Leslie Mabon – Curriculum Vitae
1. Personal
Lecturer in Environmental Systems, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA United Kingdom
Telephone: +0044(0)7864 006 762
ORCID: 0000-0003-2646-6119
E-mail: leslie.mabon@open.ac.uk
Web: resilientcoastal.zone (personal) | urbangreenadaptationdiary.wordpress.com (collaborative)
Twitter: @ljmabon |
Research Interests: environmental social science; community resilience to natural hazards and climate risks; interdisciplinary research on environmental issues; socio-cultural dimensions of environmental change; environmental governance and management.
Languages: English (native), Japanese (advanced – JLPT N2), German (advanced), French (intermediate), Chinese (basic).
Qualifications
PhD Geography, University of Edinburgh (2012);
MSc by Research Human Geography (Distinction), University of Edinburgh (2008);
MA (Hons) Geography (First Class), University of Edinburgh (2007).
2. External recognition and indicators of esteem
Member of UK delegation, G7 Summit – One Health, November 21-23, 2022, Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada (November 2022);
Ambassador for National Centre for Resilience Scotland (2022-present);
Lead author, British Academy COP26 Briefing on Nature-Based Solutions and the Green Economy (November 2021);
Member of Royal Society of Edinburgh Young Academy of Scotland, 2018-present;
Future Earth Coasts Fellow, 2020-present;
Selected participant for European Crucible, Luxembourg, 2020;
Editorial Board Member: Sustainability Science (SCIE); 2021-present.
3. Publications
3(a) Full list of peer-reviewed journal papers
52 peer-reviewed publications, 39 as lead or corresponding author.
Mabon L and Kawabe M (2022) Social media within digitalisation for coastal resilience: The case of coastal fisheries in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Ocean & Coastal Management, 232, article no. 106440. DOI: 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2022.106440
Mabon L (2022) Football and climate change: what do we know, and what is needed for an evidence-informed response? Climate Policy 10.1080/14693062.2022.2147895
Mabon L and Kawabe M (2022) Opinion: Bring Voices from the Coast into the Fukushima Treated Water Debate Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences DOI: 10.1007/s11625-022-01196-x
Wuor M and Mabon L (2022) Short Communication: Development of Liberia’s fisheries sectors: Current status and future needs Marine Policy, 146, Article 105325 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105325;
Mabon, L, Barkved, L, de Bruin, K, and Shih, W-Y (2022) ‘Whose knowledge counts in nature-based solutions? Understanding epistemic justice for nature-based solutions through a multi-city comparison across Europe and Asia’ Environmental Science and Policy DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2022.07.025;
Stalker L, Roberts JJ, Mabon L, and Hartley P (2022) ‘Communicating Leakage Risk in the Hydrogen Economy: Lessons Already Learned From Geoenergy Industries’ Frontiers Energy Research DOI: 10.3389/fenrg.2022.869264;
Mabon L, Shih W-Y and Jou S-C (2022) ‘Integration of knowledge systems in urban farming initiatives: insight from Taipei Garden City’ Sustainability Science DOI: 10.1007/s11625-022-01196-x;
Baka A and Mabon L (2022). ‘Assessing equality in neighbourhood availability of quality greenspace in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom.’ Landscape Research DOI: 10.1080/01426397.2022.2051458;
Mabon, L and Shih, W-Y (2022) ‘Identifying factors contributing to social vulnerability through a deliberative Q-Sort process: an application to heat vulnerability in Taiwan’ Natural Hazards DOI: 10.1007/s11069-022-05280-4;
Mabon, L and Shih, W-Y (2021) ‘Is there a case for recognising Taiwan at the international science-policy interface for climate change?’ Frontiers in Climate DOI: 10.3389/fclim.2021.750443
Shih, W-Y, and Mabon, L (2021) ‘Understanding Heat Vulnerability in the Subtropics: Insights from Expert Judgements’ International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102463;
Huang, Y-C and Mabon L (2021) ‘Making sense of how proponents conspire to thwart environmental impact assessment processes: insights from the Miramar Resort controversy in Taiwan’ Journal of Environmental Planning and Management DOI: 10.1080/09640568.2021.1944846;
Mabon, L, and Shih, W-Y (2021) ‘Urban greenspace as a climate change adaptation strategy for subtropical Asian cities: a comparative study across cities in three countries’ Global Environmental Change DOI: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2021.102248
