Dr Karen Bell

Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Urban Development (Urban Studies)

Biography

Dr Karen Bell currently researches and teaches Just Transition, environmental justice and intersectional environmental policy. Since 2008, she has been investigating and teaching at the intersection of political, geographical and environmental studies at the School for Politics, International Relations and Environment, Keele University; the School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol; the Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of the West of England and now the School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow. She was awarded a Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy in 2014 and, from 2016-2019, she was an ESRC Future Research Leader Fellow.

Prior to 2008, Dr Bell was a community development coordinator, working alongside disadvantaged communities to address issues such as social inequality, racism, disability discrimination, and environmental exclusion and inequity. From there, she gradually moved into community and environmental research. In 2011, she completed her PhD on Environmental Justice at the School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol.

Since then, she has carried out a number of related research projects. This has included work on ‘Achieving Environmental Justice’ which analysed and compared environmental justice strategies and outcomes in a variety of political, economic and cultural settings, including the US, UK, South Korea, Sweden, China, Bolivia and Cuba. More recent work on ‘Fair and Inclusive Social and Environmental Transition Alternatives’ continues this comparative theme, while emphasising transition paradigms i.e. ‘Green Economy’ and ‘Living Well’ (Vivir Bien). She has also recently carried out qualitative work on ‘Working-Class Environmentalism’ which looks at how to build an environmental movement that is attractive to a wider range of social groups. Her most recent research is at the intersection of Labour and Sustainability studies, in collaboration with Trade Unions. This work is investigation Just Transition in relation to the defence sector in the US and the UK.

Dr Bell has been a Visiting Research Fellow with the United Nations Research Institute on Social Development (2018) and with the Asian Institute of Energy, Environment and Sustainability (2017).

Her research has been funded primarily by the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC); the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the British Academy.

Publications

List by: Type | Date

Jump to: 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2008

Number of items: 63.

2023

Harrington, E., Bell, K. , McEwen, L. and Everett, G. (2023) Is there room on the broom for a crip? Disabled women as experts in disaster planning. Journal of Extreme Events, (doi: 10.1142/S234573762350001X) (Early Online Publication)

Bell, K. , Hickel, J., Arbon, R. and Zoomkawala, H. (2023) Which direction for sustainable development? A time series comparison of the impacts of redistributive versus market policies in Bolivia and South Korea. Sustainable Development, (doi: 10.1002/sd.2592) (Early Online Publication)

Bell, K. (2023) Advancing Working-Class Environmentalism and a Transformative Just Transition. In: International Conference of the Center for Transdisciplinary Gender Studies (ZtG), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 4-6 May 2023,

Bell, K. , Price, V., McLoughlin, K. and Kojola, E. (2023) The necessity of a transformational approach to just transition: defence worker views on decarbonisation, diversification and sustainability. Environmental Politics, (doi: 10.1080/09644016.2023.2199661) (Early Online Publication)

Bell, K. , Hermoza, R. T., Staddon, C., Willems, B., Maldonado, F. C., Berrocal, N. T. and Flores, L. P. (2023) The fences of Chuschi: The impacts of land enclosure on an Andean indigenous community. Journal of Rural Studies, 97, pp. 224-234. (doi: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2022.10.004)

2022

Bell, K. and Reed, M. (2022) The tree of participation: a new model for inclusive decision-making. Community Development Journal, 57(4), pp. 595-614. (doi: 10.1093/cdj/bsab018)

Bell, K. (2022) Increasing undergraduate student satisfaction in Higher Education: the importance of relational pedagogy. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 46(4), pp. 490-503. (doi: 10.1080/0309877X.2021.1985980)

Ahmad, Z., Arya, D., Bell, K. , McGregor, C., Scandrett, E. and Temper, L. (2022) Environmentalism from the margins: interviews with scholar-activists. Community Development Journal, 57(1), pp. 132-166. (doi: 10.1093/cdj/bsab051)

Bell, K. , Price, V., McLoughlin, K. and Cha, M. (2022) Decarbonising and Diversifying Defence in the US and the UK: A Workers’ Enquiry for a Just Transition: Summary Report. Documentation. The British Academy.

