Oliver has over 10 years of professional experience in the field of sustainable energy and climate change, focusing on low-carbon innovation, energy access and energy sector governance. He has undertaken work in research, policy advice, consultancy, teaching and development project management across the globe and at many levels, from grassroots NGOs to international organizations.

Oliver’s research interests lie in understanding the complexities associated with transitioning to more sustainable energy systems and how different actors seek to shape and frame the process. In particular, he is concerned with how new technologies and services are diffused within existing energy systems and how to address deeper barriers to diffusion associated with technologies, infrastructures (e.g. local manufacturing, installation and maintenance capabilities), markets, government policies and regulation, user practices, social norms and cultural meaning.

Prior to joining SEI, Oliver worked for the German Development Institute (DIE) in Bonn and at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva.

He has a Ph.D. in Science and Technology Policy Studies from SPRU (Science & Technology Policy Research) at the University of Sussex. His doctoral work focused on ownership and knowledge in electricity reform in Ghana and Tanzania. He also has an MA in International Studies from the University Leeds and a BSc (Hons) in Physics from the University of Nottingham.