Gonzalez, A, Mabon, L, and Agarwal, A (2021) ‘Who wants North Sea CCS, and why? Assessing differences in opinion between oil and gas industry respondents and wider energy and environmental stakeholders’ International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control DOI: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2021.103288;
Fan, M-F, Chiu, C-M, and Mabon L (2020) ‘Environmental justice and the politics of pollution: the case of the Formosa Ha Tinh Steel pollution incident in Vietnam’ Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space DOI: 10.1177/2514848620973164;
Kondo, K, Mabon, L, Bi, Y, Chen, Y, and Hayabuchi, Y (2020) ‘Balancing conflicting mitigation and adaptation behaviours of urban residents under climate change and the urban heat island effect’ Sustainable Cities and Society DOI: 10.1016/j.scs.2020.102585;
Huang, Y-C and Mabon L (2020) ‘Coastal landscapes, sustainable consumption and peripheral communities: evaluating the Miramar Resort controversy in Shanyuan Bay, Taiwan’ Marine Policy DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2020.104283;
Mabon, L, Kawabe, M, Huang, Y-C, Moller, L, Gu, J, Wakamori, D, Narita, K, Ito, T, Matsumoto, A, Niizeki, K, Suzuki, S, and Watanabe, M (2020) ‘Inherent resilience, major marine environmental change and revitalisation of coastal communities in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan’ International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101852;
Mabon, L, Nguyen Song Tung, Pham Thi Tram, Tran Thi Tuyet, Doan Thi Thu Huong, Le Hong Ngoc, Hoang Thi Ngoc Ha, Mueller-Hirth, N, and Vertigans, S (2020) ‘Elaborating a people-centered approach to understanding sustainable livelihoods under climate and environmental change: Thang Binh District, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam’ Sustainability Science DOI: 10.1007/s11625-020-00861-3;
Mabon, L (2020) ‘A historical approach to understanding governance of extreme urban heat in Fukuoka, Japan’ Disaster Prevention and Management DOI: 10.1108/DPM-01-2020-0010;
Mabon, L, Kita, J, Onchi, H, Kawabe, M, Katano, T, Kohno, H, and Huang, Y-C (2020) ‘What natural and social scientists need from each other for effective marine environmental assessment: insights from collaborative research on the Tomakomai CCS Demonstration Project’ Marine Pollution Bulletin DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111520;
Mabon L (2020) ‘Environmental justice in urban greening for subtropical Asian cities: the view from Taipei’ Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography DOI: 10.1111/sjtg.12341;
Shih, W-Y, Ahmad, S, Chen, Y-C, Lin, T-P, and Mabon, L (2020) ‘Spatial Relationship between Land Development Pattern and Intra-Urban Thermal Variations in Taipei’ Sustainable Cities and Society DOI: 10.1016/j.scs.2020.102415
Carver R, Childs J, Steinberg P, Mabon L, Matsuda H, Squire R, McLellan B and Esteban M (2020) ‘A critical social perspective on deep sea mining: Lessons from the emergent industry in Japan’ Ocean and Coastal Management DOI: 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105242;
Huang, Y-C, Fan, M-F, Yang, C-Y, and Mabon, L (2020) ‘Social science studies of the environment in Taiwan: what can the international community learn from work published within Taiwan?’ Local Environment DOI: 10.1080/13549839.2019.1693987;
Mabon L (2020) ‘Making climate information services accessible to communities: what can we learn from environmental risk communication research?’ Urban Climate DOI: 10.1016/j.uclim.2019.100537
Swennenhuis, F, Mabon, L, Flach, T, and de Coninck, H (2019) ‘What role for CCS in delivering Just Transitions? An evaluation of the North Sea Region’ International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control DOI: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2019.102903;
Shih WY, Mabon L and Puppim de Oliveira J (2019) ‘Assessing Barriers to Local Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Governance through an International Survey’ Land Use Policy DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2019.104291;
Alcalde J, Heinemann N, Mabon L, Worden R, de Coninck H, Robertson H, Maver M, Ghanbari S, Swennenhuis F, Mann I, Walker T, Gomersal S, Bond C, Allen M, Haszeldine S, James A, Mackay E, Brownsort P, Faulkner D and Murphy S (2019) ‘Acorn: Developing Full-chain Industrial Carbon Capture and Storage in a Resource- and Infrastructure-Rich Hydrocarbon Province’ Journal of Cleaner Production 233: 963-971.
