Dr Matthew Cotton is a Senior Lecturer in Human Geography at the Department of Environment and Geography, University of York.

His research interests cover the social and ethical dimensions of environmental issues. In particular, he researches issues of environmental justice and the role of public and stakeholder participation in environmental policy and planning decisions around energy and waste infrastructure and natural resource extraction. He has published research using a range of qualitative and quantitative social research techniques on nuclear power, shale gas extraction, petrochemicals, onshore wind, electricity transmission and distribution systems, and radioactive waste management.

Matthew joined the University of York in September 2016, having previously held lecturing positions in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at the University of Sheffield and the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds.

He has a PhD in Environmental Science from the University of East Anglia, an MSc in Social Research Methods from Teesside University, and a BA in International Studies and Political Science from the University of Birmingham.