Majbaul Alam, Ph.D.

Governing Board Member | Bangladesh Nature Foundation

Dr. Majbaul Alam is a renewable energy and energy-access specialist with extensive experience in sustainable energy systems, climate-resilient development, rural electrification, and community-oriented energy solutions. He serves as a Senior Fellow in the Energy for Development (e4D) programme within the Energy & Climate Change Division at the University of Southampton, UK. His professional work focuses on solar photovoltaic mini-grids, clean cooking, productive use of electricity, off-grid electrification, and energy provision in displacement settings across East Africa and South and South-East Asia. His expertise provides valuable technical and strategic perspectives for the Bangladesh Nature Foundation, particularly in areas connecting environmental sustainability, climate action, clean energy, community resilience, and sustainable development.

Academic Qualifications

Dr. Majbaul Alam holds a PhD in Renewable Energy Technology from De Montfort University, UK, where his doctoral research focused on mini-grids for off-grid electrification. He also holds an MSc in International Marketing Management from the University of East London, UK, and BSc and MSc degrees in Marine Sciences from the University of Chittagong, Bangladesh. His interdisciplinary academic background combines marine and environmental sciences with renewable energy technology, sustainable development, and energy management.

Professional Experience

Dr. Majbaul Alam has served as Senior Fellow in the Energy for Development programme at the University of Southampton since 2017, where he leads and contributes to applied research on renewable energy, energy access, and climate-related development challenges. His earlier professional experience includes consultancy with the Asian Development Bank on refugee electrification in Bangladesh, energy consultancy with GEIA in the UK, and doctoral research under the OASYS South Asia programme at De Montfort University. Through these roles, he has developed substantial experience in research leadership, technical consultancy, field-based assessment, stakeholder engagement, and implementation of sustainable energy initiatives.

Renewable Energy and Energy Access Expertise

His core professional expertise includes solar PV mini-grid design, techno-economic and financial analysis, off-grid electrification, renewable energy financing and business models, clean cooking, productive use of electricity, energy access in refugee and displacement settings, energy policy, institutional frameworks, and public-private partnership models. He also has extensive experience in field surveys, socio-economic and quantitative data analysis, capacity building, stakeholder partnerships, research leadership, proposal development, and technical consultancy.

Research and Project Leadership

Dr. Majbaul Alam has co-led and delivered research projects supported by major research and development programmes, including EPSRC-funded initiatives. His project leadership has included work on strengthening mini-grid networks in Kenya and Uganda, rural electrification, productive uses of electricity, clean cooking, low-carbon technologies in social housing, refugee energy access, commercial rooftop solar PV, and PV-battery and hydrogen fuel-cell mini-grids. His work has involved engagement with energy ministries, rural electrification agencies, utilities, development banks, UN agencies, community cooperatives, and other development stakeholders.

International Research and Capacity Building

Dr. Majbaul Alam has extensive international experience in renewable energy research and capacity development. He has undertaken field studies and technical assessments in countries including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and the Philippines, as well as in Bangladesh and other South and South-East Asian contexts. He designed and delivered technical training for researchers at San Carlos University in the Philippines, covering mini-grid modelling and design, field surveys, energy monitoring, productive uses of electricity, and clean cooking integration. His international engagement has strengthened collaboration between academic institutions, development organizations, government agencies, utilities, and local communities.

Climate Change and Sustainable Development

His professional work directly addresses several dimensions of climate-resilient and sustainable development, including renewable energy transition, reduction of dependence on fossil-fuel-based electricity generation, clean cooking, sustainable rural electrification, energy access for vulnerable communities, and low-carbon technologies. His research and project activities demonstrate an emphasis on practical, policy-relevant, and community-oriented approaches to addressing energy and climate challenges.

Teaching, Research Supervision and Knowledge Development

Dr. Majbaul Alam contributes to postgraduate education through teaching on the MSc Engineering in Sustainability programme at the University of Southampton. He supervises MSc research projects and dissertations as well as PhD research in renewable energy systems, energy access, solar PV, mini-grids, and clean energy transitions. His academic activities also include research capacity development, technical training, research supervision, and dissemination of knowledge through international conferences and professional forums.

Scientific and Professional Contributions

Dr. Majbaul Alam has contributed to scientific and professional literature on renewable energy, rural electrification, solar PV, decentralized energy systems, and sustainable development. His publications include research on decentralized renewable hybrid mini-grids for sustainable electrification of off-grid coastal areas of Bangladesh, willingness to pay for decentralized renewable hybrid mini-grids, pathways to universal electricity access for rural communities in Africa, and the application of rooftop solar PV to support energy demand and national energy targets.

International Engagement and Professional Recognition

Dr. Majbaul Alam has contributed as a keynote, plenary, invited, and conference speaker at national and international scientific and professional events. His engagements include the Sustainable Energy Ecosystem International Conference in Cebu, the International Conference on Renewable Energy in Paris, the Africa Mini Grid Summit, the International Conference on Sustainable Energy Technologies, and other international forums addressing renewable energy and sustainable development. He was also an invited speaker at Taiwan Agri-Tech Week 2026 and the International Agricultural Green Energy Forum in Taipei.

Role at Bangladesh Nature Foundation

As a Governing Board Member of the Bangladesh Nature Foundation, Dr. Majbaul Alam contributes multidisciplinary expertise in renewable energy, climate change, sustainable development, environmental sustainability, and community resilience. His experience can support the Foundation in integrating clean and renewable energy solutions into environmental conservation and community development initiatives, particularly where sustainable energy access can contribute to livelihood improvement, climate resilience, and reduced environmental pressure.

Professional Contribution to BNF

Dr. Majbaul Alam’s experience in applied research, international development projects, government and institutional engagement, community-oriented energy systems, and capacity building provides valuable support to the Bangladesh Nature Foundation’s broader objectives. His expertise can contribute to the development of environmentally sustainable projects, climate-resilient community initiatives, renewable-energy-based solutions, technical partnerships, research collaborations, and evidence-based approaches to sustainable development. His interdisciplinary background also provides an important link between environmental conservation, technological innovation, energy access, and community well-being.