Dr. Stephen Quilley

Biography

Stephen Quilley is an Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo, focusing on social environmental innovation. He is trained as a sociologist and has previously lectured on environmental politics at Keele University and environmental sociology at University College Dublin. His research interests are interdisciplinary, blending insights from historical sociology with contemporary issues in urban regeneration and human ecology. Stephen's work includes various policy-related projects on sustainability, urban regeneration, food systems, and social-ecological resilience. He currently investigates Ernest Becker’s theory on the irrational drivers of environmental behavior and the role of environmental social scientists in navigating the Anthropocene. His current theoretical projects involve exploring the relations between energy, civilization, and social complexity, as well as the potential of open-source fabrication systems. His research also delves into political economy, ecological economics, environmental management, and the intersections of Christian theology with contemporary environmental thought. He addresses topics such as degrowth, Net Zero emissions strategies, and the influences of figures like Aquinas and MacIntyre in moral and ethical discussions regarding environmental issues.

Research Interests

Experience