Dr. Emre Bayraktar is a Professor of Civil Engineering at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), having previously held faculty positions at Florida International University (2006–2017) and Istanbul Technical University (2018–2022). He earned his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Purdue University. His expertise spans construction engineering, infrastructure management, and transportation systems. He has secured over $2 million in research funding for projects related to construction efficiency, maintenance investment decisions, and public-private partnerships. Dr. Bayraktar’s research focuses on decision support frameworks for infrastructure maintenance, innovative revenue-generation strategies for highway systems, and dispute resolution in construction. He has authored over 25 articles in top journals and received the 2010 and 2012 Kauffman Professor Awards. He currently serves on the editorial board of the ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering . His career highlights include leading projects funded by the Florida DOT, Construction Industry Institute, and the European Commission. He has contributed to advancements in green building technologies, smart parking systems, and counterfeiting risk governance in supply chains. His work bridges technical and managerial aspects of construction, emphasizing practical applications and policy implications.
Dr. Jonathan Patz is the Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor and John P. Holton Chair of Health and the Environment at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with joint appointments in the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and Department of Population Health Sciences. He served as inaugural Director of the Global Health Institute (2011-2022) and directs the Planetary Health Scholars Program. A physician-scientist board-certified in Occupational/Environmental Medicine, he holds an MD from Case Western Reserve University (1987) and MPH from Johns Hopkins University (1992). His pioneering research examines climate change impacts on human health, including heat-related mortality, infectious disease patterns, and air pollution effects. Complementary work explores health co-benefits of climate solutions such as active transportation, sustainable food systems, and clean energy policies. His research integrates environmental epidemiology, policy analysis, and ecological modeling to address planetary health challenges. Publications demonstrate consistent focus on climate-health interactions across multiple scales: from urban design impacts on active transportation to global assessments of decarbonization benefits. Recent work emphasizes equity dimensions of climate policies and economic valuation of health co-benefits. Major Scientific Honors: Nobel Peace Prize (2007 IPCC contributor) National Academy of Medicine Member (2019) Zayed International Prize for Environment (2006) Homer Calver Award for environmental health leadership Aldo Leopold Leadership Fellowship He has testified before both houses of Congress and served on numerous national committees including the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Research has been supported by NSF, NIH, EPA, NASA, CDC, and NOAA.
Rebecca Duff serves as Director of Thought Leadership at the Batten Institute, a Center of Excellence within the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. With over 20 years of experience in industry and technology research, she focuses on decarbonization strategies, emerging technologies, and policy interventions. She oversees research initiatives that bridge academia, industry, and policy, particularly in sustainability and artificial intelligence. Key roles include co-leading the Darden Sustainability Advisory Council and coordinating cross-center collaborations. Her education includes a B.S. from Mary Washington College and an M.S. from Johns Hopkins University. Research interests emphasize climate action pathways, innovation ecosystems, and the intersection of technology with environmental policy. She co-authored The Decarbonization Imperative: Transforming the Global Economy by 2050 and contributed to multiple Batten Institute reports on sector-specific decarbonization strategies. Publications highlight trends in COP28 negotiations, carbon disruption technologies, and green innovation post-pandemic. She actively engages in podcasts such as The Good Disruption and Ideas to Action , disseminating research on sustainability and climate solutions. While no formal awards are listed, her work demonstrates impactful contributions to policy-relevant research and thought leadership in decarbonization.
Dr. Sujuan Zhang is a Lecturer in Project Organising at the School of Project Management, University of Sydney (since November 2024). Previously, she served as an Assistant Professor of Construction Project Management at Xiamen University (2021–2024). She holds a PhD in Construction Project Management from the University of Hong Kong, along with bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Tianjin University, China. Her research focuses on owner-domain project organizing, particularly addressing challenges in complex, dynamic environments such as ESG integration and digital transformation. Key areas include megaproject management, infrastructure PPP governance, and BIM capabilities. She has contributed to projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and NSFC-RGC collaborations. Awards include a Highly Commended Paper at the 4th International Symposium on Project Leadership (2024), the HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund Reaching Out Award (2019), and a National Postgraduate Scholarship (China, 2014). Teaching responsibilities include coordinating units like PMGT5820 (Execution and Acceptance) and PMGT2854 (Executing Projects). She is affiliated with the John Grill Institution for Project Leadership, NZI Net-Zero Institute, and CRIOCM.
Dr Clair Gough is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Manchester’s Department of Civil Engineering and Management, affiliated with the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research since its inception in 2000. With over 30 years of expertise in integrated assessment methodologies, her work focuses on interdisciplinary research linking technical and social science analyses, particularly in energy systems and climate change mitigation. Her primary research areas include carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS), biomass energy with CCS (BECCS), and greenhouse gas removal technologies. She has contributed significantly to understanding stakeholder engagement, public perceptions of low-carbon technologies, and socio-technical systems analysis. Clair’s academic contributions include co-editing the first book on BECCS and publishing extensively on CCS and energy policy. She has held roles such as member of the BEIS Oversight Group on Public Perceptions of CCS and the UK Climate Assembly. Her research addresses complex challenges in deploying carbon removal technologies, spatial planning for energy infrastructure, and policy frameworks for net-zero emissions. She is also involved in datasets like the 'Navigating the BECCS landscape' project, integrating community, policy, and logistical analyses for sustainable energy solutions. Education : PhD in Civil Engineering and Management (supervised by I.D. Miles, 2014) Affiliations : Manchester Energy, Manchester Environmental Research Institute, and Energy Sustainable Futures Her research interests encompass long-term scenarios, public engagement strategies, and the ethical dimensions of carbon management. Clair’s work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to climate action, affordable clean energy, and sustainable cities. She actively participates in policy advisory roles and public discourse on decarbonization challenges.
