James Van Alstine

James Van Alstine is Associate Professor in Environmental Policy within the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds.  He is an interdisciplinary environmental social scientist who works on the politics and governance of just energy transitions, natural resource policy and governance, and opportunities for low carbon, inclusive and climate resilient development. With over 20 years of experience in the global North and South, James seeks to bridge the academic-practitioner divide by pursuing action-oriented research that coproduces policy and practice. His work has been funded (>£2m) by a variety of sources, including UKRI, international donors, corporate foundations and NGOs, and has produced over 50 academic publications. 

Recent projects include evaluating the social acceptance of carbon, capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen technologies in England and Scotland (SSE, £50k), and exploring the opportunities and challenges to maximise social value in UK critical mineral supply chains (Innovate UK, £316k). Through Geosolutions Leeds (£2.8m research centre) he co-leads a team working with local and national government to maximise the use of geothermal assets in the development of heat networks in the UK. For nearly two decades he has worked extensively with local partners in sub-Saharan Africa to explore opportunities for community-driven accountability, deliberative decision-making and transparency in the extractive industries.