Professor Ana Mijic is a leading academic in water systems integration at Imperial College London's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (Faculty of Engineering). Her work focuses on developing systems tools to balance economic growth with sustainable water use, flood management, and water quality under future uncertainties. She leads high-profile projects like the EPSRC VENTURA initiative and the NERC CAMELLIA impact programme, emphasizing adaptive planning and grey/green infrastructure integration in urban systems. Education: BEng (First Class) in Civil Engineering from the University of Belgrade (Serbia), MSc (Distinction) in Hydrology for Environmental Management, and PhD in Earth Science & Engineering from Imperial College London (2013). Previously served as a teaching assistant in Fluid Mechanics and Hydrometry at Belgrade University. Research interests include whole-water system modelling, socio-hydrological interactions, and nature-based solutions for resilient urban water systems. Her work bridges academia and practice through partnerships with regulators like the UK Environment Agency and global initiatives like the IAHS HELPING programme. Awards include the Satish Dhawan Visiting Chair Professorship (2022) and the 2019 Imperial President’s Award for Excellence in Research (as part of her Hydrology team). She co-leads Imperial’s Transition to Zero Pollution (TZP) Urban Ecosystems theme and serves on editorial boards for journals like Water Security . Her contributions span over 50 peer-reviewed articles (2020–2025), focusing on integrated water management frameworks, AI-driven monitoring, and systemic approaches to urban resilience. She advocates for participatory decision-making and policy coherence in water governance.
John McDonagh is an Associate Professor in Global Development and the Environment at the School of Global Development, University of East Anglia. His academic journey began with a BSc in Botany (University of Bristol, 1987), followed by an MSc in Tropical Soil Fertility Management (Imperial College, 1988) and a PhD in Tropical Agronomy (University of London, 1993). He joined UEA in 1997 and is a member of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research. His research focuses on tropical soil management, sustainable farming systems, and land degradation assessment across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Notable projects include GEF-funded ecosystem carbon assessment tools and DFID-supported biochar studies in Ghana and China. He has also contributed to FAO’s LADA project on dryland degradation. McDonagh has extensive field experience in Thailand, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Namibia, blending scientific research with community-based approaches. His interdisciplinary work addresses the nexus of agriculture, environment, and livelihoods, aligning with UN SDGs related to climate action and zero hunger.
Mauro Barelli is Professor of International Law at The City Law School, City, University of London. He holds a PhD from Cardiff University and an LLM from the University of Bristol, and has been a faculty member at City since 2009, progressing from Lecturer to Professor in 2024. He teaches Advanced Issues of International Law, International Human Rights Law, and a course on Minority and Indigenous Peoples' Rights. He has held visiting positions at the University of Cambridge (Lauterpacht Centre), Nanjing University, the University of Iceland, and the University of Trento. His research focuses on: Rights of ethno-cultural and indigenous peoples Law on the use of force Chinese perspectives on international law Soft law and normative development Minority rights and litigation His publications include four books and numerous articles in leading journals such as Journal of Conflict and Security Law , Human Rights Quarterly , and Asian Journal of International Law . His recent work analyzes China’s engagement with international law, the UK’s relationship with the ICJ, and the synchronization of biodiversity protection with indigenous rights. Key scientific recognitions include: Higher Education Academy Fellow (since 2012) He is an experienced PhD supervisor, having chaired and served on numerous doctoral committees, including as PhD Programme Director. His advisee Engin Firat is currently a research student at City. He has also served in administrative roles such as Assistant Dean (Research). His expertise has been sought by national governments, parliaments, and international NGOs. He is an active participant in international academic events, particularly through the European China Law Studies Association.