Jaise Kuriakose is a Lecturer in Climate Change & Resilience at the School of Engineering, University of Manchester, affiliated with the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research. His research focuses on Net Zero energy systems' resilience to climate change, employing quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze socio-technological innovations like heat pumps and energy storage. He leads the UKRI project on demand flexibility from heat pumps and contributed to DESNZ's Climate Services for Net Zero (CS-N0W) initiative. Education: PhD in 'The resilience of low carbon electricity provision to climate change impacts: the role of smart grids' (University of Manchester, 2016). Prior industry experience includes renewable energy engineering projects. Teaching includes courses on renewable energy, sustainable waste management, and zero-carbon buildings. Awards include the 2019 Making a Difference Award and recognition by Climate Reframe as a top UK BAME climate expert. Consultancy work includes Electricity North West and policy engagement with UK parliamentary committees. Research highlights: Over 250 local authorities influenced, five cities adopting net-zero targets (e.g., Greater Manchester's 2038 goal). Key areas include carbon budgets, energy system modeling, and climate risk assessment for infrastructure. Media engagements include BBC News Breakfast and multiple policy submissions.
Dr. Tania Dias Fonseca serves as Associate Professor and Strategic Academic Lead for Sustainability at Kingston University, where she leads Strand 1 of the University's Sustainability Plan—integrating UN Sustainable Development Goals across learning, teaching, research, and knowledge exchange. Collaborating with senior leadership, academics, and students, she drives institutional change to embed sustainability as a core component of the student experience and Kingston's civic mission. Her work has earned national recognition including Kingston's Highly Commended status at the UK and Ireland Green Gown Awards. Her academic journey includes: 2003: Licenciatura in Physics and Chemistry Education (variant Physics), University of Lisbon 2005: Postgraduate studies in Child Protection, University of Coimbra 2009: Master of Education, University of Lisbon 2015: PhD in e-Planning, University of Lisbon/Aveiro/Nova University of Lisbon 2016: Qualified Teacher Status, National College for Teaching & Leadership Dr. Dias Fonseca's research investigates how educational institutions foster civic agency around socio-scientific issues, with positionality and inclusion central to addressing climate change inequalities. She pioneers Education for Sustainable Development frameworks that transform curricula while advancing social justice. Her teaching spans nursing, midwifery, and business programs, emphasizing project-based learning and digital pedagogies. Recent publications reveal strong thematic cohesion across sustainability integration (2023), digital citizenship (2019), and inclusive engineering education (2021), consistently linking pedagogical innovation to UN Sustainable Development Goals. Her work bridges theory and practice through case studies in Portuguese and UK contexts, with growing emphasis on AI-powered sustainability tools. Key recognitions include: Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2021) Education for Sustainable Development Action Learning Set Facilitator certification Anti-Racist Pedagogies Trainer certification As supervisor for two doctoral candidates and Principal Investigator of multiple research projects—including the £29,400 SDGs Navigator grant—she cultivates next-generation sustainability leaders through hands-on initiatives like the Green Skills Van and Sustainability card game. Her leadership extends to Kingston's Net Zero Steering Group, Race Equality Charter, and Athena Swan committees, while externally she co-chairs the UK University Alliance Sustainability Network and serves as ARLT-ALT SIG Internal Engagement Officer. Through the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Centre, Dr. Dias Fonseca designs nationally accredited programs (SALT and Introduction to Learning and Teaching) while delivering CPD workshops across Europe on inclusive sustainability pedagogy. Her international consultancy for the European Commission and Portuguese institutions demonstrates global impact in educational innovation.
Rene Germain is a Professor in the Department of Sustainable Resources Management at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF). He holds a Ph.D. in Forest Management and Policy from SUNY-ESF (1997). His research focuses on sustainable forestry practices, supply chain management in forest products, and the socio-economic impacts of land use changes. Germain has extensive experience in analyzing logging costs, BMP adoption, and the effects of parcelization on forest ecosystems. His work spans North America and international regions like Myanmar and India. He leads projects on riparian management zones, carbon markets, and the economic viability of innovative harvesting techniques. Over 30 years, he has published widely in leading forestry journals, with a focus on practical solutions for sustainable resource management. Germain advises four graduate students focusing on forest management and operations. He has conducted workshops on silviculture, BMPs, and GIS applications, training over 2,000 professionals. His recent work emphasizes balancing ecological health with economic viability in working forests, particularly in the NYC Watershed and Northeastern US. Key themes in his research include: sustainable forest certification challenges, the socio-ecological impacts of parcelization, and optimizing harvest systems for both productivity and environmental protection. His projects often integrate interdisciplinary approaches to address complex land-use trade-offs.
