Vigya is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining (CSRM), part of the Sustainable Minerals Institute at the University of Queensland, Australia
She has several years of experience in applied research across domestic and international mining and energy sectors. Specifically, her interests are in understanding how the presence (or absence) of resources impacts development outcomes in host communities and regions. In her current role, she is leading the Centre’s work on fossil fuel transitions, particularly looking at the social, political and economic impacts of coal phase-out in India, China, and Australia.
Vigya also coordinates and is the primary lecturer for the undergraduate course on Humanitarian Engineering, offered to students in the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology (EAIT). She led the design and delivery of this course, first introduced at UQ in 2020.
She advises several PhD students on topics including energy transitions, just transitions, mine closure, and energy and development.
She serves on the Editorial Boards of Energy Research and Social Science and Sustainability Science. In 2023, she was invited to join the UN Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition (CEET), established at COP27. CEET is an Independent Advisory Council to the UN Secretary-General, to contribute to their goal to build a coalition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and to support the United Nations to achieve global decarbonisation goals by mid-century.
Prior to joining CSRM, she was based at the Energy and Poverty Research Group (EPRG), an interdisciplinary pan-UQ initiative established to support positive social, environmental and health outcomes vital for sustainable and productive livelihoods in energy-impoverished communities globally. Vigya led this group's engagement and research in India, a priority country for both UQ and the EPRG.
Initially trained as an engineer, her PhD in social sciences has allowed her a deep appreciation for interdisciplinary thinking and practice. She continues to build on these skills and undertake wide-ranging research, research management, training, and engagement to contribute to long-term positive change in the energy and resources sector.
Book Chapter: The social costs of India’s energy transition: socioeconomic dependencies and lessons from international experiences
Sharma, Vigya and Loginova, Julia (2024). The social costs of India’s energy transition: socioeconomic dependencies and lessons from international experiences. The role of coal in a sustainable energy mix for India: a wide-angle view. (pp. 75-103) edited by Mritiunjoy Mohanty and Runa Sarkar. New Delhi, India: Routledge.
Book Chapter: The social aspects of India's energy transition: coal, critical minerals and socio-economic dependencies
Sharma, Vigya and Loginova, Julia (2023). The social aspects of India's energy transition: coal, critical minerals and socio-economic dependencies. The role of coal in a sustainable energy mix for India: a wide-angle view. (pp. 75-103) edited by Mritiunjoy Mohanty and Runa Sarkar. Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom: Taylor and Francis. doi: 10.4324/9781003433088-7
Journal Article: How do past global experiences of coal phase-out inform China’s domestic approach to a just transition?
Sharma, Vigya, Loginova, Julia, Zhang, Ruilian, Kemp, Deanna and Shi, Guoqing (2023). How do past global experiences of coal phase-out inform China’s domestic approach to a just transition?. Sustainability Science, 18 (5), 1-18. doi: 10.1007/s11625-023-01312-5
Indigenous co-ownership in the renewable energy sector: drawing lessons for other industries
(2024) Rio Tinto Services Limited
Collaborative regional development - regeneration and just transition in the Isaac Region
(2023) Ergo Strategy Group Ltd
(2021) Newmont USA Limited
Just Transitions in India: barriers to action in coal regions
Doctor Philosophy
Examining the social acceptance of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) projects in India.
Doctor Philosophy
Informing institutional design for an efficient and equitable electricity sector transition in India
Doctor Philosophy
Sharma, Vigya, van de Graaff, Shashi, Loechel, Barton and Franks, Daniel M. (2013). Extractive resource development in a changing climate: learning the lessons from extreme weather events in Queensland, Australia. South Port, QLD, Australia: National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility.
Addressing climate change and migration in Asia and the Pacific
Graeme Hugo, Douglas Bardsley, Vigya Sharma, Yan Tan, Michael Williams and Richard Bedford eds. (2012). Addressing climate change and migration in Asia and the Pacific. Manila, Philippines: Asian Development Bank.
Sharma, Vigya and Loginova, Julia (2024). The social costs of India’s energy transition: socioeconomic dependencies and lessons from international experiences. The role of coal in a sustainable energy mix for India: a wide-angle view. (pp. 75-103) edited by Mritiunjoy Mohanty and Runa Sarkar. New Delhi, India: Routledge.