Mabon L, Kondo K, Kanekiyo H, Hayabuchi Y and Yamaguchi A (2019) Fukuoka: Adapting to climate change through urban green space and the built environment?’ Cities DOI 10.1016/j.cities.2019.05.007;
Mabon L, Shih WY, Kondo K, Kanekiyo H and Hayabuchi Y (2019) ‘What is the role of epistemic communities in local climate change adaptation? Understanding the evolving relationship between research and policy for the planned environment in Fukuoka City, Japan’ Geoforum DOI: 10.1016/j.geoforum.2019.04.024
Mabon L (2019) ‘Enhancing post-disaster resilience by ‘building back greener’: evaluating the contribution of nature-based solutions to recovery planning in Futaba County, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan’ Landscape and Urban Planning DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2019.03.013;
Yuill, C, Mueller-Hirth, N, Nguyen Song Tung, Nguyen Thi Kim Dung, Pham Thi Tram and Mabon, L (2019) ‘Landscape and wellbeing: a conceptual framework and an example’ Health 23(2): 122-138;
Mabon, L and Shih, W-Y (2018) ‘Mapping the socio-political landscape of heat mitigation through urban greenspaces: the case of Taipei Metropolis’ Environment and Urbanization DOI: 10.1177/0956247818767318
Mabon, L and Shih, W-Y (2018) ‘What might ‘just green enough’ urban development mean in the context of climate change adaptation? The case of Taipei Metropolis, Taiwan’ World Development DOI:10.1016/j.worlddev.2018.02.035;
Yin, BCL, Laing, R, Leon, M, and Mabon, L (2018) ‘An evaluation of sustainable construction perceptions and practices in Singapore’ Sustainable Cities and Society DOI: 10.1016/j.scs.2018.03.024;
Mabon L, Nguyen Song Tung, Nguyen Thi Kim Dung, Pham Thi Tram, Cao Thi Thanh Nga, Le Thu Quynh, Dang Thanh Trung, Nguyen Thi Huyen Thu, Nguyen Thi Bich Nguyet, Le Hong Ngoc, Tran Thi Tuyet, Bui Thi Cam Tu, Tran Ngoc Anh, Mueller-Hirth N and Yuill C (2018) ‘Bringing social and cultural considerations into environmental management for vulnerable coastal communities: responses to environmental change in Xuan Thuy National Park, Nam Dinh Province, Vietnam’ Ocean and Coastal Management DOI: 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2018.03.022;
Mabon, L and Shih, W-Y (2018) ‘Management of sustainability transitions through planning in shrinking resource city contexts: an evaluation of Yubari City, Japan’ Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning DOI: 10.1080/1523908X.2018.1443004;
Shih, W-Y and Mabon, L (2017) ‘Land use planning as a tool for balancing the scientific and the social in biodiversity and ecosystem services mainstreaming? The case of Durban, South Africa.’ Journal of Environmental Planning and Management DOI: 10.1080/09640568.2017.1394277;
Mabon, L, Kita, J and Xue, Z (2017) ‘Challenges for social impact assessment in coastal regions: a case study of the Tomakomai CCS project’ Marine Policy 83: 243-251;
Mabon, L and Kawabe, M (2017) ‘Making sense of complexity in risk governance in post-disaster Fukushima fisheries: a scalar approach’ Environmental Science and Policy 75: 173-183;
Mabon, L (2016) ‘Using Google Street View to chart disaster recovery: a social science perspective on challenges and limitations raised by the case of the Fukushima nuclear disaster’ International Journal of Disaster Risk Science 7 (2): 175-185;
Mabon, L and Kawabe, M (2016) ‘Engagement on risk and uncertainty – lessons from coastal regions of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan after the 2011 disaster?’ Journal of Risk Research DOI: 10.1080/13669877.2016.1200658;
Mabon, L and Littlecott, C (2016) ‘Stakeholder and public perceptions of CO2-EOR in the context of CCS – results from UK focus groups and implications for policy’ International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control 49: 128-137;
Mabon, L and Kawabe, M (2015) ‘Fisheries in Iwaki after the Fukushima Dai’ichi nuclear accident: lessons for coastal management under conditions of high uncertainty?’ Coastal Management 43 (5): 498-518;
Mabon, L, Shackley, S, Blackford, J, Stahl, H and Miller, A (2015) ‘Local perceptions of the QICS experimental offshore CO2 release: results from social science research’ International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control 38: 18-25;
Mabon, L, Shackley, S, Vercelli, S, Anderlucci, J, and Boot, K (2015) ‘Deliberative decarbonisation? Exploring a framework of ethical governance for low-carbon energy’ Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy 33 (2): 256-271;
Kaiser, M, Brunsting, S, Mastop, J, Zimmer, R, Shackley, S, Mabon, L, and Howell, R (2015) ‘CCS acceptability: social site characterization and advancing awareness at prospective storage sites in Poland and Scotland’ Oil and Gas Science and Technology 70 (4): 767-784;
Mabon, L, and Shackley, S (2015) ‘More than meeting the targets? The ethical dimensions of carbon dioxide capture and storage’ Environmental Values 24: 465-482;
Howell, R, Shackley, S, Mabon, L, Ashworth, P, and Jeanneret, T (2014) ‘Engaging the public with low-carbon energy technologies: results from a Scottish large group process’ Energy Policy 66: 496-506;
Mabon, L, Shackley, S, and Bower-Bir, N (2014) ‘Perceptions of sub-seabed carbon dioxide storage in Scotland and implications for policy: A qualitative study’ Marine Policy 45: 9-15;
Mabon, L (2012) ‘Values, places and bodies: opportunities for forging a deeper understanding of public perceptions of CCS?’ Energy and Environment 23 (2-3): 329-343.
