Web of Science - 88

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2011Lovell HC, MacKenzie D, 'Accounting for Carbon: The Role of Accounting Professional Organisations in Governing Climate Change', Antipode: a radical journal of geography, 43, (3) pp. 704-730. ISSN 0066-4812 (2011) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8330.2011.00883.x [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 118Web of Science - 107

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2010Lovell H, Smith SJ, 'Agencement in housing markets: The case of the UK construction industry', Geoforum, 41, (3) pp. 457-468. ISSN 0016-7185 (2010) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1016/j.geoforum.2009.11.015 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 95Web of Science - 70

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2010Lovell HC, 'Governing the carbon offset market', Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, 1, (3) pp. 353-362. ISSN 1757-7780 (2010) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1002/wcc.43 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 55Web of Science - 46

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2010Lovell HC, Liverman D, 'Understanding carbon offset technologies', New Political Economy, 15, (2) pp. 255-273. ISSN 1356-3467 (2010) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1080/13563460903548699 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 105Web of Science - 90

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2010Lovell HC, Schroeder H, 'Carbon Standards and non nation-state actors', Exploration & Production. The Oil and Gas Review, 8, (1) pp. 14-15. ISSN 1754-288X (2010) [Professional, Non Refereed Article]

[eCite] [Details]

2009Lovell HC, 'The role of individuals in policy change: the case of UK low-energy housing', Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 27, (3) pp. 491-511. ISSN 0263-774X (2009) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1068/c0878j [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 49Web of Science - 48

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2009Lovell HC, Bulkeley HA, Liverman D, 'Carbon offsetting: Sustaining consumption?', Environment and Planning A: International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 41, (10) pp. 2357-2379. ISSN 0308-518X (2009) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1068/a40345 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 111Web of Science - 95

Tweet

2009Lovell HC, Bulkeley HA, Owens SE, 'Converging agendas? Energy and climate change policies in the UK', Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 27, (1) pp. 90-109. ISSN 0263-774X (2009) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1068/c0797j [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 104Web of Science - 83

Tweet

2008Lovell HC, 'Discourse and innovation journeys: the case of low energy housing in the UK', Technology Analysis and Strategic Management, 20, (5) pp. 613-632. ISSN 0953-7325 (2008) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1080/09537320802292883 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 45Web of Science - 43

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2007Lovell HC, 'The governance of innovation in socio-technical systems: The difficulties of strategic niche management in practice', Science and Public Policy, 34, (1) pp. 35-44. ISSN 0302-3427 (2007) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.3152/030234207X190540 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 62

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2007Lovell HC, 'Exploring the role of materials in policy change: innovation in low-energy housing in the UK', Environment and Planning A: International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 39, (10) pp. 2500-2517. ISSN 0308-518X (2007) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1068/a38408 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 37Web of Science - 28

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2005Lovell HC, 'Supply and Demand for Low Energy Housing in the UK: Insights from a Science and Technology Studies Approach', Housing Studies, 20, (5) pp. 815-829. ISSN 0267-3037 (2005) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1080/02673030500214118 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 59Web of Science - 45

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2004Lovell HC, 'Framing sustainable housing as a solution to climate change', Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, 6, (1) pp. 35-55. ISSN 1523-908X (2004) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1080/1523908042000259677 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 85

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Book

(4 outputs)
YearCitationAltmetrics
2022Lovell HC, 'Understanding Energy Innovation: Learning from Smart grid Experiments', Springer, Singapore, pp. 1-98. ISBN 9789811662539 (2022) [Authored Research Book]

DOI: 10.1007/978-981-16-6253-9 [eCite] [Details]

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2020Corbett J, Grube DC, Lovell H, Scott RJ, 'Institutional Memory as Storytelling: How Networked Government Remembers', Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom, pp. 78. ISBN 978-1-108-74800-1 (2020) [Authored Research Book]

DOI: 10.1017/9781108780001 [eCite] [Details]

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2016Hawkey D, Webb J, Lovell H, McCrone D, Tingey M, et al., 'Sustainable Urban Energy Policy: Heat and the City', Routledge, United Kingdom, pp. 246. ISBN 9781138826120 (2016) [Authored Research Book]

[eCite] [Details]