Sharma, Vigya and Loginova, Julia (2023). The social aspects of India's energy transition: coal, critical minerals and socio-economic dependencies. The role of coal in a sustainable energy mix for India: a wide-angle view. (pp. 75-103) edited by Mritiunjoy Mohanty and Runa Sarkar. Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom: Taylor and Francis. doi: 10.4324/9781003433088-7
A hindu philosophy perspective on the temporal nature of energy justice in Odisha, India
Herington, Matthew, Malakar, Yuwan and Sharma, Vigya (2020). A hindu philosophy perspective on the temporal nature of energy justice in Odisha, India. Energy Justice Across Borders. (pp. 177-194) edited by Gunter Bombaerts, Kirsten Jenkins, Yekeen A. Sanusi and Wang Guoyu. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-24021-9_9
Sharma, Vigya (2017). Mining and climate change. Mining in the Asia-Pacific: risks, challenges and opportunities. (pp. 301-320) edited by Terry O’Callaghan and Geordan Graetz. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-61395-6_18
Human security for Mongolian herders: evolving risks and opportunities
Sharma, Vigya (2016). Human security for Mongolian herders: evolving risks and opportunities. Understanding the many faces of human security: perspectives of northern Indigenous peoples. (pp. 230-250) edited by Kamrul Hossain and Anna Petrétei. Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill Nijhoff. doi: 10.1163/9789004314399_015
Adapting Australian coastal regions to climate change: a case study of South East Queensland
Smith, Timothy F., Choy, Darryl Low, Thomsen, Dana C., Serrao-Neumann, Silvia, Crick, Florence, Sano, Marcello, Richards, Russell, Harman, Ben, Baum, Scott, Myers, Stephen, Sharma, Vigya, Bussey, Marcus, Matthews, Julie, Roiko, Anne and Carter, R. W. (2014). Adapting Australian coastal regions to climate change: a case study of South East Queensland. Climate change and the coast: building resilient communities. (pp. 269-284) edited by Bruce C. Glavovic, Mick Kelly, Robert Kay and Ailbhe Travers. Boca Raton, FL, United States: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/b18053
Sustainable resource development in Asia: challenges and opportunities
Sharma, Vigya and Sarker, Tapan (2013). Sustainable resource development in Asia: challenges and opportunities. The Asian Century, Sustainable Growth and Climate Change. (pp. 225-252) edited by Moazzem Hossain, Tapan Sarker and Malcolm McIntosh. Cheltenham, United Kingdom: Edward Elgar. doi: 10.4337/9781781005750
Sharma, Vigya, Loginova, Julia, Zhang, Ruilian, Kemp, Deanna and Shi, Guoqing (2023). How do past global experiences of coal phase-out inform China’s domestic approach to a just transition?. Sustainability Science, 18 (5), 1-18. doi: 10.1007/s11625-023-01312-5
Institutional logic of carbon neutrality policies in China: what can we learn?
Zhou, Cheng, Zhang, Ruilian, Loginova, Julia, Sharma, Vigya, Zhang, Zhonghua and Qian, Zaijian (2022). Institutional logic of carbon neutrality policies in China: what can we learn?. Energies, 15 (12) 4391. doi: 10.3390/en15124391
A reply to ‘Tenure security, housing quality and energy (in)justice in Dhaka’s slums’ by Jones
Sharma, Vigya (2022). A reply to ‘Tenure security, housing quality and energy (in)justice in Dhaka’s slums’ by Jones. Global Discourse, 12 (2), 345-347. doi: 10.1332/204378921X16321204893519
The Papua New Guinea Electrification Partnership: Power and diplomacy in the Pacific
Sharma, Vigya, Heynen, Anthony P., Bainton, Nicholas and Burton, John (2021). The Papua New Guinea Electrification Partnership: Power and diplomacy in the Pacific. Energy Research and Social Science, 79 102186, 102186. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2021.102186
Sharma, Vigya, Greig, Chris and Lant, Paul (2021). What is stopping India’s rapid decarbonisation? Examining social factors, speed, and institutions in Odisha. Energy Research and Social Science, 78 102117, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2021.102117
Access for adaptation? Reviewing the linkages between energy, disasters, and development in India
Sharma, Vigya (2019). Access for adaptation? Reviewing the linkages between energy, disasters, and development in India. Energy Research and Social Science, 52, 10-19. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2019.01.025
Malakar, Yuwan, Herington, Matthew J. and Sharma, Vigya (2019). The temporalities of energy justice: examining India’s energy policy paradox using non-western philosophy. Energy Research & Social Science, 49, 16-25. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2018.11.002
Sharma, V, Dalaibuyan, B, Erdenebileg, G-O, Natsag, M and Adiya, S (2016). Traditional livelihoods and mining in Mongolia’s changing climate: exploring the potential of cross-sectoral partnerships in achieving sustainability. APN Science Bulletin, 6, 8-12.
Sharma, Vigya and Franks, Daniel M. (2013). In situ adaptation to climatic change: mineral industry responses to extreme flooding events in Queensland, Australia. Society and Natural Resources, 26 (11), 1252-1267. doi: 10.1080/08941920.2013.797528
Sharma, Vigya (2011). Book reviews. M. Hulme: Why We Disagree About Climate Change: Understanding Controversy, Inaction and Opportunity. Australian Journal of International Affairs, 65 (5), 621-622. doi: 10.1080/10357718.2011.613149
Planning and sustainability: Exploring the relationship
Sharma, Vigya (2007). Planning and sustainability: Exploring the relationship. The International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability, 3 (3), 173-182.