Professor D Graham J Shipley is the Professor of Ancient History at the University of Leicester's School of Archaeology and Ancient History since 2002. His research focuses on Hellenistic and Classical antiquity, particularly on political landscapes, environmental studies, and urban planning. He holds a D.Litt. from the University of Oxford (2020) and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2014). Education: Graduated in Classics from Oxford University. Academic roles include serving on the Oxford Classical Texts Committee and the UK Education Honours Committee. Previously chaired the Council of University Classical Departments and convened the Dorothy Buchan Memorial lectures. Research interests emphasize ancient geography, socio-political structures, and environmental interactions. His work spans studies of Sparta, Greek urban planning, and the cultural impact of Hellenistic expansion. Recent publications examine Pseudo-Skylax's geographical texts and post-Alexandrian political dynamics. Scientific Awards: Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2014) D.Litt. (Doctor of Letters) from University of Oxford (2020) Advising and Grants: No specific advisees listed, but supervises research in ancient history and archaeology. Active in collaborative projects such as the Laconia Survey. Grants have supported archaeological fieldwork and publication initiatives. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the Oxford Classical Texts Committee and has led interdisciplinary teams in regional archaeological surveys.
Jim Hall is a Professor of Climate and Environmental Risk at the University of Oxford's School of Geography and the Environment, and serves as Director of Research there. He is also a Visiting Fellow at Linacre College and holds leadership roles including Chair of the Science Advisory Committee at IIASA, and Expert Advisor to the UK's National Infrastructure Commission. His work focuses on systemic risk analysis, infrastructure resilience, and policy implications of climate change adaptation. Prof Hall has pioneered methodologies like the National Infrastructure Systems Model (NISMOD) and chairs the Data and Analytics Facility for National Infrastructure (DAFNI). His research spans flood risk management, energy systems decarbonization, and transboundary water resource conflicts in regions such as the Eastern Nile Basin and the Caribbean. Key research areas include robust decision making under uncertainty, info-gap theory applications, and integrated assessments of human-environmental systems. He has contributed to major international assessments, including the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report, and developed frameworks for multi-hazard stress testing of infrastructure networks. Scientific Awards: George Stephenson Medal (2001), Prince Sultan Prize for Water (2018), Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowship (2010) His advising and grants work includes mentoring a DPhil student Erin Canning and leading projects like MARIUS and ENHANCE. He has also developed innovative modeling tools for coastal erosion prediction and probabilistic assessments of global shipping fuel transitions. Prof Hall’s research groups actively engage in interdisciplinary projects, including the Oxford Martin Programme on Resource Stewardship and the UK Infrastructure Transitions Research Consortium. His work emphasizes bridging scientific analysis with actionable policy solutions for climate adaptation.
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)United Kingdom
Thomas Smith is an Associate Professor in Environmental Geography at the London School of Economics (LSE), specializing in wildland fires, tropical environmental change, and peatland management. He joined LSE in 2018 after lecturing at King’s College London and has held visiting fellowships at institutions including the National University of Singapore and Monash University Malaysia. His research focuses on biomass burning’s role in the Earth system, particularly greenhouse gas emissions from tropical peatlands and savannas. Smith’s expertise includes infrared spectroscopy, wildfire modeling, and land management decision support. He emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to address fire emissions, agricultural practices, and their environmental impacts. Notable awards include being Highly Commended for Research Guidance & Support at the LSESU Teaching Excellence Awards 2019. His recent work involves field experiments (e.g., GAMBUT project) and citizen science initiatives to measure air pollution. Collaborative research spans global wildfire dynamics, climate change impacts, and policy interventions in Southeast Asia’s haze season. Smith contributes to both academic discourse and practical solutions for sustainable land use and climate resilience.
Giovanna Gioli is a Senior Lecturer in Human Geography at Bath Spa University's School of Sciences. She is a co-investigator in the Leverhulme Trust-funded project Digital Climate Futures , exploring decolonial and justice perspectives in climate change adaptation. Her research focuses on political ecology, climate migration, gender equity, and socio-ecological resilience in mountain regions of the Global South, particularly South Asia. PhD in Political Philosophy (University of Parma) MA in Political Philosophy (University of Pisa) MSc in European Studies and Migration (London School of Economics) Her research interests intersect political ecology, climate change adaptation, and the socio-cultural dimensions of migration. She examines how gender, conflict, and environmental hazards shape livelihoods and vulnerability in regions like Pakistan, Nepal, and the Hindu Kush Himalaya. Her work challenges dominant narratives, advocating for justice-oriented approaches to digitalized climate adaptation and decolonizing environmental research frameworks. Gioli has contributed to major projects such as HI-AWARE, analyzing vulnerability in glacier-dependent river basins, and authored commissioned reports for UN Women on migrant workers' socio-economic impacts in Nepal. She also co-edited Water Security across the Gender Divide and Thinking as Anarchists , advancing interdisciplinary debates in environmental humanities and critical theory. Teaching: Directed BSc Global Development and Sustainability at Bath Spa University (2020–2025), module leader for Cities and Environment , and teaches interdisciplinary research methods in environmental humanities. Grants: Leverhulme Trust (Digital Climate Futures, 2023–2026), HI-AWARE (2014–2018), and others addressing environmental migration and vulnerability. She is affiliated with the Research Centre for Environmental Humanities and the Climate, Hazards and Environmental Change Research Cluster at Bath Spa University. Her work bridges philosophical inquiry (e.g., Deleuze, Sartre) with applied research on environmental displacement, emphasizing the need for equitable, community-centered solutions.