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2015Lovell HC, 'The Making of Low Carbon Economies', Routledge, United Kingdom, pp. 286. ISBN 978-0-415-72471-5 (2015) [Authored Research Book]

[eCite] [Details]

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Chapter in Book

(10 outputs)
YearCitationAltmetrics
2021Lovell H, 'Mobile markets for meters: the connections between new electricity metering markets in New Zealand and Australia', Markets in Their Place : Context, Culture, Finance, Routledge, R Prince, M Henry, C Morris, A Gallagher and S FitzHerbert (ed), United Kingdom, pp. 165-178. ISBN 978-1-032-04195-7 (2021) [Research Book Chapter]

DOI: 10.4324/9780429296260-9 [eCite] [Details]

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2021Lovell HC, 'Making Energy Futures at the Edge of the Grid: Smart Energy Innovation in Rural Communities', Research Handbook on Energy and Society, Edward Elgar Publishing, J Webb, F Wade and M Tingey (ed), Cheltenham, UK, pp. 328-339. ISBN 9781839100703 (2021) [Research Book Chapter]

DOI: 10.4337/9781839100710.00035 [eCite] [Details]

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2018Lovell H, Corbett J, 'What makes a zero carbon home zero carbon?', Narrative Policy Analysis: Cases in Decentred Policy, Palgrave Macmillan, RAW Rhodes (ed), United Kingdom, pp. 47-70. ISBN 978-3-319-76635-5 (2018) [Research Book Chapter]

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-76635-5_3 [eCite] [Details]

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2015Lovell H, 'Low-carbon economies', Research Handbook on Climate Governance, Edward Elgar Publishing, Backstrand, K. and Lovbrand, E (ed), United Kingdom, pp. 356-365. ISBN 9781783470594 (2015) [Research Book Chapter]

DOI: 10.4337/9781783470600.00043 [eCite] [Details]

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2015Lovell HC, Mac Kenzie D, 'Allometric equations and timber markets: an important forerunner of REDD+?', The Politics of Carbon Markets, Routledge, Benjamin Stephan, Richard Lane (ed), United Kingdom, pp. 69-90. ISBN 978-0-415-70713-8 (2015) [Research Book Chapter]

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2013Lovell HC, 'Measuring Forest Carbon', Governing the Climate: New approaches to rationality, power and politics, Cambridge University Press, Johannes Stripple and Harriet Bulkeley (ed), United Kingdom, pp. 175-196. ISBN 9781107046269 (2013) [Research Book Chapter]

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2012Brown ME, Escobar VM, Lovell HC, 'Communicating the Needs of Climate Change Policy Makers to Scientists', Human and Social Dimensions of Climate Change, InTech, Netra Chhetri (ed), Croatia, pp. 49-62. ISBN 9789535108474 (2012) [Research Book Chapter]

DOI: 10.5772/3242 [eCite] [Details]

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2012Lovell HC, 'Eco-communities', International Encyclopedia of Housing and Home, Elsevier, Susan J. Smith (ed), Spain, pp. 1-5. ISBN 978-0-08-047171-6 (2012) [Other Book Chapter]

DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-08-047163-1.09003-2 [eCite] [Details]

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2012Lovell HC, MacKenzie D, 'Accounting for Carbon: The Role of Accounting Professional Organisations in Governing Climate Change', The New Carbon Economy: Constitution, Governance and Contestation, Wiley-Blackwell, Peter Newell, Max Boykoff, Emily Boyd (ed), UK, pp. 107-134. ISBN 9781444350227 (2012) [Research Book Chapter]

DOI: 10.1002/9781118315835.ch6 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 2

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2008Lovell HC, 'Evolution of policy and practice in low-energy housing', Housing, the Environment and our Changing Climate, Chartered Institute of Housing, Christoph Sinn and John Perry (ed), United Kingdom, pp. 77-98. ISBN 9781905018604 (2008) [Research Book Chapter]

[eCite] [Details]

Review

(1 outputs)
YearCitationAltmetrics
2008Lovell HC, 'Beyond the carbon economy: energy law in transition', Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 51, (6) pp. 872-873. ISSN 0964-0568 (2008) [Review Single Work]

DOI: 10.1080/09640560802423913 [eCite] [Details]

