About Us
We are a diverse team of researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) who are committed to examining issues of off-grid solar maintenance, repair and e-waste in the Global South
Paul Munro
Scientia Associate ProfessorPaul is a human geographer within the Environment and Society Group at UNSW Sydney. He has established research records in the fields of political ecology and environmental history and has written extensively on forest governance and energy justice, with a particular geographical focus on Sub-Saharan Africa and the South Pacific.
Shanil Samarakoon
Postdoctoral ResearcherShanil is a human geographer within both the Environment and Society Group and the Collaboration on Energy and Environmental Markets at UNSW Sydney. He draws on 15+ years as a practitioner and has a research background in issues of energy justice across Australia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Pacific.
Joyce Wu
Senior LecturerJoyce is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Social Sciences at UNSW. Her research includes sexual and gendered violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, intersectionality and inequality, gender mainstreaming, sustainable development, climate change, and equity and diversity in higher education.
Matthew Kearnes
ProfessorMatthew is the Deputy Head of School (Research), of the School of Humanities and Languages, UNSW. He is also a member of the UNSW Environment and Society group. His research is situated between the fields of Science and Technology Studies (STS), social and cultural geography and contemporary social theory. His research focuses on the social constitution of processes of technological and environmental change.
Anna Bruce
Associate ProfessorAnna works within the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering and is Joint Director (Engineering) at the Collaboration on Energy and Environmental Markets (CEEM) at UNSW Sydney. She leads CEEM’s research theme in Distributed Energy Systems, distributed generation and demand-side participation. Her research includes modelling, analysis and integration of renewable energy and distributed energy resources into electricity industries; energy access in developing countries; and energy policy and regulation.
Sarah Walker
Associate ProfessorSarah is an applied microeconomist. Her research focuses on development, economic history, culture and institutions, and the intersection of these topics with the environment. She received her PhD in Agricultural and Applied Economics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 2015 and shortly thereafter joined the School of Economics at UNSW Sydney. Sarah has previously held consultancies with the World Bank, and prior to her academic career, worked for several years in boutique financial services.
Dan Robinson
ProfessorDaniel has a background in human geography, environmental science and environmental law. His research focuses on the regulation of nature and knowledge. His papers and books cover themes including ‘biopiracy’, access and benefit-sharing relating to biological resources, appropriation and regulation of Indigenous knowledge, Indigenous/customary laws and biocultural protocols, ethical biotrade, political ecology, environmental policy and management.
Joshua Wilkinson
PhD Candidate/ Research AssistantJoshua recently graduated from the Master of Environmental Management (MEM) program at UNSW’s School of Humanities and Languages. His research, rooted in political ecology, explores the social and environmental impacts of international development and climate adaptation. Joshua’s interest is in environmental justice, examining how global climate policies, regulations, and financing intersect with and shape the material realities of local communities.
Suale Iddrisu
PhD Candidate/ Research AssistantSuale is a PhD student within the Environment and Society Group at UNSW Sydney. His research focuses on off-grid solar waste and repair in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), land use/cover change, and rural livelihoods. He is also interested in SSA’s energy access and the utilisation of renewable energy systems.
Lalyn Toa
Project OfficerLaylyn Toa is a Project Officer at the Department of Energy in Vanuatu. She recently completed her studies at the University of the South Pacific, Laucala Campus, in 2024 and will be graduating in April 2025 with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. Passionate about renewable energy and sustainable development, Laylyn is dedicated to advancing energy solutions in Vanuatu. She is currently the Project Officer for the “Fixim Sola” project.
Andrea Loli
Project AdvisorAndrea Loli has completed her studies in Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the University of the South Pacific. She has extensive experience working on energy projects in the South Pacific. Having worked at the Vanuatu Department of Energy, she currently works for the Utilities Regulatory Authority. Andrea is an advisor to the “Fixim Sola” project.
Shaina Chaula
Research AssistantShaina Chaula is a dedicated water scientist with a Bachelor of Science degree in Water Resources Management and Development from Mzuzu University, obtained in 2015. With extensive experience in researching water and energy-related projects, she has developed strong expertise in her field. Her passion lies in exploring sustainable solutions for off-grid solar systems in Malawi, driving her to learn in this area continually.