Stephen Axon, Ph.D.
Stephen Axon, Ph.D. (University of Liverpool), FRGS, FHEA
Assistant Professor
Secretary, Planning and Environment Research Group, Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
Contact Information
OFFICE
Southern Connecticut State University
327 Jennings Hall
203-392-XXXX
PERSONAL WEBSITE
Personal Statement
I define myself as an environmental social scientist. My research interests centre on the governance of, and stakeholder engagement with, coastal sustainability transitions and ‘blue energy’ developments. I am particularly interested in understanding how the marginal nature of coastscapes that are constructed by residents of, and tourists to, coastal communities influences responses to coastal sustainability projects. Addressing the implications from these findings, I seek to develop both empirical understandings and practical applications.
I contribute to the following courses in the MS in Coastal Resilience program:
CRM 502 Coastal Systems II–Sociocultural Aspects
CRM 504 Coastal Policy and Planning
Current Projects
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Public engagement with (community-based) sustainability
- Sustainable lifestyles
- Sustainable energy transitions
- Coastal sustainability transitions and ‘blue energy’ developments
CURRENT PROJECTS
- Coastal Sustainability Transitions and ‘blue energy’ developments
Goal: Much policy attention is turning towards establishing new renewable energy projects are focused on coastal areas. However, establishing renewable offshore projects is challenging given increasing levels of opposition towards the siting of such developments. This project examines how the marginal nature of ‘coastscapes’ are constructed and the impacts this has on opposition to the development of renewable energy projects, and the implications for place and identity in coastal communities.
- Public engagement with coastal sustainability projects
Goal: The impetus for addressing climate change is real and present, but its translation into action lacks immediacy and severity. Engaging the public with coastal sustainability projects is met with frequent challenges; most notably turning initial excitement to sustained participation in sustainability-related projects. As such, this project investigates the enablers of, and barriers to, sustainable lifestyles and participation in coastal sustainability-related projects. By identifying what interventions work to maintain involvement in sustainable living, tailored ‘what works’ approaches can be implemented to support the transition to a sustainable future.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Journal Articles:
Axon, S., Chapman, A. and Light, D. (2017) Stakeholder engagement in coastal sustainability transitions: An emerging research agenda. Regions, 308 (4): 20-22.
Axon, S., Germond-Duret, C. and Morrissey, J. (2017) Coastal sustainability and the role of stakeholders in low-carbon transitions: A report from Liverpool, UK. Regions, 308 (4): 18-20.
Book Chapters:
Axon, S. (2018) The human geographies of coastal sustainability transitions, in Heidkamp, C. P. and Morrissey, J. E. (eds) Towards Coastal Resilience and Sustainability, Routledge.