Mrs Nicolette Fox (formerly Fox)
| Post: | Visiting Senior Research Fellowspru (SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit) |
| Other posts: | Visiting Senior Research Fellow (SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit) |
| Phd Student (The Sussex Energy Group) | |
| Location: | JUBILEE BUILDING JUB-371 |
| Email: | Nicolette.Fox@sussex.ac.uk |
Biography
I am currently working as the PI on a water sustainability and affordability project that I developed in collaboration with a water company, local authority and national consumer body. This has included drawing on my PhD findings to pilot different ways of engaging social housing tenants around water issues.
My doctoral research at the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) explored the evolution of producing and consuming - prosuming - solar power within a social housing estate. Prosuming was framed as a 'project' using Social Practice literature, as well as drawing on Time Geography. I collaborated with the local authority and spent four seasons exploring the solar journeys of seven households.
This experience encouraged me to reflect on the additional responsibilities a researcher has in conducting a study within a highly disadvantaged community. This included making a commitment to give something back to the community by sharing my findings beyond academia. For example, I produced with the interviewees a booklet that was sent to several hundred households by the local authority and informed the solar PV rollout programme of two others. Additionally, I worked with them to produce a YouTube film of their lived energy experiences.
In June 2016 I was awarded a Sussex University Impact Award for Public Engagement. I was also a finalist in the NCCPE Engage awards for Higher Education public engagement. My PhD research has also been selected by the EPSRC as a case study.
My past work has included roles as an award-winning sustainability campaigner, communications consultant and television and newspaper journalist.