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Conference Publication

(11 outputs)
YearCitationAltmetrics
2020Nath S, Dewsbury M, Watson P, Lovell H, Kunzel H, 'A bio-hygrothermal mould growth analysis of typical Australian residential wall systems', Proceedings of the 54th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association (ANZAScA), 26-27 November 2020, Auckland, New Zealand, pp. 1-11. ISBN 9780992383572 (2020) [Refereed Conference Paper]

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Co-authors: Nath S; Dewsbury M; Watson P

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2019Nath S, Dewsbury M, Watson P, Lovell HC, 'Are condensation and mould problems in Australian homes arising from the Australian building regulations?', Building Physics Forum Programme, 23-24 October 2019, Melbourne (2019) [Non Refereed Conference Paper]

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Co-authors: Nath S; Dewsbury M; Watson P

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2016Lovell HC, 'The promise of smart grids', American Association of Geographers Annual Conference, March 29th-April 2nd, San Francisco, pp. 1. (2016) [Non Refereed Conference Paper]

[eCite] [Details]

2016Lovell HC, Powells G, 'Energy feedback: Place, Policy and Mobility', Energy Feedback Symposium, 4th-5th July, Edinburgh (2016) [Non Refereed Conference Paper]

[eCite] [Details]

2015Lovell HC, 'The Making of Low Carbon Economies', Australasian Housing Researchers Conference, 18-20 February, Hobart, pp. 1. (2015) [Non Refereed Conference Paper]

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2015Lovell HC, 'Policy mobilities: the case of smart meters in Australia', The Institute of Australian Geographers Annual Conference, 1-3 July, Canberra, pp. 1. (2015) [Non Refereed Conference Paper]

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2015Lovell HC, 'What we know about households who are already off-grid', Australian Utility Week Conference, 24th-25th November, Sydney, pp. 1. (2015) [Non Refereed Conference Paper]

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2014Lovell HC, 'The making of a zero carbon home', Devices and Desires: the Cultural Politics of a Low Carbon Society, 21 to 23 May 2014, Lund, Sweden, pp. 1. (2014) [Conference Extract]

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2014Lovell HC, 'The making of low carbon economies', AC conference 2014, 26-29 August 2014, United Kingdom, pp. 1. (2014) [Non Refereed Conference Paper]

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2014Lovell HC, Webb J, Hawkey D, Tingey M, Scott-Mearns N, 'The changing narratives of district heating in the UK: a case study of the city of Edinburgh', AC conference 2014, 26-29 August 2014, United Kingdom, pp. 1. (2014) [Non Refereed Conference Paper]

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2013Lovell HC, 'New district heating in Edinburgh and Glasgow: origins and outcomes', Energy Vulnerabilities, 21 to 23 May 2013, Manchester, UK, pp. 1. (2013) [Non Refereed Conference Paper]

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Contract Report, Consultant's Report

(3 outputs)
YearCitationAltmetrics
2016Lovell H, Watson P, 'TasNetworks Tariff Trial Method Review - Phase One', TasNetworks, Australia (2016) [Consultants Report]

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Co-authors: Watson P

2016Lovell H, Watson Phillipa, 'Tariff Trial Survey Design', TasNetworks, Tasmania (2016) [Consultants Report]

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Co-authors: Watson Phillipa

2010Lovell HC, Sales de Aguiar T, Bebbington J, Larringa-Gonzalez C, 'Accounting for Carbon', ACCA and IETA, online (2010) [Contract Report]

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Other Public Output

(6 outputs)
YearCitationAltmetrics
2020Abdussamie N, Ascui F, Byrne J, Eccleston R, Forster C, et al., 'Tasmania's Renewable Energy Future - Submission to the Draft Tasmanian Renewable Energy Action Plan to the Tasmanian State Government', Tasmanian Policy Exchange, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, pp. 1-85. (2020) [Government or Industry Research]

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Co-authors: Abdussamie N; Ascui F; Byrne J; Eccleston R; Forster C; Franklin E; Fyfe M; Gale F; Gales O; Garaniya V; Hann V; Harrison M; Hemer M; Hyslop S; MacFarlane G; Nader J-R; Parr B; Penesis I; Peterson C; Smith M; Stratford E; Watson P; White MW

