Laurent Lioté

Laurent holds a PhD in Engineering and Public Policy from University College London (UK), during which he worked with the UK’s energy ministry to explore how engineering advice is deployed in renewable energy policy practice.

Drawing on a background in anthropology, policy and experience in strategy consulting, Laurent’s work mixes ethnographic data with a custom theoretical framework based on Engineering Studies, Science and Technology Studies and policy literature to map out the engineering-policy interface. This includes understanding how engineering and policy experts work together to create net zero policies, what the barriers to collaboration might be, and how to overcome them. Laurent’s research also explores how different organizational structures and cultures impact the work of engineers and policy experts working in government. His research has generated award-winning academic and policy publications catering to both the engineering and policy communities. Laurent has a keen interest in teaching and public speaking, having taught and presented across Europe, North America, and Asia.

As an Impact Fellow, and in the spirit of the MIT Climate Project, Laurent works jointly with the MIT Climate & Sustainability Consortium (MCSC), the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI), and the MIT Climate Policy Center (MCPC). Building on his PhD research, he investigates different micro- and organizational-scale strategies to improve collaboration between engineers in government, industry and academia, and policymakers. His goal is to improve bi-directional knowledge exchange at the engineering-policy interface to facilitate sustainability transitions globally.

You can find Laurent’s full CV here and LinkedIn page here.