After completing her PhD at Newcastle University in 2012, Jo accepted a Postdoctoral Research Associate position at the University of Manchester, working on the ESCR funded project, ‘Households, Retailers and Food Waste Transitions’ (ref: ES/L00514X/1).

In 2016, Jo returned to Newcastle as a Research Excellence Academy (REA) fellow in the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology. She worked collaboratively on the project 'Individual Responsibility for Human Rights', exploring the (justifiable) limitations of action on climate change. This was followed by a postdoctoral position at Cardiff University, working in association with the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST) and looking at household water use behaviours, technology adoption and drought (2021-2023).

Jo is currently back at Newcastle University (NUBS), working on several different projects that explore sustainability and technology with a focus on water and energy use in the home.

Alongside her publication record (2012-2023), Jo has produced two children (21 months of maternity leave in total).

Research Interests

Jo's current research focuses on the acceptance, adoption and effectiveness of sustainable technologies. She is working on three projects that explore these areas with a focus on water and energy use in the home. This work is being conducted alongside a research team at NUBS and with project partners, including Northumbrian Water, Northern Gas Networks, National Energy Action and Procter and Gamble.

Jo has previous research experience on household water use behaviours with a specific focus on sustainable technologies (e.g., smart shower sensors, smart water meters), alongside a broad range of other issues related to drought and water management in the UK. These include individual perceptions of water use, levels of concern and perceptions of future management options (e.g., pricing, restrictions).

Alongside her work on climate change mitigation (sustainable technology and behaviour change), Jo is interested in individual and societal adaptation to a changing climate. Specifically, the impact that extreme heat will have on everyday behaviours such as water and energy use.