3(b) Short communications and contributions to edited collections
Mabon, L (2022) ‘Governing the Urban Climate in Fukuoka City, Japan: What Can a Policy Narrative Approach Teach Us?’ in Miyauchi T and Fukunaga M (eds) Adaptive Participatory Environmental Governance in Japan : Local Experiences, Global Lessons Springer Japan: Tokyo. ISBN:
978-981-16-2508-4
Mabon, L (2021) ‘Taiwan’s status at the science-policy interface for climate change: why getting it right matters’ Taiwan Insight https://taiwaninsight.org/2021/11/10/taiwans-status-at-the-science-policy-interface-for-global-climate-change-why-getting-it-right-matters/
Mabon, L (2021) ‘Steel, Identity and Sustainability in the Steelmaking City of Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan’ in Miskell L and Almond G (eds) Shaped by Steel: Landscapes, Lives and Legacies of a Global Industry Swansea University: Swansea 98-105. ISBN 978-1-5272-9976-4 https://online.flippingbook.com/view/345089148/106/
Mabon L and Kawabe M (2021) ‘Fighting against harmful rumours, or for fisheries? Evaluating framings and narrations of risk governance in marine radiation after the Fukushima nuclear accident’ in Cortesi L and Joy KJ (eds) Split Waters: Examining Water Conflicts and Their Narration Routledge: London 51-68;
Shih W-Y and Mabon L (2021) ‘Green Spaces as a Counter Measure to Mitigate Urban Heat Island Effect’ In: Ito, K. (ed), Urban Biodiversity and Ecological Design for Future Cities Springer: New York 335-352;
(as Corresponding Author) ‘Short Communication: Climate change, marginalised communities and considered debate within Scotland’s climate emergency’ Scottish Geographical Journal DOI: 10.1080/14702541.2020.1834335;
Shih W-Y and Mabon L (2020) ‘Ways of creating usable, multipurpose greenspace in impoverished settlements in cities of the Global South: Urban Growth, Green Infrastructure Loss and Spatial Inequity under Climate Change in Hanoi, Vietnam’ In Douglas I et al (eds) Routledge Handbook of Urban Ecology (Second Edition) Routledge: London 1007-1026;
Mabon L (2018) ‘Balancing industry, identity and the environment: how a carbon-intensive city in northern Japan is narrating a low-carbon transition’ RSA Regions Volume 2:
https://regions.regionalstudies.org/ezine/article/balancing-industry-identity-and-the-environment-how-a-carbon-intensive-city-in-northern-japan-is-narrating-a-low-carbon-transition/ DOI : 10.1080/13673882.2018.00001016
Mabon L and Shih W-Y (2018) ‘Getting Buy-in for Climate Change Adaptation through Urban Planning: Climate Change Communication as a Two-way Process’ In: Leal W, Azeiteiro U, Manolas E, and Azul A.M (eds) Handbook of Climate Change Communication Springer: New York pp 61-75;
Gough C, Mabon L and Mander S (2018) ‘Social and ethical dimensions’ in Gough C, Thornley P, Mander S, Vaughan N and Lea-Langton A (eds) Biomass Energy and Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS): Unlocking Negative Emissions Wiley: Chichester pp251-276;
Mabon, L, and Kawabe, M (2017) ‘‘If over a hundred Becquerels is no good, then what does fifty Becquerels mean?’ Governing fisheries and marine radiation in Japan after the Fukushima nuclear accident’ in Baghel, R, Stepan, L, and Hill, J (eds) Water, Knowledge and the Environment in Asia: Epistemologies, Practices and Locales Earthscan: London pp19-35;
Mabon, L (2016) ‘Responsible risk-taking, or – how might CSR be responsive to the nature of contemporary risks? Reflections on sub-seabed carbon dioxide storage in Scotland and marine radioactive contamination in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan’ in Vertigans, S and Idowu, S (eds) Corporate Social Responsibility: Academic Insights and Impacts Springer: New York pp205-222;
Mabon, L (2015) ‘Radioactivity and the city – what might Iwaki in Japan tell us about life under major environmental change?’ in Condie J and A-M Cooper (eds) Dialogues of Sustainable Urbanisation University of West Sydney: Pentrith, NSW pp278-281.
Mabon, L (2014) ‘Respect for nature at 200 km/h? Exploring the role of lifestyle mobilities in environmental responsibility’ in Duncan T, S Cohen and M Thulemark (eds) Lifestyle Mobilities and Corporealities Ashgate: Farnham pp239-252;
Mabon, L and Shackley, S (2013) ‘Sweeping it under the carpet? The ethical dimensions of carbon capture and storage’ in International Social Science Council/UNESCO (ed) World Social Science Report 2013 ISSC/UNESCO/OECD: Paris pp 396-400;
Mabon, L (2011) ‘Pragmatism, powersliding and participation: linking environmental ethics theory with practice’ in Center for Applied Ethics and Philosophy (ed) Applied Ethics: Old Wine in New Bottles Hokkaido University: Sapporo pp 122-137.
