RESEARCH
As a researcher my primary interest revolves around the practical and theoretical aspects of transformations in worldviews and ways of being. What really excites me about doing research is the opportunity to shift perspectives – my own and others’ – through mutual inquiries into the contexts that shape how we live and think.
“I've had a lot of people come to interview me for their research, but it's rare that this turns into the kind of ongoing dialogue that I've had with Jeppe. He's homing in on big, deep questions, but also drawing out connections between thinking and doing. For Dark Mountain, he's played an important role in strengthening and increasing the self-understanding of our network. And personally, I've always found it both helpful and exciting to talk with him.”
Dougald Hine, co-founder of The Dark Mountain Project
My research explores the ways in which particular worldviews affect our personal and collective lives and how we can move towards sustainable ways of living that position our selves as an integral part of the wider fabric of life. In my view, sustainability research has to be about the kind of relations that humanity sustains with more-than-human nature if it is to retain any substantive meaning (rather than just being a shorthand for sustaining contemporary modes of life). This is what my thesis is about.
I approach the role of researcher in the spirit of the bricoleur and engage with a variety of methods and techniques. I have developed a method for doing qualitative ‘interview-conversations’ which allow for participants to continually work with, and refine, the meanings that emerge in the process (you can find many of them here), and I have also designed a framework for (online) case study research based on principles of transparency, co-production and emergence (I call that ‘following the narrative’ and you can find out more about that here).
My research experience spans qualitative and quantitative studies in the environmental and social sciences including grassroots innovations, sustainable consumption, community currencies, climate science and policy, environmental valuation and social-ecological resilience. I have worked on a variety of projects doing different kinds of research ranging from narrative inquiry, in-depth sociological case-studies, netnography, mixed-method auditing, triple-bottom line assessments, policy evaluation, environmental impact assessment and cost-benefit analyses.
I have an interdisciplinary background holding a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (first-class honours) from the University of York and an MSc in Climate Change (distinction) from the University of East Anglia where I also completed my doctoral thesis on sustainability narratives and cultural change. I have worked as a research assistant at the consultancy GHK (now ICF GHK) on climate change adaptation and environmental policy, and interned with NEF consulting, where I helped develop a framework for environmental valuation in the Social Return on Investment model. I work with Envoy Partnership on a freelance basis.
During my PhD research I maintained a web page for my research journey which is available here. And you can find some of my publications on my Academia profile.
