Kimberley O'Sullivan, Department of Public Health, Our people, University of Otago, Wellington

Senior Research Fellow; He Kainga Oranga – Housing and Health Research Programme

Contact Details

Research Interests and Activities

Kimberley's research explores the relationships between energy poverty (fuel poverty), energy use behaviours, energy efficiency of housing and buildings, and the important interactions of these with health. She has expertise in energy poverty and health research, and consumer experiences and impacts of prepay electricity. Kim undertakes mixed methods, participatory, internet mediated, and qualitative research – design and analysis. Recent research focuses on youth experiences of energy poverty at home, using collaborative research methods to involve young people in the research process, and a side interest is energy use among people who work from home.

Publications

Chen, Z., O'Sullivan, K. C., Dohig, R. K., Pierse, N., Jiang, T., Riva, M., & Das, R. (2025). Identifying summer energy poverty and public health risks in a temperate climate. Climate Risk Management, 48, 100698. doi: 10.1016/j.crm.2025.100698 Journal - Research Article

Dohig, R. K., O'Sullivan, K. C., Desmarais, A.-M., & Bierre, S. (2025). Staying cool at home: Cooling practices, barriers, and possibilities for disabled people's experiences of managing summer heat in Aotearoa New Zealand. Energy Research & Social Science, 120, 103895. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2024.103895 Journal - Research Article

O'Sullivan, K., & Chen, Z. (2024). Raukawa energy innovation project baseline results: Understanding energy hardship in Raukawa. Proceedings of the 18th Otago Energy Research Centre (OERC) Annual Conference: Our Changing Relationship with Energy. Retrieved from https://www.otago.ac.nz/oerc/symposia Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Chen, Z., O'Sullivan, K. C., & Pierse, N. (2024). Indoor overheating and summer energy poverty in public housing. Proceedings of the 18th Otago Energy Research Centre (OERC) Annual Conference: Our Changing Relationship with Energy. Retrieved from https://www.otago.ac.nz/oerc/symposia Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

O'Sullivan, K., Dohig, R., Watt, R., Buchanan, M., Pehi, T., & Squire, P. (2024). How can not-for-profit electricity retail contribute to wellbeing? A case study of Toast. Proceedings of the 18th Otago Energy Research Centre (OERC) Annual Conference: Our Changing Relationship with Energy. Retrieved from https://www.otago.ac.nz/oerc/symposia Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2025

Journal - Research Article

2024

Journal - Research Article

Pehi, T., Fraser, B., Ombler, J., Buchanan, M., O'Sullivan, K., Jiang, T., … Pierse, N. (2024). What about the kids? Identifying children in the housing support system in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Children & Society. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/chso.12930

Dohig, R. K., O'Sullivan, K. C., Telfar-Barnard, L., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2024). ‘I think life changed for everybody from the first lockdown’: Public housing tenants’ experiences of COVID-19 public health and social measures in Aotearoa New Zealand. International Journal of Housing Policy. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/19491247.2024.2438294

Grimes, A., Smith, C., O'Sullivan, K., Howden-Chapman, P., Le Gros, L., & Dohig, R. K. (2024). Housing tenure and subjective wellbeing: The importance of public housing. Applied Research in Quality of Life. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s11482-024-10369-y

Riva, M., Debanné, L., Kutuka, S., Bertheussen, M., O'Sullivan, K. C., & Das, R. R. (2024). Energy poverty and well-being at the local level: Insights from a community-wide survey in Atlantic Canada. Energy Research & Social Science, 117, 103709. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2024.103709

Penny, G., Logan, A., Olin, C. V., O'Sullivan, K. C., Robson, B., Pehi, T., Davies, C., Wall, T., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2024). A Whakawhanaungatanga Māori wellbeing model for housing and urban environments. Kōtuitui. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/1177083X.2023.2293988