2019Brent K, Gale F, Lovell H, McGee J, Peck P, 'Briefing Paper: Exploring Renewable Hydrogen for Tasmania', The University of Tasmania, Tasmania, December, pp. 1-5. (2019) [Report Other]

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Co-authors: Brent K; Gale F; McGee J

2019Thiebaux S, Chapman A, Franklin E, Fraser A, Gordon D, et al., 'CONSORT Bruny Island Battery Trial: Project Final Report - Project Results and Lessons Learnt', Australian National University, The University of Sydney, University of Tasmania, Reposit Power and TasNetworks, Hobart, Tasmania (2019) [Government or Industry Research]

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Co-authors: Franklin E; Hann V; Harwood A; Watson P

2019Watson P, Lovell H, Ransan-Cooper H, Hann V, Harwood A, 'CONSORT Bruny Island Battery Trial: Project Final Report - Social Science', Australian National University, The University of Sydney, University of Tasmania, Reposit Power and TasNetworks, Hobart, Tasmania, April (2019) [Government or Industry Research]

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Co-authors: Watson P; Hann V; Harwood A

2016Evar B, Lovell H, 'Energy Productivity: A Review of Scottish Government Activities and International Practices', Scottish Government, Scotland, pp. 1-65. (2016) [Government or Industry Research]

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2016Watson P, Lovell H, 'TasNetworks Tariff Trial Recruitment Strategies Review', TasNetworks, Tasmania, pp. 1-21. (2016) [Government or Industry Research]

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Co-authors: Watson P

Grants & Funding

Since moving to Australia in 2015 Professor Lovell has worked on nine externally-funded research projects covering the topics of smart grids (ARC, ARENA, TasNetworks), green hydrogen (TasNetworks, Aurora, TasHydro, Tasmanian government), environmental technologies and markets (Sense T, UTAS Cross-Disciplinary Incentive Grant) and leadership in government (ANZSOG). The projects are linked by a common conceptual interest in understanding processes of innovation and change. Current research includes two ARC projects - one examining institutional memory in government, and another on green hydrogen certification – as well as an industry project working with Western Australian utilities on new smart grid implementation.