Mariam Zachariah serves as a Research Fellow at the Centre for Environmental Policy within the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Imperial College London. She is a core contributor to World Weather Attribution (WWA), an international scientific collaboration conducting rapid climate change attribution analyses for extreme weather events globally. Her work bridges climate science, vulnerability assessment, and policy-relevant research. Her educational foundation includes a PhD from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB), where she investigated climate impacts on Indian agriculture. This research focused on drought and extreme temperature effects on crop yields in major agrarian regions, recognizing agriculture's critical role in India's climate-vulnerable economy. Zachariah's research centers on near-real-time attribution of extreme events to quantify human-induced climate change influences. Her expertise spans climate modeling, statistical analysis of extreme weather, and integrating vulnerability frameworks to assess compound impacts on communities. She examines how climate change interacts with socioeconomic factors to exacerbate disasters, particularly in agricultural systems and flood-prone regions worldwide. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a dominant focus on rapid attribution of droughts, floods, and heatwaves across diverse global contexts - from the Horn of Africa to Central Europe and South America. These studies consistently demonstrate climate change as a significant amplifier of event severity, while emphasizing how pre-existing vulnerabilities determine actual impacts. Her work increasingly addresses compound hazards and the intersection of climate change with infrastructure failures and land management. As a key member of the World Weather Attribution initiative, Zachariah collaborates with climate scientists, social scientists, and vulnerability experts in a unique operational framework that delivers scientific assessments within days of extreme events. This work directly informs policymakers, media, and affected communities about climate change's role in contemporary disasters.
Mark Bailey is a Professor of Late Medieval History at the University of East Anglia's School of History and Art History, working part-time. He previously taught at the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on late medieval England's economic and social history, particularly the socio-economic impact of the Black Death and the decline of serfdom. He is an award-winning scholar, recognized as Ford Lecturer in British History (2019) and a Visiting Fellow at All Souls College, Oxford (2018). Teaching includes organizing the module 'The Catastrophic Fourteenth Century' and contributing to the Medieval History Masters program. His research interests span urban governance, agricultural history, and demographic shifts. He actively participates in professional networks, serving as President of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History and on the Economic History Society's board. Key publications include After the Black Death (2021) and The Decline of Serfdom in Late-Medieval England (2014). His recent work explores labor legislation post-Black Death and gender dynamics in servile migration. He holds leadership roles in academic organizations, shaping policy on manorial documents and medieval archives.