Journal - Research Other

O'Sullivan, K., Chen, Z., Fyfe, C., & Pierse, N. (2024). Energy poverty: The lowest-income households pay more in Aotearoa. The Briefing, (13 November). Retrieved from https://www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/energy-poverty-lowest-income-households-pay-more-aotearoa

Penny, G., O'Sullivan, K., & Logan-Riley, A. (2024). A Whakawhanaungatanga Māori Wellbeing Model: Guiding better housing and urban development. The Briefing, (30 January). Retrieved from https://www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/whakawhanaungatanga-maori-wellbeing-model-guiding-better-housing-and-urban-development

Howden-Chapman, P., Crane, J., Keall, M., Pierse, N., Baker, M. G., Cunningham, C., … Aspinall, C., Bennett, J., Bierre, S., … Chisholm, E., Davies, C., Fougere, G., Fraser, B., Fyfe, C., Grant, L., … Halley, C., Logan-Riley, A., … Olin, C., Ombler, J., O'Sullivan, K., Pehi, T., Penny, G., … Randal, E., … Robson, B., Ruru, J., Shaw, C., … Teariki, M. A., Telfar Barnard, L., Tiatia, R., Toy-Cronin, B., … Viggers, H., … Zhang, W. (2024). He Kāinga Oranga: Reflections on 25 years of measuring the improved health, wellbeing and sustainability of healthier housing. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 54(3), 290-315. doi: 10.1080/03036758.2023.2170427

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2023

Chapter in Book - Research

O'Sullivan, K. C. (2023). Energy justice and health. In S. Bouzarovski, S. Fuller & T. G. Reames (Eds.), Handbook on energy justice. (pp. 65-78). Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar. doi: 10.4337/9781839102967.00012

Journal - Research Article

Riva, M., Kingunza Makasi, S., O'Sullivan, K. C., Das, R. R., Dufresne, P., Kaiser, D., & Breau, S. (2023). Energy poverty: An overlooked determinant of health and climate resilience in Canada. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 114, 422-431. doi: 10.17269/s41997-023-00741-0

Journal - Research Other

O'Sullivan, K., Telfar-Barnard, L., & Dohig, R. (2023). Consumer Care Guidelines for electricity retailers must be mandatory. The Briefing, (15 May). Retrieved from https://www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/consumer-care-guidelines-electricity-retailers-must-be-mandatory

O'Sullivan, K. (2023). Unaffordable home heating increases risk of severe mental distress. The Briefing, (30 March). Retrieved from https://www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/unaffordable-home-heating-increases-risk-severe-mental-distress

O'Sullivan, K. C. (2023). Becoming unable to afford adequate home heating is associated with increased risk of severe mental distress. Evidence-Based Nursing, 314, 115461. doi: 10.1016/j. socscimed.2022.115461

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Grimes, A., Smith, C., O'Sullivan, K., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2023). Micro-geography and public housing tenant wellbeing. Proceedings of the 62nd European Regional Science Association (ERSA) Congress: Urban Challenges and Sustainable Technological Revolution. Retrieved from https://ersa.eventsair.com/ersa2023

Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report

Grimes, A., Smith, C., O'Sullivan, K., Howden-Chapman, P., Le Gros, L., & Dohig, R. K. (2023). Micro-geography and public housing tenant wellbeing [Motu Working Paper 23-08]. Wellington, New Zealand: Motu Economic and Public Policy Research. Retrieved from https://www.motu.nz/our-research/wellbeing-and-macroeconomics/well-being-and-sustainability-measures/micro-geography-and-public-tenant-wellbeing/

2022

Chapter in Book - Research

Siri, J. G., Indvik, K. B., & O'Sullivan, K. C. (2022). Community resilience and healthy places. In N. Botchwey, A. L. Dannenberg & H. Frumkin (Eds.), Making healthy places. (2nd ed.) (pp. 321-337). Washington DC: Island Press. doi: 10.5822/978-1-64283-158-0

