Dr Bernice Wu

Dr Bernice Wu is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (CPAS), Australian National University (ANU). Her research sits at the intersection of science and technology studies (STS), environmental sociology, and science communication, with a particular interest in how scientific knowledge, expert judgement, and social values shape environmental governance and technological transformations.

Bernice completed her PhD at ANU in 2026. Her doctoral research examined how per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as 'forever chemicals', have been understood and constructed as environmental and public health problems in Australia and internationally. Drawing on interviews with scientists and regulatory experts, alongside documentary analysis, her research explored how different epistemic standards, expert identities, and approaches to uncertainty shape the interpretation of environmental risks and regulatory decision-making.

Her current postdoctoral research contributes to the project Addressing the Resilience of Indo-Pacific Alkaline Electrolysers. The project investigates the development of resilient nickel supply chains and green hydrogen technologies across the Indo-Pacific. Bernice's research focuses on the socio-environmental implications of nickel-based alkaline electrolysers, including resource extraction, material supply chains, and the opportunities and challenges associated with technological innovation. Through interdisciplinary research and stakeholder engagement, she contributes to developing responsible innovation approaches that integrate environmental sustainability and social considerations into technological development.

Across these areas, Bernice is interested in how knowledge, materials, and societal expectations interact in shaping environmental problems and possible pathways towards more sustainable futures.