Meet the Team

The Climatico team is mainly made up of current and former masters and doctoral students from the University of Oxford, the London School of Economics and King's College London

Executive Committee

Niel Bowerman - Executive Director (Posts by Niel)

Niel is currently studying for a Masters in Physics at Keble College, University of Oxford. His research focus is on simulating anthropogenic climate change using zero-dimensional models. Niel sat on President-elect Obama's Energy and Environment Policy Committee during the 2008 presidential election. In 2006, he founded the Climate Justice Project, a national NGO promoting Contraction and Convergence. Niel has interned with the UK Department for International Development, the UK Atomic Energy Authority fusion department, the International Association for Human Values, and the World Bank. In 2007-08, Niel sat on the Executive Committee of the G8 Research Group Oxford/LSE, attended the 2008 G8 Summit, and delivered a speech at the European Parliament. As Executive Director of Climatico, Niel oversees all aspects of the group.

 

Christopher Wright - International Research Director (Posts by Chris)

Chris is currently a Research Fellow at the Grantham Institute at London School of Economics (LSE) and a Visiting Researcher at the Center for Development and Environment at the University of Oslo. He holds a Ph.D in International Relations from the LSE, and masters degrees in international affairs and environmental policy from Columbia University and LSE, respectively. His research consider the integration of environmental and social issues into investment practices, including risks and opportunities associated with climate change. In 2007-08, Chris was the Executive Director of the G8 Research Group Oxford/LSE, which produced research and analysis on the national climate policies of the G8 and Outreach 5 countries. Within Climatico, Chris is the Director of International Teams. As part of this work, he co-ordinates the research, analysis, and reporting of Climatico’s coverage of climate policy trends at various international forums, including the UNFCCC, the G8, and ASEAN.

 

Simon Billett - National Research Director (Posts by Simon)

Simon is studying for an MSc in Environmental Change and Management in the Environmental Change Institute at the University of Oxford. His research focuses on non-nation-state actors and climate governance, particularly in India. Currently Simon is investigating the role of cities, business, and civil society in Indian climate policy. Previously he has studied of the role of the Indian media in covering climate change. Simon has held a summer fellowship at Yale University and interned with the UK Department for Environment and Total Petroleum, as well as working as a free-lance environmental journalist. Within Climatico, Simon is the National Teams Director. He co-ordinates the research, analysis, and reporting of the group's focus on national-level climate policy in the G8 plus eight countries. Through this work, Simon has travelled to both G8 Summits and UNFCCC COPs to analyse country responses to climate change.

 

Dan Lewer - Director of Strategy and Operations (Posts by Dan)

Dan's background is in strategy consulting. As an associate at Firetail, he advises high profile businesses and campaigning NGOs on their approach to climate change. He has also worked extensively in the public sector and in private equity on a range of strategy issues. Dan is a director of Carbon Retirement, a company that retires EU Emission Allowances as an alternative to carbon offsetting, where he is responsible for media work and credit trading. Dan oversees Climatico's external communications.

International Analysts

Gaurav Monga - CDM Analyst (Posts by Gaurav)

Gaurav is reading for an MSc in Sustainable Energy Futures at the Energy Futures Lab at Imperial College. He works as a research assistant at the Centre for Economic Performance at the London School of Economics and Political Science. He has previously interned with the International Atomic Energy Agency in Austria and at the World Bank in Washington, D.C. Gaurav is a proud owner of an electric bicycle and maintains an occasional blog: A Meso Perspective on the World.

Ian Ross - Adaptation Analyst (Posts by Ian)

Ian works in policy research at WaterAid, a development INGO dedicated to safe domestic water, sanitation and hygiene education. He has a particular interest in climate change and water resources. Ian studied classics at Oxford University and graduated in 2007. As a student, Ian co-chaired Oxford People and Planet and was heavily involved in campaigning for global justice. He is also a trustee of Oxford Development Abroad. Within Climatico, Ian analyses adaptation.

National Analysts

Ruth Brandt - USA Analyst (Posts by Ruth)

Ruth is currently working on her MSc by research at Oxford University's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU). She has been working with environmental non-governmental organisations for many years, both in the UK and in her native Israel, and is co-founder of the Oxford Routs & Shoots student society. Her interests currently lay mainly the USA's role in global climate negotiations, its transition to a low-carbon economy and global adaptation to climate change.

