Research
Showcasing innovative faculty and student energy transition research that bridges technology, society, and policy.
Affiliated Researchers
Ahmed Abdulla
- Associate Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering – Energy system design for deep decarbonization; disruptive energy technologies; energy storage systems; advanced nuclear power; negative emissions technologies
Elie Azar
- Associate Professor, Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Buildings and Communities (Tier II), Civil and Environmental Engineering – Urban sustainability; agent-based modelling; building performance simulation; occupant comfort and behaviour; data-driven modelling and machine learning
Jean Duquette
- Associate Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering – Modelling and simulation of low energy buildings, and building-integrated sustainable energy systems; heat pump and refrigeration cycles (vapour compression, sorption, CO2); solar thermal energy; solar water purification; renewable energy integration in remote community energy systems; modelling and simulation of district heating and cooling networks; technical, economic, and policy aspects of emerging energy systems
Barak Gunay
- Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering – Adaptive indoor climate control in buildings; automated fault detection and diagnostics in buildings; data-driven modelling in building science; building performance simulation; bid data for intelligent buildings
Brendan Haley
- Adjunct Research Professor, School of Public Policy and Administration, Policy Director at Efficiency Canada – Traditional natural resource sectors; Canada’s transition to a low carbon economy; Canadian political economy; technological innovation systems; sustainability transitions
Tarik Kaya
- Associate Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering – Mathematical modelling of two-phase flow and heat transfer; evaporating meniscus instability; heat pipes and loop heat pipes; spacecraft thermal control
Reza Kholghy
- Associate Professor, Canada Research Chair in Particle Technology and Combustion Engineering, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering – Energy storage technologies, nanoparticle formation, soot formation, kinetic modelling
Barbara Leckie
- Professor, Department of English and the Institute for the Comparative Study of Literature, Art, and Culture, Academic Director at Re.Climate – Climate change and the humanities; critical and cultural theory; rhetoric, representation, and social reform in relation to climate action
Alexandra Mallett
- Associate Professor, School of Public Policy and Administration – Sustainable energy and climate policy; emerging economies / developing countries; low carbon technology cooperation; innovation, science and technology policies
James Meadowcroft
- Chancellor’s Professor, School of Public Policy and Administration – Low-carbon transition; environmental policy; sustainable development; energy policy; climate change; comparative environmental politics and policy
Liam O’Brien
- Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering – High performance solar buildings; smart buildings and big data; building automation systems; daylight and solar control; urban form and solar energy access; facilities management; building performance for energy and comfort
Maya Papineau
- Associate Professor, Economics – Economics of climate change; energy efficiency policy; renewable energy; sustainable development
Cameron Roberts
- Adjunct Research Professor, School of Public Policy and Administration – Sustainable mobility, the politics of low-carbon transitions, the application of historical case studies to contemporary sustainability problems
Daniel Rosenbloom
- Assistant Professor and Rosamond Ivey Research Chair in Sustainability Transitions, Graduate Supervisor (Sustainable Energy), School of Public Policy and Administration – Governance of socio-technical transitions and net-zero pathways; climate policy and politics; Canadian energy political economy; science, technology, and innovation
Chris Russill
- Associate Professor, School of Journalism and Communication, Academic Director at Re.Climate – Climate communication; information environments; disinformation; crisis management; public engagement; carbon pricing in Canada
Kristen Schell
- Associate Professor, Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Uncertainty Informed Net-Zero Energy System Modelling, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering – Wind power modelling and forecasting; power systems planning for negative emissions; strategic behaviour in electricity markets; renewable energy policy design; design for adoption of adaptable, modular microgrids
Stephan Schott
- Professor, School of Public Policy and Administration – Natural resource management; air quality control policy; northern development; common pool resources; experimental economics; energy policy and strategies
Research Initiatives
CSERC features major research initiatives that generate actionable insights for accelerating energy transitions.
Alternative Pathways for the Energy Transition (APEX)
Alternative Pathways for the Energy Transition (APEX) is an interdisciplinary engineering group dedicated to advancing deep decarbonization in Canada and globally.
Bending the Curve with NETS
Bending the Curve with NETs addresses unrealistic NETs scaling and works to better integrate CO₂-removal technologies to meet climate goals.
Solar-Driven Adsorption Energy Storage for Northern Communities (SATES)
SATES develops solar-driven adsorption thermal storage as a clean, reliable, low-cost heating option for Northern communities.
Sustainability Transitions Research Network (STRN)
In December 2025, Carleton University became the first North American institutional member of the Sustainability Transitions Research Network, enhancing its global role in sustainability and transition research.
Electrification Contestation
Energy and transition scholars analyze how actors have responded to climate and energy policy consultations since Canada adopted its Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act in 2021.
Assessing Systemic Outcomes of Smart Grid Demonstrations
This project responds to the urgent need to accelerate sustainable energy transitions, recognizing these shifts require
not only technological innovation but also long-term changes
Dead-End Pathways
A practical tool for identifying decarbonization options that cannot plausibly deliver net zero
Recent News
New Publication by Brendan Haley: Why does Canada develop megaprojects instead of innovation systems?
As Canada looks to reshape its economic future, it should aim to build systems of innovation that catalyze economic diversification. In this report for the …
Alex Mallett Published in the Hill Times: Engagement on new National Electricity Strategy must address three critical questions
For it to succeed, consultations must move beyond the strategy’s broad ambitions and tackle the critical issues that could make or break it.
CSERC Roundtable, Seminar & Discussion with Dr. Timur Gül
On Friday, May 22, 2026, the Carleton Sustainable Energy Research Centre (CSERC) hosted an expert roundtable and seminar discussion featuring Dr. Timur Gül, Chief Energy …
Carleton Researcher Ahmed Abdulla Named Canada’s 2026 Frontiers Planet Prize National Champion
Carleton University’s engineering researcher Ahmed Abdulla has been named Canada’s 2026 National Champion by the Frontiers Planet Prize for his research on direct air capture, …
Alexandra Mallett on CTV News: Hottest Decade on Record
The Carleton Sustainable Energy Research Centre is pleased to highlight a recent CTV feature with Alexandra Mallett, whose expertise continues to shape public conversations on Canada’s …
Carleton Students Compete at OEB’s Inaugural Energython
Carleton sustainable energy students showcased their expertise at the Ontario Energy Board’s inaugural Energython case competition held in Toronto on January 30, 2026. Representing Carleton …