Funding Summary

Number of grants

16

Total funding

$15,407,771

Projects

ARC College of Experts 2023: Professor Heather Lovell (2023 - 2025)$15,000
Funding
Australian Research Council ($15,000)
Scheme
Contract Research
Administered By
University of Tasmania
Research Team
Lovell HC
Period
2023 - 2025
Sustainable Hydrogen Certification: A Multistakeholder Governance Approach (2021 - 2024)$362,783
Description
The project aims to assist policy analysts to devise a sustainable certification scheme for hydrogen that meetsmultistakeholder requirements. Its significance lies in challenging a techno-economic mindset focusing only on thefuel's carbon intensity within a production plant. Taking a comparative historical approach, and incorporating theviews of energy experts and stakeholders, the expected outcome is options for a new sustainable certificationscheme that addresses all technical, economic, social, environmental and governance requirements. The benefitsto Australia are a 'gold standard' sustainable certification scheme that assures the country's competitiveness inexport markets and influence in global certification negotiations.
Funding
Australian Research Council ($242,783)
Scheme
Grant-Linkage Projects
Administered By
University of Tasmania
Research Team
Gale F; Lovell HC; Murphy HL; Byrne T
Period
2021 - 2024
Grant Reference
LP200301578
How do Changes in Institutional Memory Affect Public Policy Processes? (2021 - 2023)$263,000
Description
This is a political science project investigating institutional memory in Australia and the UK. The project will analyse how changes in institutional memory inside government impact on the effectiveness of public policy processes. Institutional memory changes as ministers, public servants and public agencies come and go, but we don't know what effect these changes have over the quality of public policy. This project will therefore analyse how changes to institutional memory have influenced public services and policies in Australia and the UK. Expected outcomes include best practice recommendations for government - about how to address memory loss to improve public policy - and novel academic findings about how institutional memory influences the character of public service delivery, lesson-learning and long-term reform.
Funding
Australian Research Council ($263,000)
Scheme
Grant-Discovery Projects
Administered By
University of Tasmania
Research Team
Stark A; Corbett J; Lovell HC; Grube DC
Period
2021 - 2023
Grant Reference
DP210100149
Project Symphony (2020 - 2023)$9,500,000
Description
With a consortium of industry, government and research organisations, Project Symphony will trial a large-scale distributed energy resource (DER) orchestration 'solution' on an arm of the West Australia suburban electricity supply network. Project Symphony is planned to run over 2.5 years (July 2020 to January 2023). The DER orchestration solution will be made up of a suite of technologies and operational systems that will be applied either through aggregators, the network, or customers' (mostly householders') behind-the-meter DER technologies.The trial needs to solve both technical electrical supply orchestration challenges and to engage with related social challenges, in particular, technical solutions must be as affordable, equitable and inclusive as possible for West Australia electricity customers. UTAS are coordinating a customer/social research team that includes UTAS, ANU and UTS social research and marketing academics. UTAS researchers will be working with Synergy's (the West Australia government owned electricity retailer) Customer Insights team to investigate customer equity and related pricing issues, important policy requirements for scaling the technology and related aggregator (DER retailers) relationships in the project. (UTS staff are supported via their own budget.)Organisations involved in the consortium are:- Western Power - West Australia's electricity network utility - as project lead- Synergy - West Australia's government retailer - as customer response lead- the Australian Electricity Market Operator (AEMO) - due to the project's national significance- Energy Policy WA - supporting this project because it aligns with WA's Energy Roadmap- Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF), UTS - as lead research institution- University of Western Australia (UWA) - involved in orchestration technology research- Monash University - involved in pricing constraints and related technical research- The University of Tasmania (UTAS) - involved in customer related research.Overall Project Symphony description from the draft application:'Project Symphony is a two and a half year project that will build DER industry capability by progressively building and testing the core elements needed to optimally integrate DER into systems and markets for the benefit of all customers. Specifically, the objectives of Project Symphony are to:- Identify and test DER use cases.- Develop pilot versions of the platforms and integration needed to operationalise DER integration.- Prepare a cost benefit analysis, supported by learnings from the project, that articulates the overall costs and benefits of various options to integrate DER.- Ensure customers are brought along for the journey- Establish parent aggregator to enable greater customer DER engagement with third party aggregator interface- Inform the development of policy, market design and regulatory reform.' (page iv)
Funding
Australian Renewable Energy Agency ($9,500,000)
Scheme
Grant-Advancing Renewables Programme
Administered By
Synergy
Research Team
Lee B; Sambrooks R; Watson P; Lovell HC; Grimmer EL; Grimmer MR; Ransan-Cooper H; Nagrath K; Alexander D
Period
2020 - 2023
