Russell's story
My Masters helped me to understand the major economic drivers that are powering the world economy – along with their impact on the climate.” russell julier
Energy and Climate Policy MSc
“I spent the majority of my career in oil and gas as a petroleum engineer. In 1986, I joined BG Group, a British multinational oil and gas company, before later working for Shell.
In 2020, I decided to apply for the Energy and Climate Policy MSc at Sussex because I wanted to expand my understanding of the systems that govern global energy use; however, I admit I couldn’t have predicted the impact the experience would have on me.
I was interested in policy and economics, but I was quite naïve in my understanding of the world's energy system. After such a longstanding career, I thought I knew energy, and that studying for a Masters would give me useful insights I could then apply to the world of oil. I don’t think I fully realised what I was getting into!
The course encouraged me to explore the opportunities and challenges of creating sustainable and low-carbon energy systems throughout the world. It really prompted a change of heart for me, and I’m now working with my local authority in Bracknell Forest to help them reach an ambitious net zero target of 2030.
This opportunity enables me to put everything I've learned into practice. I focus on supporting the development of a community-wide net zero strategy, which means working with schools, businesses, public services and transport providers to turn our action plan into reality. I work with lots of different people who have lots of different agendas, along with varying degrees of interest. Rather than solving a business-planning problem, my role is more winning about hearts and minds. It’s much harder than anything I’ve ever done, but also very fulfilling too.
Prior to my time at ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ, my view of the energy industry was very narrow. The upstream oil and gas industry is a relatively straightforward business, so the course opened my eyes to how the energy system can or should work. It got me thinking about all the complexities and interdependencies, and helped me to understand the major economic drivers that are empowering the world economy – along with their impact on the climate.
More than anything, I think my Masters helped me to understand the entirety of the energy system and the fact that there are many different actors within it. I better understand economic and ecological pressures, and I’ve been prompted to think about the difference I can make as an individual. As I reach the later stages of my career, I want to spend my time doing something positive and worthwhile.”