Journal - Research Article

Olin, C. V., Berghan, J., Thompson-Fawcett, M., Ivory, V., Witten, K., Howden-Chapman, P., … O'Sullivan, K. C., Keall, M., Ombler, J., & Hinckson, E. (2022). Inclusive and collective urban home spaces: The future of housing in Aotearoa New Zealand. Wellbeing, Space & Society, 3, 100080. doi: 10.1016/j.wss.2022.100080

Shorter, C., Crane, J., Barnes, P., Kang, J., Honeywill, C., Robertson, O., O'Sullivan, K., Telfar-Barnard, L., Pierse, N., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2022). The cost of achieving healthy temperatures in children's bedrooms: Evidence from New Zealand. Energy Policy, 164, 112861. doi: 10.1016/j.enpol.2022.112861

Harris Clark, I. K., Chun, S., O'Sullivan, K. C., & Pierse, N. (2022). Energy poverty among tertiary students in Aotearoa New Zealand. Energies, 15, 76. doi: 10.3390/en15010076

2021

Chapter in Book - Research

von Benzon, N., & O'Sullivan, K. (2021). Analysing 'messy' data. In N. von Benzon, M. Holton, C. Wilkinson & S. Wilkinson (Eds.), Creative methods for human geographers. (pp. 351-364). London, UK: Sage.

Journal - Research Article

Riva, M., Kingunza Makasi, S., Dufresne, P., O'Sullivan, K., & Toth, M. (2021). Energy poverty in Canada: Prevalence, social and spatial distribution, and implications for research and policy. Energy Research & Social Science, 81, 102237. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2021.102237

Fong, S. Y., & O'Sullivan, K. C. (2021). The experience of energy poverty among young adults living in subdivided units in Hong Kong: Evidence from a phenomenological study. Wellbeing, Space & Society, 2, 100054. doi: 10.1016/j.wss.2021.100054

Journal - Research Other

O'Sullivan, K., & Viggers, H. (2021). Six ways to help fix energy hardship in New Zealand. Policy Quarterly, 17(4), 65-72. doi: 10.26686/pq.v17i4.7323

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Rotmann, S., Ambrose, A., O'Sullivan, K., Karlin, B., Forster, H., & Mundaca, L. (2021). To what extent has Covid-19 impacted hard-to-reach energy audiences? [Extended abstract]. Proceedings of BEHAVE 2020-2021: The 6th European Conference on Behaviour Change for Energy Efficiency. (pp. 193-196). Retrieved from http://www.energyefficiencycentre.org

Rotmann, S., Mundaca, L., Ambrose, A., O'Sullivan, K., & Ashby, K. V. (2021). An in-depth review of the literature on 'hard-to-reach' energy users [Extended abstract]. In X. Zhu & G. P. Dias (Eds.), Proceedings of BEHAVE 2020-2021: The 6th European Conference on Behaviour Change for Energy Efficiency. (pp. 178-181). Retrieved from http://www.energyefficiencycentre.org

2020

Journal - Research Article

Teariki, M. A., Tiatia, R., O'Sullivan, K., Puloka, V., Signal, L., Shearer, I., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2020). Beyond home: Exploring energy poverty among youth in four diverse Pacific island states. Energy Research & Social Science, 70, 101638. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2020.101638

Journal - Research Other

O'Sullivan, K. C., & Chisholm, E. (2020). Baby it's hot outside: Balancing health risks and energy efficiency when parenting during extreme heat events. Energy Research & Social Science, 66, 101480. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2020.101480

2019

Chapter in Book - Research

O'Sullivan, K. C. (2019). Health impacts of energy poverty and cold indoor temperature. In J. Nriagu (Ed.), Encyclopedia of environmental health. (2nd ed.) (pp. 436-443). Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-409548-9.11566-0