Bell, K. , Price, V., McLoughlin, K., Cha, M., Skinner, L., Simpson, K., Jones, R., Raman, A. and Cunningham, Z. (2022) Decarbonising and Diversifying Defence in the US and the UK: A Workers’ Enquiry for a Just Transition: Full Report. Documentation. The British Academy.

2021

Bell, K. and Bevan, G. (2021) Beyond inclusion? Perceptions of the extent to which Extinction Rebellion speaks to, and for, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and working-class communities. Local Environment, 26(10), pp. 1205-1220. (doi: 10.1080/13549839.2021.1970728)

Bell, K. (2021) Working-class environmentalism in the UK: organising for sustainability beyond the workplace. In: Räthzel, N., Stevis, D. and Uzzell, D. (eds.) The Palgrave Handbook of Environmental Labour Studies. Palgrave Macmillan: Cham, pp. 441-463. ISBN 9783030719081 (doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-71909-8_19)

Bell, K. (2021) Green Finance, Climate Justice and Working-Class Environmentalism [Keynote Speaker]. Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy International Climate Finance Workshop, 12 July 2021.

Bell, K. (2021) Environmental Justice, Popular Struggle and Community Development, edited by Anne Harley and Eurig Scandrett, Policy Press, 2019, ISBN: 978-1447350835, 228 pages. Community Development Journal, 56(3), pp. 541-543. (doi: 10.1093/cdj/bsaa016)[Book Review]

Bell, K. and Bevan, G. (2021) The failure of lifestyle environmentalism and the promise of the Green New Deal for working-class people. Journal of Working-Class Studies, 6(1), pp. 5-21. (doi: 10.13001/jwcs.v6i1.6465)

Bell, K. (2021) Class, Race and Environment [Keynote Speaker]. Will Fancy Memorial Lecture, SERA – Labour’s Environment Campaign, 26 June 2021.

Bell, K. (2021) Community Climate Action Book Talk. Community Climate Action Book Talk, Cameron Centre, Lockleaze, 23 June 2021.

Bell, K. (Ed.) (2021) Diversity and Inclusion in Environmentalism. Series: Routledge studies in environmental justice. Routledge: Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY. ISBN 9780367567309

Bell, K. (2021) Policies and change. In: Bell, K. (ed.) Diversity and Inclusion in Environmentalism. Series: Routledge studies in environmental justice. Routledge: Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY, pp. 148-164. ISBN 9780367567309 (doi: 10.4324/9781003099185-10)

Bell, K. (2021) Working-class people, Extinction Rebellion and the environmental movements of the Global North. In: Bell, K. (ed.) Diversity and Inclusion in Environmentalism. Series: Routledge studies in environmental justice. Routledge: Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY, pp. 63-81. ISBN 9780367567309 (doi: 10.4324/9781003099185-5)

Bowman, B., Bell, K. and Alexis-Martin, B. (2021) Youth, climate and environmentalism. In: Bell, K. (ed.) Diversity and Inclusion in Environmentalism. Series: Routledge studies in environmental justice. Routledge: Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY, pp. 132-147. ISBN 9780367567309 (doi: 10.4324/9781003099185-9)

2020

Bell, K. (2020) Working-Class Studies: Beyond the Heartlands, WCSA conference, University of Kent, Canterbury, 3‐6 September 2019 [Conference Review]. International Journal of Media and Cultural Politics, 16(1), pp. 107-110. (doi: 10.1386/macp_00019_7)

Bell, K. (2020) Working-Class Environmentalism: An Agenda for a Just and Fair Transition to Sustainability. Palgrave Macmillan: Cham. ISBN 9783030295189 (doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-29519-6)

Bell, K. (2020) Green New Deal [Keynote Speaker]. Bristol Transformed, Malcolm X Centre, Bristol, 7 March 2020.

Bell, K. (2020) How to Build a More Inclusive Environmental Movement? Issues of Class, Race, and Geography. New Trends in International Climate and Environmental Advocacy, John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, European University Institute, 15 May 2020.