APR Internship - Anthony Broese van Groenou (2019)$14,500
Description
This project is a PhD internship as part of the APR Intern program. The project is focused on understanding the attitudes to and drivers for the uptake of electric vehicles in Tasmania, including investigation into likely EV usage and charging behaviour. The project is being undertaken by the PhD student Anthony Broese van Groenou between July and October 2019, and is supported jointly by TasNetworks, RACT and the Tasmanian Climate Change Office.
Funding
Australian Institute of Mathematics & Science Pty Ltd ($14,500)
Scheme
APR Intern
Administered By
University of Tasmania
Research Team
Franklin ET; Lovell HC; Fraser A; Oakley W; Muller S
Year
2019
Did Energy Market Reforms Promote Energy Security? A Global Empirical Assessment (2019)$6,217
Description
Power markets have been liberalised and some are undergoing liberalisation globally to achieve the energy policy goals of energy security, environmental sustainability and affordability. The actual linkages between energy markets liberalisation and energy security, however, remains to be quantified. The aim of this project is to examine the global relationship between energy markets liberalization and energy security captured through the channels of access to electricity or national electrification levels. The rationale lies in its scope to guide evidence-based energy policymaking towards promoting energy security based on the econometric assessment on the linkages between energy markets liberalisation and energy security. To achieve this rationale, panel-data econometrics is employed on a large-scale dataset. The outcome of this project is significant as achieving universal access to electricity by 2030 is one of the key sustainable development policy goals. The impacts of varied power markets structures and regulation on energy security is explored.
Funding
University of Tasmania ($6,217)
Scheme
Grant-Strategic Research
Administered By
University of Tasmania
Research Team
Nepal R; Lovell HC
Year
2019
AHURI Postgraduate Scholarship Top-up - Anthony Broese van Groenou (2018 - 2020)$21,000
Description
The project explores the role of householders in energy transitions, and ever increasing pressures of energy affordability in household economics.
Funding
Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute ($21,000)
Scheme
Scholarship-Top-Up
Administered By
University of Tasmania
Research Team
Jacobs KA; Lovell HC
Period
2018 - 2020
Sustainable Retail Living Lab (2018)$8,840
Funding
University of Tasmania ($8,840)
Scheme
Grant-ERS Research Theme
Administered By
University of Tasmania
Research Team
Mate KJH; Grimmer EL; Grimmer MR; Lovell HC
Year
2018
Decision making of Australian households at the end of their Solar Feed in Tariff (2017)$6,202
Description
This project will set up the feasibility of an investigation into the impact on basic household economics and decision making of the cessation of generous Feed-in-Tariffs (FiT) for electricity generated from residential solar photovoltaics. The investigation will help us understand the future of energy generation and consumption in Australia.
Funding
University of Tasmania ($6,202)
Scheme
Grant-CAL Hothouse Research Enhancement Program
Administered By
University of Tasmania
Research Team
Lovell HC
Year
2017
Tariff Trial, Phase One (2016)$7,787
Description
Review of tariff trial approach, sample size and overall trial method robustness (Phase One). 1. A review of the 600 household sample size, including discussion of its main opportunities/advantages and limitations. 2. A brief review of up to 10 other publically available tariff trials in Australia, including gathering data on sample size, location, and other key methodological characteristics. This is to benchmark the proposed Tasmania tariff trial, providing comparison of the sample size and experimental design against other similar trials completed within the Australian electricity market. 3. Methodological review of the experimental design. 4. Highlighting of any significant problems with the experimental design ('show stoppers') in the methodological review. 5. Suggestion of modifications that could be made to the experimental design to ensure robustness, and of any further activities or approaches that will encourage robustness. This consultancy involves advising on the research approach being only. We are not involved in data collection or analysis.
Funding
Tasmanian Networks Pty Ltd ($7,787)
Scheme
Consultancy
Administered By
University of Tasmania
Research Team
Lovell HC; Watson P
Year
2016
Tariff Trial (2016 - 2017)$15,520
Description
UTAS will be assisting TasNetworks to develop a survey tool for the Tariff Trail. UTAS will do this by a) running a workshop to develop survey topics, and b) drafting survey questions for review by TasNetworks. The survey is being developed in May and June 2016 for use at the start of Phase One of the Tariff Trial. This is Phase 2 of UTAS assistance.The survey being developed will be sent to householders along with the terms and conditions for the tariff trial. It is a 'before' survey that is to be filled out prior to advanced meter installations in participant homes. This 'before' survey will be coupled in data analysis with an 'after' survey that will be developed at a later date
Funding
Tasmanian Networks Pty Ltd ($15,520)
Scheme
Consultancy
Administered By
University of Tasmania
Research Team
Lovell HC; Watson P
Period
2016 - 2017
Fermen Tasmania: tracking the initiation, uptake and implementation of a Tasmania food futures vision (2016)$6,974
Description