Professor Paul Nugent is a Professor of Comparative African History at the School of History, Classics and Archaeology at the University of Edinburgh, where he also serves as Research Director in History. His work bridges historical scholarship with contemporary policy concerns, particularly regarding African borderlands, wine history, and governance dynamics across the continent. Professor Nugent holds a BA Hons from the University of Cape Town, and MA and PhD from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London. His academic journey began with a temporary lectureship in Comparative Politics at Keele University before joining Edinburgh, where he was promoted to Reader in 2003 and Professor in 2005. Professor Nugent's research primarily focuses on the comparative history of African borderlands, with particular attention to West Africa. His work examines how border regions have shaped state formation, governance, and everyday life, challenging conventional notions of margins and centers. He has also conducted extensive research on the history of the South African wine industry, exploring connections between race, consumption, and economic development. His scholarship spans colonial and postcolonial history, with special attention to Ghana, where he has studied electoral politics and social contracts. Professor Nugent approaches these topics through interdisciplinary frameworks that connect historical analysis with contemporary policy challenges. His scholarly output demonstrates remarkable consistency in exploring the intersections between space, power, and identity in African contexts. Over the past decade, his work has increasingly focused on the governance implications of infrastructure development and border management across the continent, while maintaining his longstanding interest in Ghanaian politics and the cultural history of wine production. ERC Advanced Grant (€2.5 million over 5 years) for "African Governance and Space: Transport Corridors, Border Towns and Port Cities in Transition" (AFRIGOS) Leverhulme Research Fellowship for research on South African wine history British Academy ODA-Challenge grant (2024-2025) for "Living Heritage, Climate Change and Sustainability in South African Agriculture" Fellow of the Stellenbosch Institute of Advanced Study (STIAS) Member of the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) in Princeton FRHistS (Fellow of the Royal Historical Society) Professor Nugent has supervised 34 successful PhD projects and currently mentors doctoral students including Francesco Longo and Kpanie Addy. His supervisory interests span wine and cultural heritage, African borderlands, regional integration, consumption studies (particularly alcohol), West African politics, and comparative imperial and colonial history. He has received significant research funding including a major ERC Advanced Grant and multiple British Academy grants, demonstrating the impact and relevance of his work to contemporary policy debates. His engagement extends beyond academia through advisory roles with the African Union Border Programme, ECOWAS, and the UNDP African Borderlands Centre. Professor Nugent founded and chairs the African Borderlands Research Network (ABORNE), which has evolved into a major international collaborative platform. He has also led significant research projects including the ERC-funded AFRIGOS project, which examined governance effects of large-scale infrastructure investments across Africa, and currently serves as PI for a British Academy project addressing climate action in the South African wine industry.
Professor Jill Edmondson serves as a Professor of Ecosystem Sustainability and NERC Knowledge Exchange Fellow at the School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, where she has been a Senior Lecturer since 2021. Her research focuses on enhancing ecosystem sustainability and resilience in urban and agricultural contexts through interdisciplinary approaches bridging soil science, plant ecology, and social dimensions. Her core research pillars include: Urban Horticulture , where she leads the national MYHarvest citizen science project quantifying home-grown food production while assessing ecosystem co-benefits and soil pollutant risks; Soil Carbon Dynamics , specializing in black carbon's role in urban soil carbon sequestration; and Urban Forest Ecology , investigating how pollution and infrastructure encasement impact tree health and ecosystem services like heat mitigation. Her work consistently integrates field studies with policy-relevant applications for city planning. Analysis of her 2020-2025 publications reveals intensifying focus on climate adaptation, with dominant themes including urban food security quantification, soil contaminant bioavailability, green infrastructure performance, and urban tree resilience. Methodologically, she pioneers citizen science integration and interdisciplinary field measurements, yielding actionable insights for urban sustainability policy. Her major recognitions include: NERC Knowledge Exchange Fellow (2022-present) EPSRC Living with Environmental Change Fellow (2016-2021) Professor Edmondson supervises undergraduate literature reviews and research projects across multiple programs (MBiolSci, MEnvSci, MSc, MRes), mentoring the next generation of sustainability scientists. Her grant portfolio features competitive fellowships supporting urban ecosystem research with direct policy applications through partnerships with local governments and environmental NGOs. She directs the MYHarvest citizen science initiative and collaborates extensively with the University of Sheffield's Institute for Sustainable Food, leading a multidisciplinary team spanning soil science, ecology, and engineering to develop evidence-based strategies for resilient urban ecosystems.