2018

Chapter in Book - Research

O'Sullivan, K. C., Viggers, H., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2018). The value of experience: Including young people in energy poverty research. In N. Simcock, H. Thomson, S. Petrova & S. Bouzarovski (Eds.), Energy poverty and vulnerability: A global perspective. (pp. 188-201). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

Other Research Output

Cook, H. and co-signatories, including Aspinall, C., Baker, M., Ball, J., Brewer, N., Cleghorn, C., Cunningham, R., Donovan, S., D'Souza, A., Edwards, R., Fraser, B., Gage, R., Hoek, J., Howden-Chapman, P., Hurley, K., Kvalsvig, A., Kvizhinadze, G., Lawson-Te Aho, K., McIntyre, M. E., Ombler, J., O'Sullivan, K., Pierse, N., Purdie, N., Rangiwhetu, L., Reidy, J., Russel, M., Sarfati, D., Shaw, C., Signal, L., Stanley, J., Thornley, L., Viggers, H., White, M., Wilson, N., and Zhang, W. (2018). Revision of the Abortion Law. Submission to New Zealand Parliament, Wellington, New Zealand. [Government Submission].

2017

Chapter in Book - Research

Howden-Chapman, P., Chisholm, E., Telfar Barnard, L., Viggers, H., O'Sullivan, K., Bennett, J., Bierre, S., Preval, N., Randal, E., Tiatia, R., Ombler, J., Amore, K., Rivera-Muñoz, G., … Davies, C., Aspinall, C., Oliver, J., Baker, M., Keall, M., … Crane, J., & Pierse, N. (2017). Housing, energy and health in resilient cities. In P. Howden-Chapman, L. Early & J. Ombler (Eds.), Cities in New Zealand: Preferences, patterns and possibilities. (pp. 95-106). Wellington, New Zealand: Steele Roberts Aotearoa.

Journal - Research Article

Chisholm, E., & O'Sullivan, K. (2017). Using Twitter to explore (un)healthy housing: Learning from the #Characterbuildings Campaign in New Zealand. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 14(11), 1424. doi: 10.3390/ijerph14111424

O'Sullivan, K., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2017). Mixing methods, maximising results: Use of mixed methods research to investigate policy solutions for fuel poverty and energy vulnerability. Indoor & Built Environment, 26(7), 1009-1017. doi: 10.1177/1420326X17707327

O'Sullivan, K. C., Howden-Chapman, P., Sim, D., Stanley, J., Rowan, R. L., Harris Clark, I. K., … the Waiopehu College 2015 Research Team. (2017). Cool? Young people investigate living in cold housing and fuel poverty: A mixed methods action research study. SSM Population Health, 3, 66-74. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2016.12.006

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

O'Sullivan, K. C. (2017, April). Energy use when the home is the office: An exploratory interview study. Poster session presented at the First International Conference on Energy Research and Social Science, Sitges, Spain.

2016

Journal - Research Article

O'Sullivan, K. C., Stanley, J., Fougere, G., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2016). Heating practices and self-disconnection among electricity prepayment meter consumers in New Zealand: A follow-up survey. Utilities Policy, 41, 139-147. doi: 10.1016/j.jup.2016.07.002

O'Sullivan, K., Telfar Barnard, L., Viggers, H., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2016). Child and youth fuel poverty: Assessing the known and unknown. People, Place & Policy, 10(1), 77-87. doi: 10.3351/ppp.0010.0001.0006

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

O'Sullivan, K., Howden-Chapman, P., and the Cool? 2015 Research Team. (2016). Cool young things: Youth research peer experiences of energy inefficient homes. Proceedings of the SENIX Conference: The Role of Social Sciences in a Low-Carbon Energy Mix. (pp. 11). Retrieved from https://www.delegia.com/app/attendee/default.asp?PageId=41698&MenuItemId=37285&ProjectId=7056

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

O'Sullivan, K. C., Viggers, H., Howden-Chapman, P., and Waiopehu College Social Action Research Team 2016. (2016, September). Cool at school? Pilot study: Mixed methods action research with youth to investigate the indoor environments of New Zealand classrooms. Verbal presentation at the 4th European Conference on Behaviour and Energy Efficiency (Behave), Coimbra, Portugal.