Bell, K. (2020) The Importance of Relational Pedagogy for Student Experience and Inclusion. 1st Symposium on Exploring Expertise in Teaching in Higher Education, University of West of England, Bristol, 16-23 October 2020.

Bell, K. (2020) Working-Class Environmentalism [Keynote Speaker]. National Soil Association, Bristol, 20 January 2020.

2019

Bell, K. (2019) A Working-Class Led Transition to Sustainability. Working Class Studies Association Annual Conference: Beyond the Heartlands, University of Kent, Canterbury, 3-6 September 2019.

Bell, K. (2019) Involving Working-Class People in the Transition to Sustainability. Royal Geographical Society Annual Conference: Geographies of Trouble/Geographies of Hope, London, UK, 27-30 September 2019.

2018

Bell, K. (2018) Inclusive, Just and Effective Transition: Comparing Market-Based and Redistributive Approaches. 20th International Conference on Environmental Politics, New York, USA, 8-9 October 2018.

Bell, K. (2018) Insults, Injuries and Resistance: Social Class and Transition to Sustainability. 20th International Conference on Environmental Politics, New York, USA, 8-9 October 2018.

Kitson, J., Williamson, S.J., Harper, P.W., McMahon, C.A., Rosenberg, G., Tierney, M.J., Bell, K. and Gautam, B. (2018) Modelling of an expandable, reconfigurable, renewable DC microgrid for off-grid communities. Energy, 160, pp. 142-153. (doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2018.06.219)

Bell, K. (2018) Social Equality and Sustainable Society. Workshop on Environment and Society 2018, Institute of Philosophy, Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, Cuba, Havana, 29-31 May 2018.

Bell, K. (2018) The Importance of Equality for Achieving Sustainable Development. 4th International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD 2018) AITNER, Athens, Greece, 11-15 April 2018.

2017

Pemberton, S., Fahmy, E., Sutton, E. and Bell, K. (2017) Endless pressure: life on a low income in austere times. Social Policy and Administration, 51(7), pp. 1156-1173. (doi: 10.1111/spol.12233)

Bell, K. (2017) Gender and the environment, by Nicole Detraz, Cambridge, Polity, 2017, 240 pp., £15.99 (paperback), ISBN-13: 978-0-7456-6832-1. Environmental Education Research, 23(10), pp. 1510-1512. (doi: 10.1080/13504622.2017.1324619)[Book Review]

Edwards, R., Phoenix, A., Gordon, D., Bell, K. , Elliott, H. and Fahmy, E. (2017) How paradata can illuminate technical, social and professional role changes between the Poverty in the UK (1967/1968) and Poverty and Social Exclusion in the UK (2012) surveys. Quality and Quantity, 51(6), pp. 2457-2473. (doi: 10.1007/s11135-016-0403-5) (PMID:29070914) (PMCID:PMC5635069)

Bell, K. (2017) The dawn of environmental justice? The record of left and socialist governance in Central and South America. In: Holifield, R., Chakraborty, J. and Walker, G. (eds.) The Routledge Handbook of Environmental Justice. Series: Routledge handbooks. Routledge: Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY, pp. 543-555. ISBN 9781138932821 (doi: 10.4324/9781315678986-43)

Bell, K. (2017) Rob White (2014), Environmental Harm: An eco-justice perspective, Bristol: Policy Press, £24.99, pp. 216, pbk. Journal of Social Policy, 46(2), pp. 409-411. (doi: 10.1017/S0047279416000878)[Book Review]

Fahmy, E. and Bell, K. (2017) Using paradata to evaluate survey quality: behaviour coding the 2012 PSE-UK survey. In: Edwards, R., Goodwin, J., O'Connor, H. and Phoenix, A. (eds.) Working with Paradata, Marginalia and Fieldnotes: the Centrality of By-Products of Social Research. Edward Elgar Publishing: Cheltenham, UK ; Northampton, Massachusetts, USA, pp. 40-60. ISBN 9781784715243 (doi: 10.4337/9781784715250.00009)

