Professor in Energy and Climate Governance, Lancaster University
Professor Willis's work focuses on environment, climate and energy policy and politics. In particular, her research explores the relationship between the citizen and state in climate governance. She runs the Climate Citizens project, which examines the role of public enagagement in energy and climate governance, and holds a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship.
In 2019-2020, Willis was an Expert Lead to Climate Assembly UK, the first national Citizens' Assembly on Climate Change, established by six parliamentary select committees in the House of Commons. From 2014-18, in a collaboration with Green Alliance, she investigated how politicians understand and respond to climate change.
Professor Willis is a Trustee of the New Economics Foundation and an adviser to the National Lottery’s Climate Action Fund. From 2015-2019 she was a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of UKRI’s Energy Programme, and from 2011-15 Council Member of the Natural Environment Research Council. Previously she was Vice-Chair of the UK Sustainable Development Commission, advising the Prime Minister and First Ministers of the devolved administrations.