Research Interests
Sustainable economic growth and development; territorial governance and environmental policy; energy justice and just transitions; nature and biodiversity protection through traditional and indigenous knowledge systems; climate finance instruments (REDD+, carbon markets, nature-based solutions); spatial justice; policy frameworks for corporate sustainability (TNFD, ESG reporting); comparative environmental governance across the Global South.
Education
PhD Candidate, Institute for Sustainable Resources, University College London
Thesis: Just Energy Transitions and Territorial Governance in Bahia, Brazil. Researching how renewable energy and climate finance instruments interact with traditional land governance systems in the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes. Supervisors: Professor Julia Tomei and Professor John Tomaney.
MSc Urban Economic Development, University College London
Modules included Managing the City Economy, Public Economics and Public Policy, and sustainable urban development. Focus on fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth in regions.
BSc Political Sciences, University of Amsterdam
Included exchange at the University of New South Wales, Sydney (Jan–Jun 2020).
Publications and Research
How Territorial Arrangements Determine Justice Outcomes in Energy Transitions? — Cavalli de Meira, J., Carvalho, P., and Tomei, J.. npj Clean Energy
How the Spatial Meets the Social? Favelas as Urban Institutions and COVID-19 in Brazil — Cavalli de Meira, J.. DPU Working Paper No. 214, University College London
Tren Maya — High Hopes and Contested Development in the Yucatán Peninsula — Cavalli de Meira, J.. Research Project
Oh Partner, My Partner: How Support to Civil War Conflicts in Neighbouring Countries Is Determined by Economy — Cavalli de Meira, J.. BSc Thesis, University of Amsterdam
Teaching Experience
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Urban Economic Development MSc, UCL
Course administration, liaison with external examiners, and preparation of course quality reports. Student pastoral care, mentoring sessions, and personal guidance. Managed Moodle pages, Portico, and contributed to student recruitment. Marking and assessment of essays and presentations.
Postgraduate Teaching Assistant, Business and Sustainability MSc, UCL
Teaching assistance for master's-level modules including Principles and Paradoxes of Business Sustainability, International Dynamics and Global Governance of Business and Sustainability (with Professor Jim Watson), and Technology and Innovation for Business Sustainability.
Senior Postgraduate Teaching Assistant, Urban Design and City Planning MSc, Bartlett School of Planning, UCL
Delivered weekly individual tutorials to groups of 15–20 students in the City Planning module. Marking and assessment of student essays and presentations.
Postgraduate Teaching Assistant, Sustainable Built Environments, Energy and Resources BSc, ISR, UCL
Delivered weekly tutorials. Collaborated with the course leader to develop essay questions, including testing assessments against AI tools to ensure robust evaluation design.
Postgraduate Teaching Assistant, Sustainable Resources MSc, UCL
Teaching assistance across seven master's-level modules including Lifecycle Policy Assessment, Policy for Sustainable Development and Resources, Resource Governance and the Global South, and Innovation and Sustainability in Business. Independent marking and assessment responsibilities.
Research Experience
Placement Researcher, ArcelorMittal (alongside PhD)
Developing policy frameworks for the management of affected communities across 59 countries. Building data collection and reporting systems for social performance. Supporting TNFD oversight and implementation.
Research Assistant, Urban Economic Development MSc, UCL
Coordinated the overseas practice engagement module focusing on Mexico. Managed partnerships with the Mexican Ministry of Tourism and Development, the Autonomous University of Yucatán (UADY), and ECOSUR.
Visiting Researcher, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Brazil
Conducted fieldwork on energy development projects in the Bahian semiarid region. Engaged with traditional communities (quilombola, fundo e fecho de pasto collectives). Co-produced research outputs as briefing materials for renewable energy contract negotiations.
Research Scholar, Yale Climate Change Communication Programme / ITS-Rio
Awarded scholarship to translate academic research on Brazilian climate change perceptions into policy-relevant tools. Created interactive data visualisation using Tableau.
Research Assistant, University of Amsterdam
Contributed to research examining the dynamics of large interest groups in Europe, focusing on corporate–political interfaces. Coordinated the research programme and managed quantitative data.
Professional Experience
Foundation Advocate Intern, Atlassian Foundation, Amsterdam
Developed strategic communication campaigns and stakeholder engagement materials. Organised design-thinking workshops and community engagement events.
Fellowships and Scholarships
ITS-Rio / Yale Climate Change Communication Programme Scholarship
Awarded to Brazilian researchers working on public understanding of climate change.
Resilient Cities Network Fellowship
Local Governments Advancing Urban Equality through COVID-19 and Post-Pandemic Responses. Awarded as part of the Development Planning Unit Dissertation Programme.
International Fieldwork and Visits
Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Brazil
Fieldwork on energy development and territorial governance in Bahian semiarid region.
ECOSUR (Colegio de la Frontera Sur), Mérida, Mexico
Facilitated MSc student fieldtrip from London.
Autonomous University of Yucatán (UADY), Mérida, Mexico
Facilitated MSc student fieldtrip from London.
University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia
Exchange programme in Arts and Sciences as part of BSc completion.