Research Interests
Social science and interdisciplinary research related to areas such as:
- Multi-level climate action
- Critical approaches to sustainability
- Citizen and community participation in energy transitions
- Community energy
- Energy conflicts, extractivism and Just Transition
- Multi-level assessments of climate and energy policies and practices
Public outreach & key achievements
Amanda's research goes beyond academic analysis to informing empirical pathways for a just transition to fairer, healthier and more sustainable societies and is aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, notably SDGs 7, 10, 11, 12 and 13, and QUB’s Strategy 2030. She actively collaborates with varied partners to translate sustainability and climate policy into action on the ground, e.g. as Chair of Climate Coalition Northern Ireland (2020-22), Amanda worked closely with cross-community, cross-party MLAs, legal experts, CCNI members and key stakeholders to develop NI’s first Climate Change Bill, contributing to activities which culminated in the passing of NI’s first Climate Change Act in June 2022.
Since her first contribution to research in 2003, Amanda's innovative and often interdisciplinary research has consistently focused on complex social and environmental issues. Her Irish Research Council funded PhD (2009-2013, UCD) entailed the first academic, multi-level study of Irish state hydrocarbon extraction and its consequences for communities and wider society, analysed in the context of international political economy. Outputs from her doctoral study include her monograph Gas, oil and the Irish state: Understanding the dynamics and conflicts of hydrocarbon management (2016, 2017, Manchester University Press), other publications on hydrocarbon extractivism and climate action, and policy-engaged outputs such as expert advice to Oireachtas Committees (2011-2018), and members of the NI Assembly and UK Parliament (2020 to present).
As an engaged academic, Amanda has won several awards, including: Teaching Excellence Team Award with colleagues in the School of Biological Sciences (2025); 'Citizenship & Outreach Award' (QUB, 2023); The RSPB Medal, awarded to Amanda on behalf of Climate Coalition Northern Ireland (2023); 'Innovative and Engagement Award' (QUB, 2019).
She has been awarded funding from various sources, including the Department for the Economy (2024-5) for research on community energy, Department for Agriculture, Environment and Climate Action (2025) for research on community climate action with SBS colleagues, and the National Lottery (2025-2028) as part of the 'Goals for Climate' consortium with GroundWork NI and the IFA Foundation.
Research students
Amanda supervises several PhD and Masters students in the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics, and the School of Biological Sciences.
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School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics
Amanda is Co-Director of QUB's Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action