MSc Ecological Economics Applicant Page

Dr. Seb O'Connor

The deputy programme director for the programme is Seb O'Connor. Seb is an interdisciplinary Ecological Economist with a particular interest in environmental philosophy and ethics. As a result, he is interested in the ethical framings of human-nature relationships, and how institutions can better support non-extractive and more reciprocal human-nature dynamics. He explores this through understanding and working with human-nature values to facilitate more democratic and participatory decision-making. This focus on working with plural values lends itself to more qualitative research approaches such as using deliberative, arts-based, participatory and collaborative research methods.   

Seb will be co-organising the Foundations in Ecological Economics course as well as making several appearances over the Environmental Valuation course. He also organises the Centering Racial Justice in Sustainability Transformations course and co-organises the Participation in Policy and Planning course. He will also be the dissertation course organiser for the programme.   

In his spare time, Seb is a keen composter and gardener. He is often swimming (well splashing around) in the sea as well as being a football fan (both playing and watching). He is also trying to get better at surfing when he can, visiting the many beautiful beaches around the East Lothian coastline.