The Green Review

Universities play a crucial role in achieving a sustainable future, especially through their research. Considering this, we are excited to highlight individuals and groups at UNB that have dedicated their time to pursuing sustainability-related research.

Our newest Sustainability Research Champion is Dr. David Foord.

Overview of your research

I do both historical and social science research. The historical research focuses on change and continuity in technological industries. My publications began with powered bionic hands and then expanded to oil and gas, electrical power and telecommunication industries.

In these histories I consider change and continuity broadly, including the role of users, research and development, innovation and entrepreneurship, business, government and social movements, among other topics.

How does your work intersect with sustainability?

This historical research has informed my social science studies in sustainability. Here, the contributions are not just new archival materials and historical narratives, but also contributions to understanding decarbonization transition pathways and implications for policy and management.

Like my historical work, this social science research focuses on questions about social and technological change. Past publications have examined how energy innovation occurs within power generation and lighting technologies, the creation of national carbon labeling programs and firm level best practices in the energy transition.

What impact do you hope this research will have?

I hope my research is useful for my partners and in teaching. I collaborate or have my research funded by organizations that are planning decarbonization pathways. These include the federal government, Government of New Brunswick, City of Fredericton, NB Power, Emera, Smart Grid Innovation Network and NetZero Atlantic.

The most recent external support is from the Wilson-Mckenna Fellowship. The fellowship allowed me to hire a postdoctoral fellow with experience in the Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) industry.

Together we are conducting research on a number of topics, including identification of indicators for decarbonization in the electric power industry. We have also developed a course on ESG for the Faculty of Management BBA and MBA programs, as well as a short course for industry.

Contact Dr. David Foord for more information.

Know someone who should be a Sustainability Research Champion? Let us know at sustain@unb.ca.