Bell, K. (2017) Living well within planetary limits: a comparative analysis of contrasting paradigms for achieving quality of life in South Korea and Bolivia. In: Valverde Viesca, K., Gutiérrez Márquez, E., Flores, A. and González Martínez, C. A. (eds.) Ciudadanía y calidad de vida : debates, retos y experiencias en torno al desarrollo social en México y América Latina = Citizenship and Quality of Life: Debates, Challenges and Experiences Regarding Social Development in Mexico and Latin America. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México: Ciudad de México, pp. 30-45. ISBN 9786070299872

Bell, K. (2017) ‘Living well’ as a path to social, ecological and economic sustainability. Urban Planning, 2(4), pp. 19-33. (doi: 10.17645/up.v2i4.1006)

Kitson, J., Williamson, S. J., Harper, P., McMahon, C. M., Rosenberg, G., Tierney, M. and Bell, K. (2017) A Photovoltaic Panel Modelling Method for Flexible Implementation in Matlab/Simulink using Datasheet Quantities. In: 2017 IEEE 26th International Symposium on Industrial Electronics (ISIE), Edinburgh, UK, 19-21 June 2017, pp. 946-951. ISBN 9781509014125 (doi: 10.1109/ISIE.2017.8001373)

2016

Bell, K. (2016) Green economy or living well? Assessing divergent paradigms for equitable eco-social transition in South Korea and Bolivia. Journal of Political Ecology, 23(1), pp. 71-92. (doi: 10.2458/v23i1.20180)

Bell, K. (2016) Bread and roses: a gender perspective on environmental justice and public health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(10), 1005. (doi: 10.3390/ijerph13101005) (PMID:27754351) (PMCID:PMC5086744)

Pemberton, S., Fahmy, E., Sutton, E. and Bell, K. (2016) Navigating the stigmatised identities of poverty in austere times: Resisting and responding to narratives of personal failure. Critical Social Policy, 36(1), pp. 21-37. (doi: 10.1177/0261018315601799)

Bell, K. (2016) Proving the Economic Value of Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector Infrastructure Support Organisations. Project Report. University of Bristol, School for Policy Studies.

Bell, K. , Fahmy, E. and Gordon, D. (2016) Quantitative conversations: the importance of developing rapport in standardised interviewing. Quality and Quantity, 50, pp. 193-212. (doi: 10.1007/s11135-014-0144-2) (PMID:26792949) (PMCID:PMC4705135)

2015

Bell, K. (2015) Can the capitalist economic system deliver environmental justice? Environmental Research Letters, 10(12), 125017. (doi: 10.1088/1748-9326/10/12/125017)

Berridge, D., Bell, K. , Sebba, J. and Luke, N. (2015) The Educational Progress of Looked After Children in England Technical Report 3: Perspectives of Young People, Social Workers, Carers and Teachers. Documentation. University of Oxford Department of Education/University of Bristol.

Sebba, J., Berridge, D., Like, N., Fletcher, J., Bell, K. , Strand, S., Thomas, S., Sinclair, I. and O'Higgins, A. (2015) The Educational Progress of Looked after Children in England: Linking Care and Educational Data. Documentation. University of Oxford and University of Bristol.

Cemlyn, S. and Bell, K. (2015) Generating solidarity around human rights, equality and social justice. In: Beyond 2015: Shaping the Future of Equality, Human Rights and Social Justice. Equality and Diversity Forum: London, pp. 42-52.

2014

Bell, K. and Cemlyn, S. (2014) Developing public support for human rights in the United Kingdom: reasserting the importance of socio-economic rights. International Journal of Human Rights, 18(7-8), pp. 822-841. (doi: 10.1080/13642987.2014.951339)

Pemberton, S., Sutton, E., Fahmy, E. and Bell, K. (2014) Life on a Low Income in Austere Times. Working Paper. Poverty and Social Exclusion.

