Jim has been Professor of Energy Policy at the UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources since 2018, and was Research Director and then Director of the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) from 2013 to 2019. He is currently the Research Director for ISR and Research Director of the Climate Compatible Growth Programme funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Jim is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and the Energy Institute; a member of the Executive Committee of the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement; and a judge for the Queens Awards for Enterprise: Sustainable Development. He also chairs the Technical Advisory Group for the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme.
He has over twenty years of research experience of climate change, energy and innovation policy. This includes leading interdisciplinary research on the UK energy transition, and international collaborations with colleagues in China, India, Ghana and Zambia. The UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources is delighted to announce this new appointment and is looking forward to Jim’s leadership.
Jim's response to his appointment:
The sustainable use of resources is necessary to tackle climate change and to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. ISR’s expertise is needed more than ever. I’m looking forward to working with ISR’s talented teams – and to building on our track record of impact on the work of governments, businesses and civil society."
Interim UCL ISR Director Dr Julia Tomei said:
I am delighted to be handing over the Director role to Jim. He brings a wealth of experience, not only in managing research centres and programmes, but also in engaging with diverse audiences and delivering impact. I look forward to working closely with Jim as he takes the ISR into its next phase!"
The Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources Director, Prof. Raimund Bleischwitz said:
After almost ten successful years under Paul Ekins’s directorship, Jim Watson is a great choice to take ISR onwards and even higher."
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