Towards just transitions? Consultation, consent, and energy transitions in the Arctic region
Loginova, Julia, Sharma, Vigya and Kemp, Deanna (2023). Towards just transitions? Consultation, consent, and energy transitions in the Arctic region. 2nd International Conference for Sustainable Resource Society: Seizing a Sustainable Future, Kuopio, Finland, 3-4 November 2022.
Water and energy integration towards post-mine transition
Clerc, C., Sharma, V. and Pagliero, L. (2023). Water and energy integration towards post-mine transition. Australian Centre for Geomechanics. doi: 10.36487/ACG_repo/2315_005
Governing the Australian megalopolis: The challenge of the 200km city (and beyond)
Steele, Wendy, Crick, Florence, Serrao-Neumann, Silvia, Sharma, Vigya and Wadsworth, Jenny (2011). Governing the Australian megalopolis: The challenge of the 200km city (and beyond). 5th State of Australian Cities Conference 2011 (SOAC), Melbourne, Australia, 29 November - 2 December 2011. Melbourne, Australia: Australian Cities and Regions Nework.
Sharma, Vigya and Hugo, Graeme (2010). Climate change implications on human livelihoods and security: Lessons from the Ganges-Brahmaputra and the Mekong delta regions in Asia. 1st Asian Population Association Conference, New Delhi, India, 16-20 November 2010.
Sharma, Vigya and Hugo, Graeme (2009). Exploring the population-environment nexus: Understanding climate change, environmental degradation and migration in Bangladesh. XXVI International Population Conference of the IUSSP, Marrakech, Morocco, 27 September - 2 October 2009. Princeton, NJ, United States: Princeton University.
Loginova, Julia, Sharma, Vigya and Kemp, Deanna (2023). The changing arctic and just energy transitions: exploring patterns of community consultation and consent. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI).
Energy Transition in China: Scenario analysis informing social sustainability assessment
Sharma, Vigya, Loginova, Julia, Zhang, Ruilian and Kemp, Deanna (2022). Energy Transition in China: Scenario analysis informing social sustainability assessment. Brisbane, Australia: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining.
Sharma, Vigya, Lebre, Eleonore and Loginova, Julia (2022, 03 15). Russia and Ukraine are important to the renewables transition. Here’s what that means for the climate The Conversation
Sharma, Vigya, Loginova, Julia, Zhang, Ruilian and Kemp, Deanna (2022). China’s just transitions: reviewing lessons learned and approaches to social sustainability assessment. Brisbane, Australia: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining.
Sharma, Vigya, Greig, Chris and Lant, Paul (2021, 07 15). India’s wicked problem: how to loosen its grip on coal while not abandoning the millions who depend on it The Conversation
Heynen, Tony, Lant, Paul and Sharma, Vigya (2021, 03 19). Australia wants to send 1 million vaccine doses to PNG – but without reliable electricity, how will they be kept cold? The Conversation 1-2.
Climate change and mining: a foreign policy perspective
Rüttinger, Lukas and Sharma, Vigya (2016). Climate change and mining: a foreign policy perspective. Berlin, Germany: adelphi.
Hugo, Graeme, Vas Dev, Sanjugta, Wall, Janet, Young, Margaret, Sharma, Vigya and Parker, Kelly (2011). Economic, social and civic contributions of first and second generation humanitarian entrants : Final report. Adelaide, SA, Australia: National Centre for Social Applications of Geographical Information Systems, University of Adelaide.
Indigenous co-ownership in the renewable energy sector: drawing lessons for other industries
(2024) Rio Tinto Services Limited
Collaborative regional development - regeneration and just transition in the Isaac Region
(2023) Ergo Strategy Group Ltd
(2021) Newmont USA Limited
Climate Change and Mining (908ADELPHI13)
(2016–2018) adelphi research gemeinnutzige GmbH
(2014–2015) Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research
Supporting women during a mining boom (Mongolia) (ADRAMO)
(2013–2015) AusAID-Australian Agency for International Development
Mining communities in a changing climate: challenges and opportunities for long-term sustainability
(2011–2015) UQ Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
(2011–2012) Climate Change Adaptation Research Grants Program
Just Transitions in India: barriers to action in coal regions
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Examining the social acceptance of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) projects in India.
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Informing institutional design for an efficient and equitable electricity sector transition in India
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Improving the design of integrated energy and water management systems for remote Andean communities in Chile
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Women¿s Empowerment and Entrepreneurship in Papua New Guinea
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Overcoming barriers in achieving universal sustainable energy services
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Justice implications of changes in copper processing in Australia for Australian communities and for Japanese importers
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Access, Uptake, and Outcomes: A study of electricity access using system dynamics
(2022) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.