David Anderson is a Professor in African History at the University of Warwick's Faculty of Arts. His academic career spans over four decades, including roles as Professor in African Politics at the University of Oxford (2006-12) and Senior Lecturer in History at SOAS, University of London (1991-2002). His research focuses on colonial history, counter-insurgency, decolonization, and environmental politics. Anderson holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of Cambridge (1978-82) and a B.A. in History from the University of Sussex (1975-78). His notable works include Histories of the Hanged (2005), examining British counter-insurgency in Kenya, and Eroding the Commons (2002), analyzing colonial environmental policies. He has been honored with the 2025 Award for Research Communications, Fellow of the British Academy (2022–), and the Guggenheim Distinguished Scholar (2021–23). Anderson has supervised over 20 doctoral students, many of whom now hold academic positions globally. His research extends to public engagement, including documentaries on colonial history and Mau Mau rebellion. He is affiliated with the Global History & Culture Centre at Warwick and collaborates internationally on projects like the Stellenbosch-Warwick Partnership. Key themes in his work include colonial violence, environmental change, and postcolonial governance, reflected in his lectures and publications on topics such as Kenya’s detention camps, climate-driven conflicts, and the 'Migrated Archive' controversy.
Professor Anne Verhoef is a leading academic at the University of Reading, specializing in environmental and hydrological sciences. Her research focuses on soil-plant systems, climate change impacts, groundwater dynamics, and remote sensing applications in ecological modeling. She collaborates internationally on projects like GEWEX and AMMA, advancing understanding of global hydrological cycles and land-atmosphere interactions. Key Research Areas: Hydrological modeling and prediction Climate change adaptation in semi-arid regions Soil health and pedotransfer functions Evapotranspiration dynamics in tropical ecosystems Remote sensing for biodiversity and water resource assessments Her work integrates field observations, satellite data, and numerical models to address challenges in water resource management, flood mitigation, and sustainable agriculture. She has published widely in top journals such as Reviews of Geophysics , Water Resources Research , and Nature Reviews Earth & Environment . Professor Verhoef contributes to interdisciplinary initiatives, including climate adaptation strategies in transboundary regions and improving land surface models for global Earth system simulations. Her research emphasizes bridging gaps between observational data and predictive frameworks to inform policy and environmental decision-making.
Annie Tindley is Professor of British and Irish Rural History and Head of the School of History, Classics and Archaeology at Newcastle University. She has held academic positions at the University of Aberdeen, Glasgow Caledonian University, and the University of Dundee. MA (2001), MSc by Research (2002), PhD (2006) in History, University of Edinburgh Annie specializes in the history and contemporary legacies of land and environmental issues, focusing on landownership (private, state, and community), land reform, and interdisciplinary approaches to rural history. Her work bridges the Scottish, Irish, British, and imperial contexts from the mid-18th to the 21st century, engaging with environmental history, historical geography, and policy impact. Annie’s recent publications emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, linking land history to ecological studies, community decision-making, and heritage conservation. Her research integrates archival analysis with modern policy frameworks, addressing topics like river management, healthcare history, and the role of design in imperial contexts. Fellow of the Royal Historical Society Annie has secured funding from AHRC, NERC, and the Wellcome Trust for collaborative projects. She mentors early-career researchers and doctoral students, advocating for research-led teaching and innovative interdisciplinary modules. She co-edits Rural History and founded the Scotland's Land book series, while serving in leadership roles for historical and heritage organizations. Her work engages community landowners, heritage groups, and policymakers, centering historical narratives in future decision-making. She leads the AHRC-funded Connected Treescapes project and the Land Decisions network.
Professor Peter Smith is a Chair in Plant & Soil Science at the University of Aberdeen within the School of Biological Sciences . He obtained his PhD in 1991 and has held academic positions since 2001, including Senior Lecturer (2001), Reader (2003), and Professor of Soils & Global Change (2005). His work focuses on modelling greenhouse gas mitigation , bioenergy systems , and global food security . Fellowships: Royal Society (FRS), Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE), European Academy of Sciences (FEurASc), Indian National Science Academy (FNA) Leadership: Co-leader of the Environmental Modelling Group , Science Director at Scotland's Climate Change Centre of Expertise His research spans soil carbon dynamics , greenhouse gas removal technologies , and climate-agriculture interactions , with over 900 publications. Articles highlight work on bioenergy crops , soil monitoring frameworks , and global food system resilience . Funding includes major grants from NERC , EU , and UK government for projects like GHG Europe, DEVIL, and VERIFY. He serves as Editor for Global Change Biology and Global Change Biology Bioenergy .
