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Staff Profile

Professor Darren McCauley

Prof of Environmental & Social Justice

Background

External websites: Google Scholar / Scopus / ORCID / PURE

Darren McCauley is Professor in Environmental & Social Justice, Newcastle Law School, Newcastle University, UK. Prof. McCauley was previously Chair in the Management of International Social Challenges at Erasmus University Rotterdam. He maintains a Visiting Professorship there as a part of the Science, Public Issues and Imaginaries group of DPAS. Darren held his Senior Lectureship at the University of St. Andrews. He held lectureships at Stirling, Queens and Trinity College Dublin. Prof. McCauley also holds other visiting positions at several institutions and many external commissions of trust (editorial and editorships, peer review colleges, external boards).

Please feel free to find out more at the Research, Teaching and Publication tabs of this webpage, and explore the external websites above

Research

External websites: Google Scholar / Scopus / ORCID / PURE

Darren McCauley's research and publications are focused on environmental and energy policy, particularly in the field of energy justice, just transition and sustainability, with his work influencing policy frameworks and strategies at various levels, supported by numerous prestigious funding programmes.

Publications

His work uncovers, interrogates, and develops new policy and regulatory solutions to social and environment inequalities. Conceptually, he has developed the inter-disciplinary frameworks of energy justice, just transition and sustainability with other leading scholars. Empirically, he has used mixed methods approaches to exploring the actions of government, business, and activists, within Europe, and more recently in Africa, Southeast Asia, US and the Arctic.

Academic publication example: McCauley, D. 2025, 'Just circularities: Intersecting livelihoods, technology, and justice in just transition and circular economy', Journal of Cleaner Production

Non-Academic publication example: McCauley, D. (2024) A just and fair energy transition – or no transition at all?, Vattenfall AB

See 'Publications' tab, Scholar and Scopus links above for more

Funding

Research throughout his career has been made possible by a wide range of external sponsors including (among others) British Academy, ESRC, EPSRC, GCRF, H2020 and Horizon Europe funding programmes, Leverhulme, Dutch Council NWO, UK Energy Research Centre, the Carnegie Trust, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Funding Example: 2024-2020, £6,700,000, Towards Just, Equitable and Sustainable Arctic Economies and Societies (JUSTNORTH), Horizon Europe. Details: We aimed to bring the values of Arctic stakeholders to economic development decision-making through understanding current practices, policies, and perspectives of development in the Arctic, by evaluating existing economic activities in 17 case studies.

See ORCID link above for an extensive list

Impact

His research has a wide and deep impact on international and national policies and strategies. It is based upon a continuous engagement with a wide range of diverse external and internal stakeholders, establishing strong links with national and international industry, regulatory bodies, policy makers, and world-leading research institutions.

Impact Example: His research addresses the challenge of quantifying justice metrics for international organisations. This work is crucial in ensuring fair and equitable transitions as the world moves towards sustainable development goals. In McCauley et al. (2022), we developed the DEEPER model to analyse the roles of Arctic states and formal observer states in leading a just transition in the Arctic. This data-driven approach underscores global commitments to justice in this sensitive region. In McCauley et al. (2023), we examined national commitments to a just transition in Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing on region-specific challenges and opportunities. McCauley and Pettigrew (2023) explored strategies to reduce fossil fuel dependence in the Asia-Pacific, offering practical pathways for clean energy investment. These studies provide frameworks for international organisations to implement just transitions.

He has disseminated his research findings to ensure they are impactful and relevant. He presented at the European Commission in Brussels, emphasising the importance of social justice within the European Green Deal. At the ISIE International Conference in Leiden for example, he explored the role of living labs and sustainability. Most recently he addressed the European context of decommissioning at the College of Europe in Bruges. His work has also influenced notable reports. The World Bank's Social Foundations of a Just Coal Transition (2024) and The Relationship between Climate Action and Poverty Reduction (2023) both cite his research. The United Nations Environment Programme's Emissions Gap Report also references his work. These citations demonstrate the influence of his research on international policy discussions. In total, over 200 major international reports have cited his work.

The DEEPER model and method developed in his research have significantly influenced the work of the World Bank and the United Nations Environment Programme. The World Bank has used these tools in its recent reports to assess justice metrics in energy transitions and to align climate initiatives with poverty reduction goals. The United Nations Environment Programme's Emissions Gap Report uses the DEEPER model to evaluate justice metrics in global emission reduction efforts. His research provides these organisations with robust tools to quantify justice, influencing policy and strategic decisions.

Teaching

Prof. McCauley has designed, delivered, coordinated and marked on over 50 courses at 17 universities across the world, including the design and delivery of research-led electives as well as large- and small-scale undergraduate and postgraduate levels, in addition to teaching research methods. He has designed and lead educational programmes at postgraduate and undergraduate level. Please see below for his current teaching at Newcastle Law School.

Current research-led option/elective module teaching Newcastle

His role: design, coordinate, deliver and mark all

LAW8583 : Energy Justice: Theories, Systems, and re-designing policies

This interdisciplinary module enables students to apply justice concepts to energy systems, tackling critical ethical, political, and legal decisions. It covers various energy systems and encourages students to develop practical policy solutions for the energy justice trilemma of accessibility, availability, and sustainability. No prior knowledge is required, and all disciplines are welcome.

LAW8584 : International Environmental Law

The module, 'International Environmental Law', provides a comprehensive exploration of the legal framework that governs environmental concerns on a global scale. This curriculum is meticulously designed to offer an in-depth understanding of the various aspects of this complex and evolving field of law. The module commences with an introduction to International Environmental Law, offering an overview of its principles, sources, and implementation. 

Current compulsory module teaching Newcastle

His role: design, coordinate, deliver and mark

LAW8091 : Legal Research: Theory and Method

This is the preparation module for the dissertation for all LLM students

LAW8099 : Dissertation

This is main LLM module for all Masters students

Current contributions to other modules at Newcastle

His role: contribute teaching only

SCX8000 : Facing up to Climate Change: A Multi-Disciplinary Perspective

This is a module for LLM students across the university

LAW8152 : Applied Research Methods in Law

The module offers advanced research methods training for students wishing to pursue Doctoral level research in Law


Publications