Dr Tom Spencer – from environmental economics to circular economy systems design
“I spent years modelling the cost of waste and carbon. But I kept thinking- why not be part of redesigning those systems instead of just measuring their failure?”
Background
Tom is a 33-year-old British postdoctoral researcher in environmental economics. His work has focused on modelling the socio-economic impacts of carbon pricing, waste taxes, and resource use in the UK. Over time, he’s become more drawn to the practical, systems-level design of circular economy solutions – from urban resource loops to extended producer.
Career aspiration
To move into a strategic circular economy role in a city planning agency, think tank, or sustainability consultancy, where he can help design interventions that align economic tools with regenerative material flows.
How Tom used the C-DICE Framework for self-evaluation
Tom used the framework to:
- Help map how his economics expertise fits into interdisciplinary circular economy systems work
- Clarify his development needs in materials science, design thinking, and public engagement
- Offer structure for articulating systems-level thinking in job applications
- Support him in finding mentorship across sectors
Tom’s skills gap analysis using the framework
| Skill area | Current strength | Gap identified | Development actions |
| Leadership & strategy | Designed economic policy models; led academic work packages | Needs practical strategic planning and implementation experience | Take part in circular economy hackathons; shadow local council projects |
| Influencing change | Works on behavioural modelling and policy briefs | Lacks experience co-developing solutions with designers, engineers | Join circular economy design sprint; attend systems innovation training |
| Ethics & inclusion | Familiar with distributive impacts of carbon pricing | Needs practical skills for inclusive stakeholder engagement | Take part in co-creation and citizen assembly workshops |
| Collaboration | Works with other economists and policy experts | Rarely engages with engineers, product designers, or urban planners | Join interdisciplinary urban sustainability initiative |
| Engaging communities | Media commentary on carbon taxes | Needs to communicate complex economic concepts in everyday terms | Science-to-policy communication course; contribute to community-focused podcast |
| Working across disciplines | Well-versed in socio-economic and policy domains | Limited knowledge of materials science, circular design principles | Enrol in online course on circular design or lifecycle thinking |
Next steps for Tom
Discover Tom’s 10-month strategy to transition from academia into a strategic circular economy role.