O'Sullivan, K. (2016, July). Youthful energy: Finding opportunities for improving thermal comfort through energy transition with youth-led participatory research. Verbal presentation at the Energy Cultures Conference: Sustainable Energy Futures: Understanding Behaviour and Supporting Transitions, Wellington, New Zealand.

2015

Journal - Research Article

Howden-Chapman, P., O'Sullivan, K., Bierre, S., Chisholm, E., Hamer-Adams, A., Ombler, J., & Amore, K. (2015). What effect will the 2015 budget have on housing? Policy Quarterly, 11(3), 13-19.

O'Sullivan, K. C., Howden-Chapman, P. L., & Fougere, G. M. (2015). Fuel poverty, policy, and equity in New Zealand: The promise of prepayment metering. Energy Research & Social Science, 7, 99-107. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2015.03.008

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

O'Sullivan, K., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2015, June). Cool? Collaborating with youth to explore fuel poverty: Participation, pitfalls, and progress. Verbal presentation at the 3rd International Conference of the International Childhood and Youth Research Network: Theory and Method in Child & Youth Research, Nicosia, Cyprus.

2014

Journal - Research Article

O'Sullivan, K. C., Viggers, H. E., & Howden-Chapman, P. L. (2014). The influence of electricity prepayment meter use on household energy behaviour. Sustainable Cities & Society, 13, 182-191. doi: 10.1016/j.scs.2013.10.004

2013

Journal - Research Article

O'Sullivan, K. C., Howden-Chapman, P. L., Stanley, J., & Hales, S. (2013). Kids in the cold: Outcomes for New Zealand households with children using prepayment metering for electricity. New Zealand Medical Journal, 126(1371). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

O'Sullivan, K. C., Howden-Chapman, P. L., Fougere, G. M., Hales, S., & Stanley, J. (2013). Empowered? Examining self-disconnection in a postal survey of electricity prepayment meter consumers in New Zealand. Energy Policy, 52, 277-287. doi: 10.1016/j.enpol.2012.09.020

Awarded Doctoral Degree

O'Sullivan, K. C. (2013). Power and control: A multiphase mixed methods investigation of prepayment metering and fuel poverty in New Zealand (PhD). University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/4451

2012

Journal - Research Article

O'Sullivan, K. C., Howden-Chapman, P. L., & Fougere, G. (2012). Death by disconnection: The missing public health voice in newspaper coverage of a fuel poverty-related death. Kōtuitui, 7(1), 51-60. doi: 10.1080/1177083x.2012.672434

Howden-Chapman, P., Viggers, H., Chapman, R., O'Sullivan, K., Telfar Barnard, L., & Lloyd, B. (2012). Tackling cold housing and fuel poverty in New Zealand: A review of policies, research, and health impacts. Energy Policy, 49, 134-142. doi: 10.1016/j.enpol.2011.09.044

2011

Journal - Research Article

O'Sullivan, K. C., Howden-Chapman, P. L., & Fougere, G. (2011). Making the connection: The relationship between fuel poverty, electricity disconnection, and prepayment metering. Energy Policy, 39(2), 733-741. doi: 10.1016/j.enpol.2010.10.046

2009

Journal - Research Article

Howden-Chapman, P., Viggers, H., Chapman, R., O'Dea, D. J., Free, S., & O'Sullivan, K. (2009). Warm homes: Drivers of the demand for heating in the residential sector in New Zealand. Energy Policy, 37(9), 3387-3399. doi: 10.1016/j.enpol.2008.12.023

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

O'Sullivan, K. (2009, April). Fuel poverty in NZ. Verbal presentation at the National Energy Research Institute Second Energy Research Conference: NERI'09, Wellington, New Zealand.