Jessica Hogan – originally from Carleton Place, Ontario, and raised by proud Newfoundlanders – is currently completing a doctoral degree at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Her doctoral work is a timely contribution to energy and governance research. Particularly, her research contributes to understanding the role that renewable energy technologies can play as effective solutions for diversifying energy supply, creating economic development and reducing environmental impacts from the energy sector, in the face of continued climate change.
Jessica began her PhD in September 2019, after completing both a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and French, and Master of Science degree in Geography (focused on Natural Resource Management) at Memorial University in Newfoundland. Jessica has been an award-winning student throughout her academic career to date, with her having received many prestigious and competitive awards, including a coveted Rothermere Fellowship from Memorial University and a SSHRC Doctoral Scholarship.
Using Scotland as a model, Jessica’s research seeks to provide an adapted framework for wind energy development suitable for Canadian regions, and particularly Newfoundland and Labrador. She is working with exemplar rural Scottish communities where wind energy has led to innovative local energy solutions, strengthened community engagement, and helped to diversify the economic base – all of which help to underpin the viability of rural communities. Jessica’s research is especially relevant for Newfoundland and Labrador, where communities, historically reliant on the fishing industry, have been heavily affected by the 1992 Cod Moratorium. Newfoundland and Labrador continues to experience economic challenges and wind energy offers one route to providing rural communities with power – literally and figuratively, through the provision of new prospects.
Further, while Newfoundland and Labrador have the greatest potential, among the Canadian provinces and territories, for wind energy, there has been minimal development there in the sector. Past research in the province has identified several barriers to wind energy from an experts’ perspective, but there is limited research from the perspective of local communities. Jessica’s research seeks to contribute to the broader understanding of the social dimensions of wind energy and, ultimately, find a balance between environmental resilience, economic development, and livelihoods under a warming climate.
While Jessica’s doctoral work is based out of Scotland, the work also includes significant field work in rural Newfoundland and Labrador, with a focus on engagement with community members involved in energy matters.
