Dr. Julia Tomei

Biography

Julia Tomei is a social scientist whose research focuses on the livelihood and socio-political dimensions of energy resources in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). She has been with University College London (UCL) since 2010, where she collaborates with colleagues from various disciplines. Her core research emphasizes equitable partnerships among researchers, decision-makers, and civil society organizations in diverse countries. Tomei's academic journey began at the University of Leeds, where she developed an interest in the interactions between people and the natural environment. She later completed an MSc in Environmental Technology at Imperial College London, specializing in ecosystem management. Her dissertation included a research project in the Peruvian Andes that examined agricultural biodiversity, specifically focusing on potatoes and maize, and highlighted the challenges posed by climate change to communities in LMICs, which continue to influence her research interests. Since 2021, she has served as the Deputy Director of the UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources and co-leads the research theme 'Improving Energy Access and Resource Use in the Developing World' alongside Professor Jim Watson. She currently leads a workstream focused on policy pathways for climate-compatible growth as part of a ten-year, £95 million research program funded by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

Research Interests

Experience