Our project will use several research techniques and interdisciplinary perspectives to track and document the detail of how FermenTasmania (FT) emerged and has diffused, both as an overall concept and as a set of new fermentation business ideas and practices in a supply chain. FT - as a distinctive new idea - provides a rare opportunity to research in real-time the detail of how innovations initiate, coalesce and develop during their early stages. To explore this topic we will utilitise the full breadth of our team's interdisciplinary expertise in wine science and transdisciplinary research (Carew - TIA), horizontal business networks in the wine industry (Lewis - Business), processes of policy and technology change (Lovell - Social Sciences) and quantitative analysis of logistics, supply chains, data and information flows (Turner/Mirowski - Engineering & ICT). This project will provide an important opportunity to develop and fine-tune our interdisciplinary collaboration and application of methods, including discourse analysis, science and technology studies ethnographies, social media network mapping, and interaction mapping.
Funding
University of Tasmania ($6,974)
Scheme
Grant-Cross-Disciplinary Incentive
Administered By
University of Tasmania
Research Team
Lovell HC; Carew ALJ; Lewis GK; Mirowski LT; Turner P
Year
2016
CONSORT: Consumer Energy Systems Providing Cost-Effective Grid Support (2016 - 2019)$3,965,701
Description
This is a technical project led by computer scientists and engineers, working with industry to develop better ways of managing renewable energy generation and battery storage on electricity grid. The UTAS team is providing social science input, working with householders on Bruny Island.
Funding
Australian Renewable Energy Agency ($2,895,951)
Collaborators
Reposit Power Pty Ltd ($726,750); Tasmanian Networks Pty Ltd ($200,000); University of Sydney ($143,000)
Scheme
Grant-Research and Development
Administered By
Australian National University
Research Team
Thiebaux S; Blackhall L; Chapman A; Lovell HC; Osborne L; Scott P; Spaccavento D; Verbic G; Harwood A; Franklin ET
Period
2016 - 2019
Sense-T Stage 2: Sensing Natural Capital - the role of environmental sensor data within new financial markets (2015 - 2016)$329,000
Description
The role of environmental sensor data within new financial markets. Key objective: to provide a standardised approach to the collection and processing of environmental data, informed by both technical feasibility and awareness of the requirements imposed by new financial markets, which is internationally consistent and fit for purpose. The project will convene a Technical Committee to deliver a new draft environmental data accounting standard, to be published for wider international consultation by the end of 2016.The research will position Tasmania at the forefront of international efforts to develop standards to underpin the rapidly-developing areas of natural capital accounting and new environmental markets, thus enabling Tasmanian businesses to continue to innovate new products and services with international market potential.
Funding
National Australia Bank Limited ($20,000); University of Tasmania ($309,000)
Scheme
Grant - Institutional
Administered By
University of Tasmania
Research Team
Lovell HC; Ascui F; Gale F; Haward MG
Period
2015 - 2016
Remembering How to Lead: Building institutional memory of 'leadership learnings' in collaborative governance environments (2015 - 2016)$64,842
Description
This project seeks to understand how leaders involved in collaborative inter-jurisdictional policy environments draw from and pass on institutional memory.
Funding
The Australia and New Zealand School of Government ($64,842)
Scheme
Grant-Research
Administered By
University of Tasmania
Research Team
Grube DC; Corbett J; Lovell HC; Scott R
Period
2015 - 2016
Smart Grids, Messy Society? An evaluation of the implementation of smart grids in Australia (2014 - 2018)$820,405
Description
New information technologies allow utility infrastructures to operate as smart grids, with the promise of multiple economic and environmental benefits. Utility infrastructures are largely unaltered since first installed 100 years ago, and smart grids have the potential to catalyse significant innovation. The two main aims of the research are: 1) to investigate the societal drivers for, and implications of, smart grids; 2) to assess how smart grid implementation varies from place to place, and the implications of this for theories and practices of innovation and learning. The research will provide new insights about the messy, complex societal reaction to smart grids in Australia; a country at the forefront of smart grid implementation.
Funding
Australian Research Council ($820,405)
Scheme
Fellowship-Future
Administered By
University of Tasmania
Research Team
Lovell HC
Period
2014 - 2018
Grant Reference
FT140100646

Research Supervision

Heather currently has four doctoral students at the University of Tasmania, researching a range of energy and society topics from different disciplinary perspectives.  She welcomes applications from those interested in doing a PhD on energy innovation from a social science perspective, please get in touch via email – heather.lovell@utas.edu.au

Current

4

Completed

2

Current

DegreeTitleCommenced
PhDInvestigating Geographical Granularity in Predicting Energy Access using Satellite Imagery2019
PhDGoverning Green Hydrogen2022
PhDA New Participatory Branding Practice2023
PhDExamining the role of energy citizenship and community action in clean energy transitions2024

Completed

DegreeTitleCompleted
PhDHygrothermal and Mould Growth Analysis of Typical Australian Residential Wall Systems
Candidate: Shruti Nath
2023
PhDARENA CONSORT Smart Grid Pilot: Governance, implementation, and the utility-prosumer interaction
Candidate: Veryan Anastasia Joan Patterson
2020