School of Social and Political Science

Research interests

I have a number of related research interests:

Systematic evidence reviews on energy policy issues

I have led and undertaken several systematic evidence reviews to inform energy policy, particularly for the Scottish and UK Governments. Some of my outputs here include:

• Winskel, M., P. Heptonstall and R. Gross (2024). "Reducing heat pump installed costs: Reviewing historic trends and assessing future prospects." Applied Energy 375: 124014
• Heptonstall, P., Winskel, M. 2023.  Decarbonising home heating: An evidence review of domestic heat pump installed costs Briefing paper, UK Energy Research Centre, London (report due for release Feb 2023)
• Kerr N, Winskel M. 2022. Have we been here before? Reviewing evidence of energy technology phase-out to inform home heating transitions. Energy Research and Social Science. 2022 Jul;89. 102640. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2022.102640
• Parker, K., Winskel, M and Kerr, N. 2022. The role and impact of innovation agencies: an international review, ClimateXChange, Edinburgh. dx.doi.org/10.7488/era/2128
• Parker, K., Winskel, M., Kerr, N., 2021. Industrial Strategy in Scotland: A review of cluster-based initiatives, ClimateXChange, Edinburgh. http://dx.doi.org/10.7488/era/1366
• Kerr, N., Winskel, M., 2021. Energy technology phase-out: Using international analogues to inform ‘net zero’ heat decarbonisation policy, ClimateXChange, Edinburgh. http://dx.doi.org/10.7488/era/1020
• Kerr, N., Winskel, M. 2021. A review of heat decarbonisation policies in Europe, ClimateXChange, Edinburgh http://dx.doi.org/10.7488/era/794
• Kerr, N., Winskel, M., 2020. Household investment in home energy retrofit: A review of the evidence on effective public policy design for privately owned homes. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 123, 109778,  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.109778 
• Kerr, N., Winskel, M. 2018. Private rental sector and home energy retrofit investment: Scoping Report. ClimateXChange,. Edinburgh

Interdisciplinarity, expertise and research-policy exchange

Here, I analyse the design, dynamics and outcomes of interdisciplinary energy research, research integration and research-policy knowledge exchange. My outputs here include:

• Winskel, M. Hannon, M. Silvast A. and Kattirtzi, M (2020) 'Interdisciplinary research for energy systems integration: understanding and promoting good practice', Summary Report, National Centre for Energy Systems Integration, Newcastle.
• Winskel, M., Kattirtzi, M., 2020. Transitions, disruptions and revolutions: Expert views on prospects for a smart and local energy revolution in the UK. Energy Policy 147, 111815, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2020.111815
• Kattirtzi, M., Winskel, M., 2020. When experts disagree: Using the Policy Delphi method to analyse divergent expert expectations and preferences on UK energy futures. Technological Forecasting and Social Change 153, 119924, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2020.119924
• M. Winskel (2018) ‘The pursuit of interdisciplinary whole systems energy research: Insights from the UK Energy Research Centre’,  Energy Research and Social Science, 37, 74–84  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2017.09.012
• M. Winskel, I. Ketsopoulou and T. Churchouse (2015) UKERC Interdisciplinary Review: Research Report, UK Energy Research Centre, London.
• M. Winskel (2014). 'Embedding Social Sciences in Interdisciplinary Research: Recent Experiences from Interdisciplinary Energy Research' Science as Culture 23(3): 413-418. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09505431.2014.926150

Energy innovation studies and energy transitions

I have a longstanding interest in energy innovation studies and energy transitions studies. My outputs here include:

• Cameron, L., M. Winskel and R. Bolton (2025). "Explaining the emergence and absence of Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage in the UK: Evidence from local case studies." Applied Energy 377: 124322.
• Moncreiff H, Bolton R, Winskel M. (2024) Unpacking the strategy of an energy incumbent: A case study of a Dutch oil and gas company in transition. Energy Research & Social Science. 2024 May;111:1-9. 103490. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2024.103490 
• Bolton R, Cameron L, Kerr N, Winskel M, Desguers T. (2023) Seasonal thermal energy storage as a complementary technology: Case study insights from Denmark and The Netherlands. Journal of Energy Storage. 2023 Dec;73(Part D):1-15. 109249. doi: 10.1016/j.est.2023.109249 
• Winskel, M. (2018) Beyond the disruption narrative: Varieties and ambiguities of energy system change. Energy Research & Social Science 37, 232-237, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2017.10.046
• M. Winskel and J. Radcliffe (2014), ‘The rise of accelerated energy innovation and its implications for sustainable innovation studies: a UK perspective’, Science and Technology Studies, 27, 1, 8-33.https://doi.org/10.23987/sts.55332
• M. Winskel, J. Radcliffe, J. Skea and X. Wang (2014) ‘Remaking the UK’s Energy Technology Innovation System: from the margins to the mainstream’ Energy Policy 68, 591–602  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2014.01.009
• M. Winskel, N. Markusson, H. Jeffrey, C. Candelise, G. Dutton, P. Howarth, S. Jablonski, C. Kalyvas and D. Ward (2014) 'Between Learning Rates and Innovation Studies: Learning Pathways for Emerging Energy Supply Technologies', Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 81, 96–114, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2012.10.015

Energy scenarios and energy futures

I have an interest in energy scenarios and future studies, and the use of scenarios to inform policy. My outputs here include:

