My research explores the role of material and cultural practices in processes of economic organisation and social change. Focusing principally on consumption, these core theoretical concerns are typically operationalised via an interest in the governance of sustainability challenges.

Empirically, much of my research has focused on the agro-food sector but I have also explored materials (for example plastics, textiles), resources (for example energy, water), and issues of waste and disposal.

More recently, my long-standing interests in technologies have evolved to encompass a more explicit emphasis on digitalisation and consumption. Similarly, my long-standing interests in the relationships between consumption and economy have evolved to encompass a more explicit emphasis on financialisation.

I typically work ethnographically although the vast majority of my research involves collaboration with colleagues from a range of methodological and disciplinary – including the natural and physical sciences – backgrounds. 

My current research projects are as follows:

1) I am a CoI and member of the Centre Leadership Team for the ESRC Centre for Sociodigital Futures. I also lead the 'Consuming Futures' Domain - which is focused on the sustainability of current and future practices of home entertainment and communication 

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/fssl/research/sociodigital-futures/

2) I am CoI and member of the Executive Group for UKRI-SPF funded H3 ('Healthy Soil, Healthy Food, Healthy People') programme, which is focused on the transformation of food systems.  I also lead a 'Cross-Cutting Theme' related to consumption, demand and access. My key interest here is in the governance issues that are raised by dietary change intitatives. 

https://www.h3.ac.uk/

3) I am in the early stages of developing work that applies a 'money and finance' sensibility to the study of consumption and consumer society.