Tracey Crosbie's research focuses on sustainability in the built environment, socio-technical transitions, smart energy systems, sustainable infrastructure, social inclusion and socially just innovation. Her work connects social science, engineering, computing, policy, industry and community perspectives to address complex societal challenges, including climate change, energy transitions, sustainable places and inclusive innovation. 

She is a transdisciplinary academic with more than 25 years' experience developing, leading and delivering externally funded interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research across the social and technical sciences. Her academic leadership focuses on building research capacity across disciplinary, institutional and sectoral boundaries. She has led and supported cross-school collaborations, mentored colleagues in the development of fundable research, and helped shape research trajectories that connect publications, doctoral supervision, impact and external funding.

Tracey currently leads development of the School's REF 2029 submission for UoA 20: Social Work and Social Policy. Her REF experience spans several cycles, including contributions to Teesside University's REF 2014 submission, development of impact case study material for REF 2021, and support for the review of research quality and interdisciplinary impact. A key strand of this work is helping colleagues make the originality, significance and rigour of their research visible across disciplinary boundaries.

Tracey is a recognised international expert in transdisciplinary sustainability research. Her funding experience spans UK, European and international funders, including the British Academy/GCRF, ISPF/British Council, FP7, Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe. She is also a recognised European Commission expert, with extensive experience of proposal evaluation and project monitoring for REA, CINEA and EISMEA across Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe.

Her wider academic standing includes appointment as Visiting Professor at LPU in India, membership of the Editorial Board of Energies, and leadership of Teesside's involvement in the NINE Doctoral Training Partnership. Her external academic service includes EC/Horizon evaluation and project review, journal peer review, PhD examination and review of doctoral funding applications.

Tracey has led and contributed to collaborative research proposals and projects involving more than 80 partner organisations across academia, industry, public bodies, SMEs and the third sector. These include major research institutes, international universities, industrial partners and community-facing organisations. Her published work crosses urban studies, geography, ICT, civil and electrical engineering, energy policy, social policy, sustainability and pedagogy.

Her academic background spans sociology and social policy, information technology, social welfare and social work, and architecture, planning and landscape. This interdisciplinary foundation continues to shape her work across sustainability, energy, infrastructure and socially just innovation.

Tracey's recent and current research includes work on sustainable aquaculture, energy and water infrastructures in the Global South, smart grids, demand response, energy storage, sustainability policy, socially inclusive infrastructure and transport barriers to opportunity.

Selected projects include:

·         Development of a Microbubble Aeration Prototype System for the Aquaculture Farming Industry, ISPF/British Council, 2026-2027

·         Overcoming Transport Barriers to Opportunity, Tees Valley policy-focused qualitative research examining how transport barriers affect access to employment, education and training, 2025-2026

·         What is in a meter? Working towards efficient, socially inclusive and environmentally sensitive energy and water infrastructures in the Global South, British Academy/GCRF, 2019-2022

·         Renewable Energy for self-sustAinable island CommuniTies, REACT, Horizon 2020, 2019-2022

·         Integrated Smart GRID Cross-Functional Solutions for Optimized Synergetic Energy Distribution, Utilization and Storage Technologies, InteGRIDy, Horizon 2020, 2017-2020

·         Demand Response in Blocks of Buildings, DR-BOB, Horizon 2020, 2015-2019

Current Doctoral Supervision

·         Pierre Esser, The Traces of Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Transformation of Consumption Behaviour in Germany

·         Sm Najmul Hasan, Environmental Implications in the WTO: Ensuring Environmental Concerns are Addressed in the WTO

·         Rasheed Abolaji Folarin, A Social Practice Theory Approach to the Built Environment and Sustainable Public Transportation

·         Koushani Amarasinghe, A Methodological Approach to Assessing the Preparedness of Communities and the Built Environment to Support Walkability through Urban Transport Policy Reform

Selected Completed Doctoral Supervision

·         Puvis Srinet, 2026, Towards Sustainable Transport and Logistics in Thailand

·         Sean Williams, 2021, Control Optimisation for Demand Response Systems

·         Kennedy Amadasun, 2021, Investigating the Feasibility of Integrating Minimal Mast Structure in the Telecommunications Industry in Nigeria

·         Alima Ogah, 2021, Climate Change in Nigeria: Assessing Policy and Practice

·         Ahmed Maher Fakhri Gailani, 2021, Technologies, Regulatory Frameworks and Business Models for the Near-Future Deployment of Energy Storage Systems in Electricity Networks

·         Maher Abuhussain, 2020, Developing a Framework for Knowledge Transfer Partnership in Technology-Intensive Infrastructure Projects in Saudi Arabia