• Holland, R.A., Beaumont, N., Hooper, T., Austen, M., Gross, R.J.K., Heptonstall, P.J., Ketsopoulou, I., Winskel, M., Watson, J., Taylor, G., 2018. Incorporating ecosystem services into the design of future energy systems. Applied Energy 222, 812-822, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.04.022
• Hooper, T., Austen, M.C., Beaumont, N., Heptonstall, P., Holland, R.A., Ketsopoulou, I., Taylor, G., Watson, J., Winskel, M., 2018. Do energy scenarios pay sufficient attention to the environment? Lessons from the UK to support improved policy outcomes. Energy Policy 115, 397-408, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2018.01.028
• M. Winskel (2016) ‘From optimisation to diversity: Changing scenarios of UK buildings heating’ in D. Hawkey, J. Webb, D. McCrone, H. Lovell and M. Winskel. Sustainable Urban Energy Systems, pp.68-90, Routledge / Earthscan, London. Working paper version available as a pdf file here
• J. Watson, R. Gross, I. Ketsopoulou and M. Winskel (2015) 'The Impact of uncertainties on the UK's medium-term climate change targets', Energy Policy, 87, 685–695. DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2015.02.030

Current Research Projects

• UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) (2024-28). I am a Deputy Director in Phase 5 UKERC, with responsibilities for interdisciplinary Research Integration and Academic Engagement. I am also contributing to UKERC’s Responsive Research theme, led by Dr Jamie Speirs at the University of Strathclyde. 

Completed Research Projects

• UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) (2019-24). I have been involved with UKERC since 2006, and I was UKERC's national Research Co-ordinator for five years (2009-14). In UKERC Phase 4 (2019-2024), I worked on evidence reviews and research-policy exchange, as part of UKERC's Technology and Policy Analysis (TPA) team. Working with Dr Phil Heptonstall, Imperial College, I led a project reviewing the past, present and future of heat pump installed costs.
• EPSRC Integrate project (2020-24), ‘Integrating seasonal thermal storage with multiple energy sources to decarbonise thermal energy’. Working with Dr Ronan Bolton, Dr Niall Kerr and Dr Lewis Cameron, I co-led a workpackage considering the policy and regulatory framework for seasonal thermal energy storage in the UK and internationally.
• 'Energy Policy Effectiveness' for ClimateXChange (CXC) (2016-22). CXC is Scotland's national centre for expertise on climate change. I acted as an advisor to CXC from its inception in 2011, was a member of CXC's Directorate (2016-22), and was interim Policy Director (2019-20). Working with Dr Niall Kerr and Dr Kyle Parker, I also led CXC's Energy Policy Effectiveness project, which conducted a series of systematic evidence reviews to support energy and climate policy development in Scotland, particularly related to low carbon heat and energy efficiency.
• The National Centre for Energy Systems Integration (CESI). I led a project for CESI on interdisciplinary energy systems integration (ESI) research (2019-21). This involved convening a series of academic and stakeholder workshop, and the development of good practice guidelines for interdisciplinary ESI research.
• In UKERC Phase 3 (2014-19), I led a project which analysed expert views on UK energy system change. Working with Dr Michael Kattirtzi, this involved a major 'Policy Delphi' survey of UK energy researchers and stakeholders. A summary of the project and a briefing paper on the results is available here
• EPSRC-Energy Systems Catapult project, Across Scales in Energy Decision-making (ASCEND) (2017). I was Co-Investigator on this scoping project. As part of the Ascend project, I convened a large research, stakeholder and policy workshop at the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI).  
• In UKERC Phase 2 (2009-14) I was UKERC's national Research Centre Co-ordinator in Phase 2, responsible for the commissioning of 14 interdisciplinary research projects (total funds c.£5m), and supporting the integration of new project teams into UKERC's interdisciplinary research community. I also led a UKERC project which analysed interdisciplinarity in 'whole systems' energy research. This included designing and running workshops, interviews and a large online survey. The UKERC Research Report on the project is available here
• In UKERC Phase 1 (2004-09) I was co-leader of a large interdisciplinary project on the future of the UK energy system, the 'Energy 2050' project. I co-edited and co-authored a book (with Professors Jim Skea and Paul Ekins), and a UKERC report on the findings. I also led an interdisciplinary programme of work on 'Accelerated Energy Innovation', leading to a major UKERC Working Paper.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Co-Chair and Strategy Group member of the 'Energy@Edinburgh' network, promoting linkages and collaborations on energy research across the University of Edinburgh.
• Steering Group member for the Centre for Science, Knowledge and Policy (SKAPE) at the University of Edinburgh.
• Steering Group member of the 'Global Environment and Society Academy' (GESA) at the University of Edinburgh (2015-18).

PhD Topics

I am interested in supervising PhD applicants on topics related to research-policy exchange and expertise, interdisciplinarity in energy studies, whole energy systems research and policy, and energy and climate policy, especially from a STIS (Science, Technology and Innovation Studies) analytical perspective.

Find out more about the programmes that I am involved with:

• PhD in Science and Technology Studies
• MSc (R) Science and Technology Studies

Current PhD Students

• Harry Moncreiff (with Dr Ronan Bolton) 'Energy Systems in Transition: oil and gas company strategies in relation to low carbon energy'
• Andreas Lindemann (with Dr. Ronan Bolton) 'Understanding governance of energy networks through transition cost allocation'

Completed PhD Students

• Evangelos Gazis (2015) (with Dr Chiara Candelise) 'Development and Diffusion of Building-Integrated Photovoltaics: Analysing Innovation Dynamics in Multi-Sectoral Technologies'
• Seyed Emamian (2014) (with Professor Robin Williams) 'Characterising and explaining the UK electricity policy change, with focus on Electricity Market Reform'
• Audrey Mukora (2013) (with Professor Markus Mueller) 'Learning Curves for Emerging Energy Technologies: “Integrating Learning Curves with Engineering Assessments for Modelling Technical Change in Early Stage Low Carbon Energy Supply Technologies”