Bell, K. (2014) Degrowth for sustainability, equality and poverty reduction: some lessons from Cuba. In: Fitzpatrick, T. (ed.) International Handbook on Social Policy and the Environment. Edward Elgar, pp. 249-273. ISBN 9780857936127 (doi: 10.4337/9780857936134.00016)

Bell, K. (2014) Achieving Environmental Justice: a Cross-National Analysis. Policy Press: Bristol. ISBN 9781447305941 (doi: 10.1332/policypress/9781447305941.001.0001)

2013

Bell, K. and Sweeting, D. (2013) Waste collection as an environmental justice issue: a case study of a neighbourhood in Bristol, UK. In: Zapata, M. J. and Hall, M. (eds.) Organising Waste in the City: International Perspectives on Narratives and Practices. Policy Press: Bristol, pp. 201-223. ISBN 9781447306375 (doi: 10.51952/9781447306382.ch011)

Bell, K. (2013) Doing qualitative fieldwork in Cuba: social research in politically sensitive locations. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 16(2), pp. 109-124. (doi: 10.1080/13645579.2011.653217)

2012

Bell, K. , Cemlyn, S., Morgan, K. and Murray, R. (2012) Public Attitudes to Human Rights. Documentation. Equality and Diversity Forum, London.

Bell, K. , Cemlyn, S., Morgan, K. and Murray, R. (2012) Public Attitudes to Human Rights - Data Synthesis. Documentation. Equality and Diversity Forum, London.

2011

Bell, K. (2011) Environmental justice in Cuba. Critical Social Policy, 31(2), pp. 241-265. (doi: 10.1177/0261018310396032)

2008

Bell, K. (2008) Achieving environmental justice in the United Kingdom: a case study of Lockleaze, Bristol. Environmental Justice, 1(4), pp. 203-210. (doi: 10.1089/env.2008.0527)

This list was generated on Wed Sep 27 14:33:15 2023 BST.

Number of items: 63.

Articles

Bell, K. and Reed, M. (2022) The tree of participation: a new model for inclusive decision-making. Community Development Journal, 57(4), pp. 595-614. (doi: 10.1093/cdj/bsab018)

Pemberton, S., Fahmy, E., Sutton, E. and Bell, K. (2017) Endless pressure: life on a low income in austere times. Social Policy and Administration, 51(7), pp. 1156-1173. (doi: 10.1111/spol.12233)

Bell, K. (2017) ‘Living well’ as a path to social, ecological and economic sustainability. Urban Planning, 2(4), pp. 19-33. (doi: 10.17645/up.v2i4.1006)

Bell, K. (2015) Can the capitalist economic system deliver environmental justice? Environmental Research Letters, 10(12), 125017. (doi: 10.1088/1748-9326/10/12/125017)

Bell, K. (2011) Environmental justice in Cuba. Critical Social Policy, 31(2), pp. 241-265. (doi: 10.1177/0261018310396032)

Bell, K. (2008) Achieving environmental justice in the United Kingdom: a case study of Lockleaze, Bristol. Environmental Justice, 1(4), pp. 203-210. (doi: 10.1089/env.2008.0527)

Books

Bell, K. (2020) Working-Class Environmentalism: An Agenda for a Just and Fair Transition to Sustainability. Palgrave Macmillan: Cham. ISBN 9783030295189 (doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-29519-6)

Bell, K. (2014) Achieving Environmental Justice: a Cross-National Analysis. Policy Press: Bristol. ISBN 9781447305941 (doi: 10.1332/policypress/9781447305941.001.0001)

Book Sections

Book Reviews

Edited Books

Bell, K. (Ed.) (2021) Diversity and Inclusion in Environmentalism. Series: Routledge studies in environmental justice. Routledge: Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY. ISBN 9780367567309

Research Reports or Papers

Bell, K. (2016) Proving the Economic Value of Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector Infrastructure Support Organisations. Project Report. University of Bristol, School for Policy Studies.

Pemberton, S., Sutton, E., Fahmy, E. and Bell, K. (2014) Life on a Low Income in Austere Times. Working Paper. Poverty and Social Exclusion.

