This III research programme examines the interconnections between environmental change, inequality, and environmental policy. It examines how climate impacts and policy responses are distributed across countries, regions, and social groups, and how these inequalities shape both vulnerability to climate risks and the political feasibility of climate action.
This programme focuses on how climate impacts and policy responses are distributed across countries, regions, and social groups, and how these inequalities shape both vulnerability to climate risks and the political feasibility of climate action. It responds to growing evidence that climate change disproportionately harms vulnerable populations, and that poorly designed climate policies—especially those that ignore who bears the costs—can trigger ‘green’ discontent and fuel environmental populism, weakening support for climate action.
The research programme will bring together leading experts at the LSE, in collaboration with external researchers, to build a cross-disciplinary intellectual community in this field.
The programme focuses on four themes: (1) Unequal climate impacts – analysing how climate damages are unevenly distributed across socioeconomic groups and demographic categories such as race, gender, and age, and how these disparities influence vulnerability and perceptions of climate risk. (2) Inequality and climate policy design – exploring how the costs and benefits of environmental policies are shared, and how distributional consequences shape public support or resistance to climate action. (3) Representation and decision-making – investigating whose voices are included in environmental governance and how different social groups are prioritised in practice. (4) The green transition – identifying mechanisms to ensure that transitions to a low-carbon economy contribute to, rather than undermine, shared prosperity.
This is a fixed term appointment for 12 months initially, with possibility of extension (subject to funding).
Salary is no less than £68,087 per annum and the salary scale can be found on the LSE website
Based in the STICERD Economics of Environment and Energy Programme within the Department of Economics and the International Inequalities Institute, the post holder will contribute to the intellectual life of the School through conducting and publishing outstanding quality research dedicated to analysing the economics of environmental inequality. The successful candidate will help establish the new research programme on the Economics of Environmental Inequality as a unique place of excellence dedicated to research on how climate change and climate policy interact with and reinforce existing social and economic disparities.
Should you have any queries about the role, please email Claire Harman c.l.harman@lse.ac.uk
The closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday 9 November 2025 (23.59 UK time). We are unable to accept any late applications.
Interviews will take place on Thursday 13 November 2025.
