Dr Jonathan Mulberg

Professional biography

Although my research interests concern ecological political economy, most of my academic career has involved teaching quantitative methods. I have been developing a new approach to teaching introductory statistics, replacing formulae and calculations with simple apps for laptops and tablets. The emphasis is on the knowledge the statistical tools can yield, and the aim is to help overcome the fear of numbers. I have taught this at a number of universities, across the social sciences and management. I have also helped develop online interactive material for the UK Data Archive.

I have been researching Ecological Economics for the past 40 years, long before it became mainstream – I began my critique of orthodox economics during the height of Thatcherism. My work concerns the inadequacy of orthodox economics with particular reference to environment, and outlines alternatives to the orthodox approach. My current book employs a transdisciplinary approach in order to outline an alternative green political economy. After 40 years, for me the question to ask is why so little has been done. This suggests political and economic causes of inaction; orthodox economics is inadequate, and technical fixes to degradation are only one ingredient in the recipe.

Research interests

Political Economy, Ecological Economics, History and Philosophy of Political Economy, Philosophy of Social Science

Teaching interests

I have taught on a variety of Social Science courses, also developed material for introductory statistics courses.

Impact and engagement

Participant Cambridge Social Ontology Group (Dept of Economics). Previously Review Editor, Journal of Interdisciplinary Economics, and membership secretary, Assn. for Heterodox Economics 

External collaborations

Grant Applications:

2021: Fulbright Scholarship application in association with University of California Berkeley

2015 & 2016: EU Horizons 2020 project, Marie-Curie Fellowship €212,195 ‘Growth of What? Towards a New Social Economy of Sustainable Growth’, in collaboration with Roskilde University

International links

 August 1996: Visiting Fellow, University of Wageningen