Bell, K. , Cemlyn, S., Morgan, K. and Murray, R. (2012) Public Attitudes to Human Rights. Documentation. Equality and Diversity Forum, London.

Bell, K. , Cemlyn, S., Morgan, K. and Murray, R. (2012) Public Attitudes to Human Rights - Data Synthesis. Documentation. Equality and Diversity Forum, London.

Conference or Workshop Item

Bell, K. (2021) Class, Race and Environment [Keynote Speaker]. Will Fancy Memorial Lecture, SERA – Labour’s Environment Campaign, 26 June 2021.

Bell, K. (2021) Community Climate Action Book Talk. Community Climate Action Book Talk, Cameron Centre, Lockleaze, 23 June 2021.

Bell, K. (2020) Green New Deal [Keynote Speaker]. Bristol Transformed, Malcolm X Centre, Bristol, 7 March 2020.

Bell, K. (2020) Working-Class Environmentalism [Keynote Speaker]. National Soil Association, Bristol, 20 January 2020.

Bell, K. (2019) A Working-Class Led Transition to Sustainability. Working Class Studies Association Annual Conference: Beyond the Heartlands, University of Kent, Canterbury, 3-6 September 2019.

Bell, K. (2018) Insults, Injuries and Resistance: Social Class and Transition to Sustainability. 20th International Conference on Environmental Politics, New York, USA, 8-9 October 2018.

Bell, K. (2018) The Importance of Equality for Achieving Sustainable Development. 4th International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD 2018) AITNER, Athens, Greece, 11-15 April 2018.

Conference Proceedings

This list was generated on Wed Sep 27 14:33:15 2023 BST.

Grants

‘Decarbonising and Diversifying Defence: A Workers’ Enquiry for a Just Transition’ British Academy (£97,071, 2021, as PI)

‘Race, Class and Environmentalism in a time Crisis’ Faculty of Environment and Technology Enterprise Fund (£1,000, 2020, as PI)

‘Developing Multi-Dimensional Indicators for Living Well (Vivir Bien)’ Cabot Innovation Fund (£4,000, 2018, as PI)

‘Socially Just Transitions to Sustainability’ IAS Benjamin Meaker Award (£1,400, 2016, as PI)

‘System Design of an Expandable, Reconfigurable, and Integrated Renewable Energy Microgrid’ EPSRC Global Challenges Fund (£85,466, 2016, as Co-I)

‘Environmental Governance for Sustainable Urban Transformation’ British Council, Newton Fund (£3,000, 2016, as PI)

‘Transition Engineering: Exploring future pathways to sustainable resource consumption’ Cabot Institute Innovation Award (£1,000, 2016, as Co-I)

‘Fair and Inclusive Environmental/Social Transition Alternatives: Learning from the 'Living Well' and 'Green Economy' pathways to sustainability’ ESRC Future Leaders (£196,261, 2016-2019, as PI)

‘Green Economy in Korea’ Asian Development Institute (£2,000, 2015, as PI)

‘Evaluation of ELHNM’ ELH Neighbourhood Management (£8,000, 2014, as PI)

‘Achieving Environmental Justice’ Santander Travel Award (£1,500, 2013, as PI)

‘Public Attitudes to Human Rights’ Equalities and Diversity Forum (£30,000, 2012-2013, as Co-I)

‘Proving Our Value: Measuring the Economic Value of the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector’ South West Forum/Big Lottery (£65,000, 2011-2013, as Co-I)

‘Aspirations, Opportunities and Challenges for Young People in St. Pauls’ St. Pauls Unlimited Community Partnership (£10,000, 2011, as PI)

‘Living Well in Lockleaze’ Bristol Green Capital (£5,000, 2011, as PI)

'Environmental Justice: Lesssons from Cuba' ESRC 1+3 Studentship (£60,000, 2006-2010)

Supervision

Tang, Tianyi
Urban greening-induced gentrification: a socio-environmental justice perspective’

We use cookies

Necessary cookies

Analytics cookies

Hotjar and Clarity