4. Research grants obtained
2023 – Japan Foundation Endowment Committee – Bringing voices from the coast into the Fukushima Dai’ichi treated water debate;
2022-24 – British Academy International Interdisciplinary Research – Urban Greening for Heat-Resilient Neighbourhoods (Principal Investigator, Co-Is Ming Chuan University and Climate Ready Clyde) (£174,000)
2021-22 – British Academy Just Transitions to Decarbonisation in the Asia-Pacific – Just transitions to a net-zero sustainable society in Japan (Principal Investigator, Co-Is Kyushu University and Kyoto University) (£74,000)
2021-23 – ESRC-MOST UK-Taiwan Networking Grants – Urban greening for climate-resilient neighbourhoods (Co-Principal Investigator with Ming-Chuan University) (£23,000 + match-funding from MOST)
2021-22 – British Academy Sandpit Funding – Just Transitions in Biodiversity Governance (Co-Principal Investigator; Lead Institution University of Bristol) (£15,491)
2020-21 – Scottish Government/Royal Society of Edinburgh Scotland Asia Partnerships in Higher Education Grant (Principal Investigator) Building back better and a just transition – linking rural communities in Japan and Scotland (£7,900)
2019-23 – EPSRC Research Grant – Hydrogen Storage in Porous Media (Co-Investigator; Principal Investigator Prof Stuart Haszeldine, University of Edinburgh) (Co-I share £127,000)
2018-20 – ESRC-AHRC UK-Japan Social Sciences and Humanities Connections – Building Social Resilience to Environmental Change in Marginalised Coastal Communities (Principal Investigator; Co-Investigators Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology; Marine Ecology Research Institute) (£49,900)
2018-19 – National Centre for Resilience Research Project Grants – Developing a Digital Flood Evacuation Model for Climate Change and Wellbeing (Principal Investigator; Co-Investigator Dr Yang Jiang, School of Computer Science and Digital Media, RGU) (£29,000)
2018-21 – Global Challenges Research Fund/Scottish Funding Council Official Development Assistance RGU Allocation – social wellbeing through ecosystem health for coastal communities under climate change (Principal Investigator, Co-PI Dr Nguyen Song Tung, Institute of Human Geography, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (£15,000)
2017-19 – Minami-Soma City Government ‘Reconstruction University’ Initiative – Let’s Talk about the Sea and Fish of Minami-Soma (PI: Prof Midori Kawabe, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Japan)
2017-19 – IIED/SNIFFER TRACTION project – development of competences framework for assessing national-level climate change adaptation (£10,000);
2017-19 – EU-ACT Carbon Capture and Storage – ACORN Project (Work Package Leader, Principal Investigators Pale Blue Dot Energy/Scottish Carbon Capture and Storage) (Share: £30,000)
2017-18 – Wellcome Trust Seed Awards in Humanities and Social Sciences – Assessing Energy Precarity in Sub-Tropical Asian Cities (Principal Investigator, Co-Investigators Ming-Chuan University; University of Science and Technology Hanoi; Kyushu University) (£49,000);
2017-19 – Royal Society of Edinburgh-Ministry of Science and Technology Joint Research Projects – Integrating environmental and social urban data to assess climate hazards – the role of green infrastructure (Co-Principal Investigator with Ming-Chuan University) (£12,000 + match-funding from MOST);
2017-18 – Regional Studies Association Early Career Grant – Managed transitions in carbon-intensive coastal regions: a comparative study of Iwaki and Iburi, Japan (Principal Investigator – £9,700);
2016 – British Academy International Partnership and Mobility Scheme – Climate Change and Coastal Communities (Principal Investigator, with Institute of Human Geography, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences) (£10,000);
2015-16 – UK CCS Research Centre International Collaboration Fund – Public and Stakeholder Perceptions of Sub-Seabed Carbon Dioxide Storage in Tomakomai, Japan (Principal Investigator, with Dr Jun Kita, Research Centre for Innovative Technology for the Earth, Kyoto, Japan) (£17,000);
2015-16 – GB Sasakawa Foundation – Scotland-Japan Network on Consensus Building for Environmental Governance (Principal Investigator, with Prof Taisuke Miyauchi, Hokkaido University) (£5,000);
2014-15 – Work Package Leader (Public and Stakeholder Perceptions), Scottish Carbon Capture and Storage CO2-Enhanced Oil Recovery Joint Industry Project (£11,000);
2014 – Japan Foundation Japan Studies Fellowship (Short-Term) – Environmental Change and Risk in Coastal Communities (Principal Investigator, with Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology). (JPY716,000).