 

Eleanor Coombs - UK Analyst (Posts by Eleanor)

Eleanor is studying for the Graduate Diploma in Law/CPE at City University, London. In 2008 she completed an MSc in Environmental Technology at Imperial College, London. Her research focused on national and international climate change policy and legislation, specifically the political issues surrounding the passage of the UK Climate Change Bill. Eleanor has interned at the Environmental Law Foundation.

 

Dafydd Elis - EU Analyst (Posts by Dafydd)

Dafydd is a graduate student at Oxford University's Environmental Change Institute. Previously, he worked for Pöyry Energy Consulting. He retains an active interest in the energy industry and energy policy.

 

Maria del Mar Galindo - Mexico Analyst (Posts by Maria)

Maria del Mar is a graduate student at the London School of Economics, completing an MSc in Global Politics. In the past she has worked for a Mexican consultancy company on issues of energy reform and eco-tourism, and interned at the Mexican Senate, focussing on Mexico-US-Canada relations. She has a keen interest in the national legislative aspects of climate change policy, and has previously worked with a global parliamentary group to encourage international legislative cooperation on the issue.

 

Marie Karaisl – Mexico Analyst (Posts by Marie)

Marie works for the recently established consulting company Thelos in Mexico, developing an environmental evaluation tool for infrastructure projects. Previously, she worked as Natural Resource Economist with the Namibia Nature Foundation and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism in Namibia and for the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin). She holds an MPhil in Development Studies and wrote her thesis on eco-tourism in Russia.

 

Derek Pieper - Canada Analyst (Posts by Derek)

Derek is studying for an MSc in Environmental Change and Management in the Environmental Change Institute at the University of Oxford. His research interests include international climate negotiations, climate change representation in the media, and environmental politics. Through his work with the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, Derek has participated in UNFCCC COPs in Bali and Poznan. Previously, he studied biological sciences and conducted field research in botany and evolution in Belize, Peru, and Iceland.

 

Nyla Sarwar - UK Analyst (Posts by Nyla)

Nyla is studying for an MSc in Environmental Change and Management in the Environmental Change Institute at the University of Oxford. Her research focuses on the impacts of policy instruments like the Carbon Reduction Commitment on the UK water sector. Nyla investigates the role of climate and energy policy in the development of new, renewable technologies. Previously, she has interned with the Environmental Technology team in Yorkshire's regional development agency and completed several projects with environmental consultancies - ranging from the creation of a Forum/network for the water industry supply chain to producing a CSR and sustainability implementation strategy.

 

Aparna Sridhar - India Analyst (Posts by Aparna)

Aparna recently graduated with an MSc in Environment and Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Her thesis work focused on evaluating the impacts on water resources from biofuel production. She has worked in a variety of environmental organizations including The Nature Conservancy and the Ecological Society of America.

 

Fabian Teichmüller - Germany Analyst (Posts by Fabian)

Fabian is studying for an MPhil in Comparative Government at Oxford University. His thesis deals with the salience and dynamics of environmental policy for major political parties in the UK and Germany. He is a member of the Oxford Climate Politics Network.

 

Nick Dommett - Indonesia Analyst (Posts by Nick)

Nick is a PhD candidate in the Department of Geography in King's College London. His thesis explores the legal and cultural framework of environmental managment of Israeli settlements in the West Bank/ Judea and Samaria. Nick has previously studied climate change within the context of International and EU environmental law and has interned with the International Institute of Environment and Development examining privately financed oil and gas projects in South America, Africa and Asia

 

Samia Robbins - UK and Australia Analyst (Posts by Samia)

A UK graduate in International Business, and a BA from the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia. Samia has a deep understanding of the economic relations and regulatory policy issues that impact both Europe and Australasia. In her previous role as Project Manager for the regional development agency for Yorkshire and the Humber, Samia has procured the design and delivery of the Environmental Energy Technology Centre (EETC) which demonstrates a £2.3m Hydrogen Mini-Grid Storage System and the Factory of the Future. Her recent role at Mace, a construction and project management firm, Samia can implement new BREEAM practices into current Regeneration programmes. Samia's interest lie in both UK Australia's Climate change policy, and global building energy standards.

