Giuseppe Pellegrini Masini

I am an environmental social scientist working on the H2020 SMARTEES research project, which studies through a multimethod approach, the drivers and barriers affecting the development of energy social innovations involving renewables, sustainable transportation and energy efficiency in buildings. My specific focus is on energy equality, energy justice and energy efficiency in urban areas.

Previously I was a postdoctoral fellow, and now I am an affiliate researcher at the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies (Pisa, Italy), where I worked on a research project in collaboration with RSE, (Ricerca sul Sistema Energetico, Milano), on energy justice and the social aspects related with the evolution of the Italian energy system. 

In 2017, I was awarded my PhD at Heriot-Watt University, (School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society), where I researched social acceptability of onshore wind farms and the co-operative model of community ownership.

In the past, I also worked as ‘Research Associate’ at the University of Glasgow and Heriot-Watt University on a natiowide British project, (TARBASE), aiming at individuating engineering and policy solutions to reduce carbon emissions from the UK building stock. Previously, I researched social engagement in wind energy at the Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development of De Montfort University.

In 2012 and 2013, I was environment executive councillor (Assessore all’ambiente) in the municipality of Lucca (Italy) where I co-ordinated the design and implementation of the environmental policy for the whole municipality. In that capacity I introduced the zero-waste strategy, obtaining a 20% increase in recycled waste, and I co-ordinated the design of the Sustainable Energy Action Plan for the city membership of the Covenant of Mayors.

My main research interests lie broadly in energy and social research, energy policy, sustainable behaviours and environmental policies.