5. Selected invited international contributions
Chair, ‘Back to the future: what could or should rural be in 2098?’ Royal Society of Edinburgh-Scottish Consortium for Rural Research Peter Wilson Lecture, 23 May 2023;
Chair, Future Earth Coasts Fellows Session on Just Transitions, 24 April 2023; https://www.futureearthcoasts.org/fec-fellows-session-just-transitions/
Session leader, Just Transitions, Kitakyushu SDGs Training Programme, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies-Kitakyushu City Government, Kitakyushu, 6 March 2023: https://sdgs-kitakyushu.iges.jp/news/event-report-the-4th-kitakyushu-sdgs-training-6-10-march-2023/;
Panellist, Royal Society of Canada G7 Summit on One Health, November 21-23, 2022, Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada;
Invited speaker, YOUMARES Conference for Young Marine Researchers, Managing treated water at the Fukushima Dai’ichi nuclear power plant: how do coastal communities feel? 31 May 2022;
Invited speaker, ‘Why do Early Career Researchers matter to the future of rural research in Scotland?’ Royal Society of Edinburgh-Scottish Consortium for Rural Research Peter Wilson Lecture, 23 May 2022 (see report: https://www.holyrood.com/inside-politics/view,country-file-what-next-for-the-rural-economy);
Interview/Expert Q&A, Coastal Resilience in Japan’s Forgotten Communities’ National Bureau for Asian Research, 12 May 2022, https://www.nbr.org/publication/coastal-resilience-in-japans-forgotten-communities/
Invited speaker and mentor, Royal Society of Edinburgh Research re-boot (Covid-19 impact) peer network event, 6 April 2022;
Invited speaker, British Embassy Tokyo, Future Challenges in Japan on Energy: From a Local Government Perspective, Wed 23 March 2022 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmSw1qT_Ge8&t=5441s
Invited speaker, Taiwan Day at COP26 UN Climate Change Conference, Glasgow, 7 November 2021;
Invited speaker, ‘Just adaptation to climate change in Scotland and beyond: the right to a healthy environment and the right to fair and decent work’, at Royal Society of Edinburgh-German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina Joint Symposium on Human Rights and Climate Change, 28-29 October 2021;
Invited expert presenter, Urban greenspace for climate adaptation in Fukuoka City, Japan, World Bank Knowledge Sharing Series on Low Carbon and Climate-Smart Cities #4: Climate-Smart Urban Form, Side Event at 13th Asia-Pacific City Summit, 27 October 2021 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cVdU9DcL4c ;
Invited speaker, ‘How can offshore wind support just and resilient coastal communities? Insights from Scotland and Taiwan’ Winds of Change: Off-Shore Energy Production and the Social Sciences Seminar Series, Bates College, 2 September 2021;
Invited participant, British Academy Virtual Sandpit on Just Transitions, February-March 2021;
‘Coastal communities, major environmental change, and inherent resilience: insights from the Fukushima coast’, Invited Presenter at Glasscock Center for Humanities Research, Texas A&M University, USA, 6 November 2020;
“There’s still coal in the hills, you know’: fossil fuels, identity and climate change”, Invited Presenter at Bovay Workshop on Energy Ethics, Glasscock Center for Humanities Research, Texas A&M University, USA, 23 April 2020 (cancelled due to coronavirus);
Invited Expert Presenter, Public Outreach Forum for Geologic Carbon Storage, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Taipei, Taiwan, 6 February 2020;
Invited international expert, Ministry of Science and Technology Young Scholar Forum, Tainan, Taiwan, 13-15 August 2019;
‘How can carbon-intensive cities and regions meet the climate challenge?’ Oral presentation at IPCC Cities and Climate Change Science Conference, Edmonton, 4-7 March 2018;
‘How can CCS in Japan sustain public support into the future?’ Engineering Advancement Association of Japan, Tokyo, 18 December 2017;
‘Public engagement for the Tomakomai CCS Demonstration Project’, The Future of CCS Symposium, Japan CCS Company-Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Japan, Tokyo, 13 December 2017;
Speaker and panellist, CCS session, Innovation for Cool Earth Forum, Tokyo, 4-5 October 2017;
Guest lecturer, Department of Urban Planning and Disaster Management, Ming-Chuan University, Taiwan, spring 2017;
‘Working across and between disciplines in marine and coastal research: thoughts from the field’ Invited speaker at MEOPAR Interdisciplinary Research Forum, Ottawa, Canada, 28 September 2016;
‘Social and economic risks associated with marine resource development: the case of Scotland’ Invited speaker at SIP Environmental and Social Impact Assessment International Workshop, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Japan, 1 March 2016;
‘Where are we going, and how are we going to get there? Understanding the socio-political context of our future energy systems’ Invited speaker at I2CNER Seminar Series, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan, 16 December 2015.