 

Paige Andrews - USA Analyst (Posts by Paige)

Paige recently graduated with an MSc in International Political Economy from the London School of Economics. Within this program, she studied the IPE of the Environment which focused on the role of politics and markets within environmental policy and governance. Paige's interests lay in carbon trading, sustainability, renewable energy and social corporate responsibility.

 

Radhika Viswanathan - India Analyst (Posts by Radhika)

Radhika recently graduated from the London School of Economics with an MSc in Environment and Development. She also holds Masters degrees in politics and international relations from universities in Strasbourg, France. In previous avatars she interned at Oxfam GB and the Région Alsace development association (IRCOD), was a prospect researcher at the LSE and has worked as an occasional professional interpreter. Radhika's research interests lie in Indian environmental and climate change policy, urban environmentalism and the emergence of renewable technologies in India.

 

Adeline Dontenville - Australia Analyst (Posts be Adeline)

Adeline is currently studying for an MSc Risk Analysis at King's College London, focusing on the governance, management and communication of environmental, societal and health risks. She graduated last year from the Institute of Political Sciences ("Sciences Po") Strasbourg, France. She spent one year studying on exchange in Australia during which she deepened her understanding of Australian politics and Aboriginal Affairs. She has a particular interest in energy policies since having interned at EDF.

 

Takashi Sagara - Japan Analyst (Posts by Takashi)

Takashi is a policy analyst and his interests include environmental policy and regulation, deliberative policy-making, demand-side management and sustainable consumption, and business, environment, corporate responsibility and the environment and social welfare, especially children and the disabled. Takashi holds a Masters degree in Environmental Assessment and Evaluation and a Ph.D in environmental policy from the London School of Economics.

 

Jennifer Helgeson - France Analyst (Posts by Jennifer)

Jennifer is currently an environmental economist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the USA where she focuses on Green Building metrics. Following the completion of her BA Economics at Brandeis University in 2005, Jennifer spent a year researching Environmental Economics issues on a Fulbright Grant to Norway. She earned her MS Environmental Change and Management with a focus on Environmental Economics at the University of Oxford, UK in 2007. In the past, she has done work for the Centre for International Climate and Environmental Research, Norway and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, France. She is also a science committee member on the UN Human Dimension's "Integrated Risk Governance" project.

 

Sabrina Chesterman - South Africa Analyst (Posts by Sabrina)

Sabrina is studying for a Masters in Environmental Change and Management at Oxford University. She is part of the Renewable Energy portfolio and executive committee of the Oxford Business and Environment Network, and is Ignite Clean Energy Competition UK Chair 2009. Sabrina studied Environmental Science at Rhodes University in South Africa, worked as an environmental consultant in South Africa and here in the UK. She is passionate about green development in Africa!

 

Emma Owen - China Analyst (Posts by Emma)

Emma has worked across a range of areas within the energy sector, as a communications officer at the British Wind Energy Association and manager of European funded projects at the Energy Savings Trust and The London European Partnership for Transport. She has also worked for the EUROCITIES policy network in Brussels, lobbying European institutions on EU energy, sustainable transport and climate change policies. She is currently studying for an MSc in environmental change and management at Oxford, where her research is focused on the international climate regime, including policies for a post 2012 framework, energy markets and China.

Strategy and Operations

Maggie Tunning - Communications Coordinator (Posts by Maggie)

Maggie's past employers include the United States Senate, the French National Department of Education, and the Global Innovation and Strategy Center.

 

Daniel Lowe - Finance and Logistics Manager (Posts by Daniel)

Tom Hosking - Marketing Director (Posts by Tom)

After spending some time helping companies that sell cars, kitchen mixers, and clothing build their online presence, Tom has finally decided to do something good. He is responsible for improving the website, and helping get the word out about Climatico.

Chris Lawrence - Webmaster

Julia Bowerman - Graphic Designer

Julia is at the University of Sussex, pursuing a degree in Development Studies with Spanish. She previously received an art scholarship to the Godolphin and Latymer School for her sixth form education. Julia has completed an internship with design and branding agency The Identica Partnership, and also with Artisans du Monde, a humanitarian artisan company based in Versailles. In addition, Julia has worked for Clarion Contemporary Arts, a gallery and fine art retailer.