Tutor

Distance Learning

Background

Kelvin Mason is a tutor on the MSc Architecture: Advanced Environmental and Energy Studies by distance learning at the Centre for Alternative Technology. Previously, he worked as a consultant engineer and manager on development projects in Africa, Latin America and Asia. Specialising in energy efficiency in small-scale building materials production, his focus has been mainly on fired clay bricks, lime and stabilised soil blocks. Along with his technical capabilities, he has experience in participatory technology development as an epistemological approach.

He completed his PhD in Citizenship and Sustainable Development in the Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences at the University of Aberystwyth, engaging in participatory action research. He holds an MSc in Environmental Management from the University of Aalborg in Denmark, an MA in Human Geography from the University of Wales, and a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Engineering Design and Appropriate Technology (EDAT) from Warwick University.

His current research interests include environmental citizenship, sustainable urbanism, (auto)ethnographic research methods, environmental and scholar activism. He is an active member of the Royal Geographical Society and Institute of British Geographers’ Participatory Geographies Research Group (PyGyRg). The specialist lectures he delivers by Distance Learning or to students attending CAT include: The Sustainable City, Sustainable Transport, The Environmental Movement, Sustainability and Building Materials.

Qualifications

MSc in Environmental Management, Aalborg University, Denmark.
MA: Space, Place and Politics, Aberystwyth University
PhD in Citizenship and Sustainable Development, Aberystwyth University

Professional Bodies
Royal Geographical Society
Institute of British Geographers’ Participatory Geographies Research Group

Teaching activities

Distance learning tutor
Module Leader
Thesis supervisor
Lecturer

Research Interests

Environmental citizenship, sustainable urbanism, (auto)ethnographic research methods, environmental and scholar activism

Publications

Mason, K. & M. Whitehead (forthcoming) Between Here and There: Mobilizing Urban Vulnerabilities in Climate Camps and Transition Towns. IN Dooling, S & Simon, G. (Eds) Urban Vulnerabilities: Cities, Nature, Development. Burlington, USA. Ashgate.

Mason, K. & M. Whitehead (forthcoming) Transition Urbanism and the Contested Politics of Ethical Place Making. Antipode

Mason, K. (forthcoming) Academics and social movements: Knowing our place? ACME (Special Issue on Climate Change and COP15)

Schilderman T & K Mason (2009) Using Residues as Fuel in Small-scale Brickmaking. Proceeding of the 11th International Conference on Non-conventional Materials and Technologies (NOCMAT 2009). 6th - 9th September. Bath. University of Bath.

Mason, K. & M. Whitehead (2009) Minding a mendacious methodology: Community-based research in a Transition Town. Qualitative Researcher. 11, p. 6 – 9

Mason, K. (forthcoming) No Names, No faces, No Leaders: The risible rise and rise of CIRCA, an obscene army of the deviant, dangerous and  - er – deeply democratic! IN Mason, K., Kenrick, J. & Vinthagen, S. (Eds) Academic Conference Blockades and Faslane 365: Resisting Nuclear Weapons through Theory and Practice

Mason, K. (2007) Fuel for Free: Waste Materials in Brick Making. Rugby.  Practical Action.

Mason, K. (2001) Brick by Brick: Participatory technology development in brickmaking. London. ITDG.

Mason, K. (1999) The Small-Scale Vertical Shaft Lime Kiln: A practical guide to design, construction and operation. London. Intermediate Technology Publications.