6. PhD supervision experience
Sally Njogu – PhD (School of Engineering and Innovation, Open University) – Risk governance for decommissioning of nuclear sites (Nuclear Centre for Doctoral Training studentship, lead supervisor), study commences September 2023;
Meng-Chin Tsai – PhD (School of Engineering and Innovation, Open University) – Urban greening for heat-resilient neighbourhoods (E&I School Studentship, lead supervisor), study commenced September 2022;
Yi-Chen Huang – PhD (Robert Gordon University) – Environmental Values of Motorcycle Riders in Taipei City, Taiwan, viva passed with minor corrections April 2022 (principal supervisor);
Mariana Xavier Nicolletti – PhD (Fundação Getulio Vargas, sandwich year at Robert Gordon University) – social learning and urban climate adaptation via nature-based solutions in Scotland and Brazi, viva passed with minor corrections April 2021 (sandwich year supervisor);
Ixiar Ugalde Gabellanes – PhD (Robert Gordon University) – Children’s experiences of greenspace and play parks, viva passed with minor corrections October 2020 (third supervisor).
7. Education and work
2021-present: Lecturer in Environmental Systems, Open University, UK
2019-2021: Senior Lecturer in Social Science, Scottish Association for Marine Science-University of the Highlands and Islands, UK
2014-2019: Reader in Environment and Society, Robert Gordon University, UK
2012-2014: Post-Doctoral Research Associate, School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh.
2008-2012: PhD Geography, University of Edinburgh
2007-2008: MSc by Research in Human Geography, University of Edinburgh
2003-2007: MA (Hons) Geography, University of Edinburgh.
8. Evidence of societal contribution
Media and press appearances
Op-Ed author, ‘Momentum grows over a ‘just’ climate transition in Japan, but more action needed’ Japan Times, 30 April 2023. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2023/04/30/commentary/japan-commentary/japan-just-transition-action-needed/
Op-Ed author, The group most affected never had a say in Fukushima water release,’ 360 Info, 14 April 2023 https://360info.org/the-group-most-directly-affected-never-had-a-say-in-fukushima-water-release/
Op-Ed author, ‘Scotland leading the way ahead of COP27’ The Scotsman 1 November 2022 https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/columnists/scotland-leading-way-ahead-of-cop27-leslie-mabon-3899469
Expert commentator, ‘Pakistan floods were a disaster, but not a natural one’ Geographical Magazine 29 October 2022 https://geographical.co.uk/climate-change/not-so-natural-disasters
Expert commentator, ‘Thames Water to introduce hosepipe ban as another heatwave looms’ Sky News, 9 August 2022 (also reported in Daily Mail and over 50 news outlets across the UK) https://news.sky.com/story/extreme-heat-warning-announced-as-uk-braces-for-spell-of-hot-weather-12668868;
Expert commentator, ‘Countryfile: what next for the rural economy?’ Holyrood Magazine 21 June 2022 https://www.holyrood.com/inside-politics/view,country-file-what-next-for-the-rural-economy
Guest on Seeking Sustainable Japan Podcast, COP26 Key Takeaways: Japan’s Energy Transition From Coal, 25 November 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyNe6rgqOKk;
Studio guest on Scottish Football and Climate Change, BBC Radio Scotland Off the Ball, Saturday 2 October 2021;
Expert commentator, ‘These 5 Resilient Cities Can Teach Us How to Survive the Climate Crisis’, Inverse Magazine, 9 September 2021: https://www.inverse.com/science/five-climate-crisis-resilient-cities
Expert commentator, ‘Japan to start releasing treated radioactive water from Fukushima nuclear plant into sea in 2 years’, Canada Tonight, 14 April 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTe97BqAjsU
Profile, Mainichi Shimbun, ‘Scottish researchers and the current situation of the Fukushima fishing industry “responsibility” to continue to convey the story’, 15 March 2021: https://mainichi.jp/articles/20210315/k00/00m/040/105000c
Government/private sector support
Co-lead author, Social Impact Assessment Methods Toolkit, Scottish Government ScotMER (2020-2022);
Core project team member, TRACTION toolkit for climate change adaptation competences http://tractionframework.org/ (launched 2022);
Cited in UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction Words into Action Guide: Nature-Based Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction, 2021https://www.preventionweb.net/files/74082_naturebasedsolutionsfordrr20210624c.pdf
EU Science Advice for Policy by European Academies expert panel: crisis resilience, preparedness and response February 2021;
Member of the Scottish Government Marine Energy Research Socio-Economic Expert Receptor Group, 2019-present;
Consultant/advisor on social dimensions of carbon dioxide capture and storage in Japan (lecture/seminar/technical guidance on social impact assessment and public understanding of CCS in Tokyo, December 2017), Engineering Advancement Association of Japan/Japan CCS Company, 2017-18;
Project Evaluator, Arts and Climate Change Mini-Festival, Middlefield, Aberdeen March-May 2017 (with Adaptation Scotland (funded via Scottish Government), Aberdeen City Council, Creative Carbon Scotland, Sniffer).
