Michael graduated from MA Environmental Geography (Hons) from the University of Aberdeen in July 2013. He previously worked at the Environmental Research Institute in Thurso in 2012, investigating the relationship between wind speed and rainfall in Scotland to explore its effect on wind and hydro power reliability and their integration into the Scottish electricity system, particularly in light of the 2020 renewable targets.
Michael joined the James Hutton Institute to work on a large (ongoing) study of energy consumption involving 1200 households, in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council [1] and Aberdeen City Council [2]. This study, the 'North East Scotland Energy Monitoring Project' is looking at the how effective various forms of energy feedback are in facilitating energy-reduction in households.
He is currently a research assistant working with the Hydropower Resources Research Team [3].
Michael’s current work is supporting the following projects within the hydropower work package.
Michael has broad interests in mostly environmental but also some human/social lines of research. Specifically in the fields of: renewable energy, marine/coastal issues, sustainability and conservation, hydrology and ecology, agriculture, socio-demographic and socio-economic change and certain aspects of climate change.
Links:
[1] http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk
[2] http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk
[3] http://www.hutton.ac.uk/research/themes/managing-catchments-and-coasts/hydropower-resources