New Western Research chair working towards gender-equitable, low-carbon economy

Gender, sexuality and women's studies professor Bipasha Baruah has been named as the Strategic Focus Western Research Chair. (Frank Neufeld/Western Communications) - Gender, sexuality and women's studies professor Bipasha Baruah has been named the new Strategic Focus Western Research Chair. The chair recognizes Baruah's innovative, interdisciplinary research at the intersections of gender, economy, environment and development; gender and work; and social, political and economic inequality. Baruah joined Western in 2012 as the Canada Research Chair in Global Women's Issues. Her current research aims to understand how to ensure a global, low-carbon economy will be more gender-equitable and socially just than its fossil-fuel based predecessor. "There is much more attention being paid in research and policy circles to the technical and financial instruments that will enable us to transition out of fossil fuels than on social equity issues that must also be considered for a just transition to low-carbon economies" Baruah said. Addressing the fact that women are already severely underrepresented in both fossil fuel and renewable energy employment, Baruah's work stands out for focusing on employment and social policy to reduce gender inequality in the transition to sustainable energy.