Public engagement activities
Public talk on just transitions and the lived environment, Shimizusawa Project, Yubari City, Japan, 23 February 2023 https://www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/article/808646;
OU Ask the Expert Session ‘How is Japan responding to climate change and why does it matter for the UK’ Thursday 14 July 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o85aWCDREJ0
OpenLearn Article, How can nature help us meet the climate challenge in towns and cities? (4 April 2022) https://www.open.edu/openlearn/nature-environment/how-can-nature-help-us-meet-the-climate-challenge-towns-and-cities
Public talk to youth of Fukushima (to support local review of Sustainable Development Goals) – Fukushima Daiichi and the treated water issue: the environmental and social situation in 2021, 14 February 2021 (https://fukushimasdgs.wixsite.com/sdgs)
RSE-Scottish Science Advisory Council-SAGES ‘Face the Facts’ series – talking head, January 2021 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FON22TXz7s0&fbclid);
Expert Panellist, ‘Resilience: The Other R Value’, Royal Society of Edinburgh Fringe Event at Scottish Greens Autumn Conference, 23 October 2020;
Community seminar, Fossil Fuels and Local Identity, Shimizusawa Community Gate, Yubari, Japan, 18 Jan 2020;
Module Leader, ‘A just transition for workers and communities in Scotland’s carbon-intensive industries’, 2050 Climate Group Young Leader Programme, Edinburgh, 23 November 2019;
Co-ordinator, Climate Change, Marginalised Communities and Considered Debate Workshop, Royal Society of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, 27 June 2019;
Expert speaker, Urban Green Infrastructure at the Nexus – Adapting Society and Environment to Climate Change, Taipei 2050 Vision Studio, Taipei, Taiwan, 24-25 April 2019;
Guest lecture: Nature and Green Space in Coastal Fukushima, Japan Consulate of Edinburgh, 27 February 2019;
Expert participant: One Day to Play/The Fierce Urgency of Now, National Theatre of Scotland/Aberdeen Performing Arts/Peacock Visual Arts; 30 November-1 December 2018;
Discussant: Anote’s Ark Film Screening, Take One Action’s Fourth Aberdeen Film Festival, 18 November 2018 (in association with Christian Aid and Oxfam Scotland);
Speaker/panellist: Associates’ Social: Presentation and conversation with Manami Sato, W OR M, Aberdeen, 15 November 2018;
Guest talk: Oil and gas, Aberdeen and Just Transitions, Lecture to Royal College of Art ADS3 Architecture Students, W OR M, Aberdeen, 5 November 2018;
Film screening and discussion: Over the Sky (with Director Toko Shiiki), Aberdeen Science Centre, Aberdeen, 12 October 2018;
Guest talk: Just transitions, Aberdeen and the future of the oil and gas industry, Aberdeen Trades Union Congress, Aberdeen 25 July 2018;
Guest lecture: Climate change responses at the local level: comparing Scotland and Fukuoka, Fukuoka Committee on Climate Change Action, Fukuoka, 25 April 2018 (in Japanese);
Panelist: What Comes After Oil? W OR M, Aberdeen, 19 March 2018;
Guest lecture: Coastal Fukushima Prefecture in 2018: Landscapes and Local Identity, ‘Lecture on Fukushima: Recovery and Local Identity’ public lecture event, Japan Consulate of Edinburgh, 15 March 2018;
Guest lecture: Public Understanding of Carbon Capture and Storage, Tomakomai Komazawa University, Tomakomai, Japan, 22 January 2018 (in Japanese);
Guest lecture: Just Transitions in Aberdeen, Aberdeen Climate Café, Aberdeen Climate Action, Aberdeen, 5 December 2017;
Guest lecture: What might the future hold for Huntly, ‘Field Notes on Surviving the Future’ series, Deveron Projects, Huntly, 26 October 2017;
Speaker/facilitator, ‘Energy futures in post-oil Aberdeen’ talk event, Creative Carbon Scotland Green Tease Series, Aberdeen, March 2017;
Guest lecture: Risk, trust and society in Fukushima Prefecture, ‘Voices from Fukushima’ public lecture event, University of Iowa, February 2017;
Guest lecture: Fisheries after the Fukushima Dai’ichi nuclear accident, ‘Lectures on Fukushima’ public lecture event, Japan Consulate of Edinburgh, December 2016;
Panelist, Taipei Urban Planning Forum, Taipei City Parks and Street Lights Office, Taipei, December 2016;
Guest lecture: Building a boat of confidence: fishing after Fukushima, ‘Skeptics on the Fringe’, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, August 2016;
Guest speaker/panelist, ‘A to/from B’ talk event, Seventeen art space, Aberdeen, October 2015 (with WAGON contemporary art).
Dr Leslie Mabon 