Background

I am a human geographer with four interconnecting areas of research interest:

1. Energy and Infrastructures: My research has focused on the economic, social and environmental dimensions of energy and infrastructure networks.
2. Everyday life: Central to my research is an ongoing interest in understanding how everyday life is conducted, shaped, and experienced.
   
3. Economic Geographies: I am interested in multi-scalar and spatially connective economies of places and practices. I pursue this interest in research on infrastructures, innovation and technology.
4. Integration of qualitative, quantitative and spatial data: I like the challenge of working with a range of data types to derive insight and see this as central to my work as a researcher and teacher. 

Teaching

Modules I lead:

• GEO2224  Urban Geographies of Economic and Environmental Sustainability: Barcelona Fieldcourse
• GEO3134 Geographies of Sustainability

• GEO2099 Economic Geography
• GEO3132 Climate Change Debate: Science, Politics and Public Views
• GEO8017 Human Geography: Concepts in Action

Research

I am currently focusing my work on:

1. The national centre for energy system integration (CESI).
   
2. Hydrogen in everyday life: Here I am looking at the possible use of hydrogen as an energy source for UK homes and businesses. Drawing on theories of practice, ideas about risk perception and acceptance and geographies of fear.

Some of my current favourite puzzles:

• What are the geographies of different kinds of knowledge assets?
• Where does economic growth come from?

I am keen to meet students and researchers at any career stage to develop new research.

Publications

• Powells G, Fell M. Flexibility capital and flexibility justice in smart energy systems. Energy Research & Social Science 2019, 54, 56-59.
• Powells G, Bulkeley H, McLean A. Geographies of Smart Urban Power. In: Marvin, S; Luque-Ayala, A; McFarlane, C, ed. Smart Urbanism: Utopian Vision or False Dawn?. London: Routledge, 2016, pp.125-144.
• Bulkeley H, Powells G, Bell S. Smart Grids and the Constitution of Solar Electricity Conduct. Environment and Planning: A 2016, 48(1), 7-23.
• Powells G, Blake L. Urban Science Networks and Local Economy: The Case of Newcastle Upon Tyne. In: Evans, J; Karvonen, A; Raven, R, ed. The Experimental City. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, 2016, pp.137-149.
• Powells G, Bell S, Judson E, Lyon S, Wardle R, Capova K, Bulkeley H. Fostering active network management through SMEs practices. Energy Efficiency 2015.
• Bell S, Judson E, Bulkeley H, Powells G, Capova K, Lynch D. Sociality and electricity: the influence of household dynamics on everyday consumption. Energy Research & Social Science 2015, 9, 98-106.
• Judson EP, Bell S, Bulkeley H, Powells G, Lyon S. The co-construction of energy provision and everyday practice: integrating heat pumps in social housing in England. Science & Technology Studies 2015, 28(3), 26-53.
• Powells G, Bulkeley H, Bell S, Judson E. Peak electricity demand and the flexibility of everyday life. Geoforum 2014, 55, 43-52.
• Bulkeley H, Powells G, Bell S, Lyon S. Smart grids and the governing of energy use: reconfiguring practices?. In: Strengers, Y.; Maller, C, ed. Social Practices, Intervention and Sustainability: Beyond behaviour change. Abingdon: Routledge, 2014, pp.112-126.
• Powells G. Housing Dynamics: Environmental Aspects. In: Smith, SJ, ed. International Encyclopedia of Housing and Home. San Diego: Elsevier, 2010, pp.429-435.
• Smith SJ, Searle B, Powells G. Introduction. In: Smith, SJ; Searle, B, ed. The Blackwell Companion to the Economics of Housing: The Housing Wealth of Nations. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.
• Powells G. Complexity, entanglement, and overflow in the new carbon economy: the case of the UK’s Energy Efficiency Commitment. Environment and Planning A 2009, 41(10), 2342 – 2356.
• Powells G. The Political Economy of Sustainable Energy – By Catherine Mitchell. Geographical Journal 2009, 175(4), 315-316.