Montgomery’s interdisciplinary PhD research centres on one of the world’s primary sites of contemporary water cultures in profound conflict. His hope is to help protect the planets natural resources and discover what such areas can teach the world about growing tensions between decarbonization and conservation.
My PhD research explores the conflict between the global demand for energy transition minerals and the need to preserve local cultures and environments. Focusing on Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay, Alaska—one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits, adjacent to the biggest salmon fishery—I examine how local communities balance their cultural practices with the pressures of global sustainability goals.
Sites like Pebble Mine highlight the complex tensions between economic development and environmental
preservation. My research aims to inform future policies that respect Indigenous rights while addressing the need for cleaner energy. I’ve presented my work at international events like the British Academy’s ‘Water Futures’ conference at Oxford, engaging with researchers around the world to deepen understanding of these global challenges. As a member of University of Birmingham’s Treatied Spaces Research Group, I am proud to
be part of a collaborative team working across disciplines and sectors to centre treaties and environmental concerns around practical efforts to protect our planet’s natural resources.