Our Team

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Dr. Michael Keary is co-director of NovaAura Research. 

Michael has been researching the environment and climate change for over ten years, with a special focus on politics and policy. He has held positions at King's College London, the Research Institute for Sustainability in Potsdam, Nazarbayev University, and Aberystwyth University, teaching subjects including Political Economy, International Relations, and Environmental Politics. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Michael has consulted for GermanWatch, the NewClimate Institute, and the World Resources Institute on projects covering climate finance, energy technologies, mitigation and adaptation policies, and the socio-economic impacts of climate change.

In his published research, he has explored the technological change modules that form part of IPCC climate change mitigation modelling; developed a novel theory of technological change for environmental politics; evaluated competing theoretical approaches to sustainable communities; and advocated for a problem-based learning approach to green education. 

He is driven by the desire to help build political communities that are both just and sustainable.

Dr. Conor Purcell is co-director of NovaAura Research. 

 Conor is a PhD trained climate scientist, consultant, and award‑winning science communicator who specialises in strategic communications at the intersection of science, policy, and sustainability.

Conor has  built a dual career as both a research strategist and communicator. His writing has appeared in Nature, Science, Scientific American, New Scientist, and The Irish Times, and he has twice been recognised with the European Meteorological Society’s Journalism Award for excellence in climate communication.

Since 2016, he has led consultancy projects for NGOs, governments, and research institutes, helping clients secure funding, shape policy, and amplify their voice in global debates. His work  focusses on turning complex science into clear strategies and compelling narratives.

Motivated by a commitment to protect the environment and supporting vulnerable communities, Conor brings a unique blend of scientific expertise, policy insight, and communications leadership to every project.

Dr.  Oana Petrea is NovaAura's Health Research Lead.

Oana works with NovaAura on our work relating to how the emerging climate and environmental crises affect the health of vulnerable populations, especially children. Topics in this framework include the direct and indirect health effects of heat, flooding, infectious diseases, and stress due to forced climate migration.

Oana is a medical professional with consultant grade accreditation in paediatrics and experience working as a family physician. She graduated from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Gigore T. Popa, Iasi, Romania in 2009, and has since worked in Ireland in various senior roles, including at Ireland's premier children's hospitals, Temple Street Children's Hospital and Crumlin Children's Hospital, as well as in training positions accredited by the Irish College of General Practitioners.

Throughout her career as a doctor Oana has conducted research on topics ranging from hospital discharge planning, to neonatology and auditing rare disease cases.

She is driven by the idea of improving the health of the world's poorest.