Dr Xiaobo (Bob) Zhao is a Senior Lecturer in Law at the School of Law and Justice, University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ). He specializes in environmental law, climate change litigation, and Chinese legal systems. His research focuses on contaminated land regimes, transnational environmental governance, and tort law. Dr Zhao holds a PhD from Western Sydney University (2012), an LLM from Wuhan University (2008), and an LLB from Zhongnan University (2004). Teaching responsibilities include courses such as Australian Tort Law, Media Law, and Environmental Law. He has developed five innovative undergraduate and postgraduate courses since 2016, including Sustainable Environmental Governance and Water Resources Law. His pedagogical approach emphasizes student-centered learning and practical skills development. Dr Zhao's research has been funded by organizations like the Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA), Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), and the Shanghai Government. Notable projects include a comparative study on net-zero carbon emissions legal pathways (ASSA-CASS 2023) and a sub-project on environmental litigation under China's National Social Science Fund (2023). He has authored/co-authored influential books on environmental law, including Contemporary Australian Tort Law (Cambridge UP, 2024) and Environmental Public Interest Litigation in China (Springer, 2023). His work is cited globally, with monographs held in 378 libraries worldwide and featured in the Oxford Handbook of Comparative Environmental Law. Awards include the Shanghai Pujiang Scholar (2013) and a 2022 Research Showcase with former High Court Judge Kirby. He serves on the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law and chairs PhD confirmation panels at UniSQ. Dr Zhao also reviews manuscripts for leading publishers like Cambridge, Springer, and Brill. Professional memberships span the Chinese Society for Environmental Science, IUCN’s Soil and Sustainable Agriculture Law Network, and the Research Institute of Environmental Law (RIEL) at Wuhan University.
Joana Ferreira is a Lecturer at Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) within the Department of Rural Economy Environment And Society. She specializes in agricultural sustainability, ecosystem services, and agroecological practices. Ferreira holds a Licentiate Degree in Environmental Terrestrial Biology from Universidade de Lisboa (2008), an MSc in Ecology and Environmental Management (2010), and an MSc in Ecological Economics (2013), both from Portuguese and UK institutions. Her research focuses on evaluating farm management practices' impacts on ecosystems, policy implementation in agricultural sectors, and behavioral adaptations to climate change. Key projects include the Low-Input Farming and Territories initiative (2018–2022), analyzing ecosystem-based farming systems across Europe. Research Highlights: Economic analysis of ecological practices in Scottish farming Rapid evidence assessments on farming behavior change Development of performance indicators for sustainable agriculture Her work bridges environmental science and socio-economic factors, emphasizing practical policy solutions for sustainable agriculture.
Bobby Macaulay is a Researcher at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), affiliated with the Centre for Mountain Studies and Energy Innovation Team. He holds a PhD from Glasgow Caledonian University (2020) on community landownership's impact on rural health in Scotland. His research focuses on land reform, sustainable rural development, and democratic dynamics in peripheral regions. He contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health, sustainable communities, and climate action. Roles: Research Associate, Committee Member of Scottish Land Fund, Chair of Community Landownership Academic Network (CLAN) Key research interests include community landownership's role in health equity, circular economy transitions, and ethical tourism recovery in Arctic areas. His work bridges policy and practice, emphasizing citizen engagement in evidence-based governance. Recent projects include the UHI Islands 2020 Strategy and WHO citizen engagement frameworks. He has published widely on rural policy innovations, earning awards like the Donald J. Brenner Early Career Award (2019). Media engagements include discussions on land ownership's climate impacts and ethical tourism strategies.
Dr. Anthony Higney is a Researcher in Ecology & Environmental Change at the University of Glasgow. His work focuses on environmental policy, urban sustainability, and interdisciplinary research at the intersection of environmental science and social sciences. He has conducted studies on net-zero retrofit strategies for urban housing, the lead-crime hypothesis, and behavioral economics interventions. Dr. Higney collaborates with institutions on projects evaluating energy policies and urban development. He can be contacted via email or via ORCID . His research interests span environmental policy analysis, sustainability transitions in urban environments, and the socio-economic impacts of environmental interventions. Recent work includes cost-benefit analyses of building retrofit projects and meta-analyses exploring correlations between environmental factors and societal outcomes like crime rates. Publications demonstrate engagement with diverse topics such as energy policy, behavioral nudges, and urban planning. While no awards are explicitly listed, his contributions reflect active participation in impactful environmental and social research. No advising roles or grants are detailed in the provided information.
Simon Dietz is a Professor of Environmental Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), affiliated with the Department of Geography and Environment and the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment. He co-directed the Grantham Institute from 2011 to 2017 and is Research Director of the Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI) Centre. His research focuses on climate policy, sustainability, and corporate climate action. Education: BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science from the University of East Anglia, followed by MSc and PhD degrees in environmental policy and economics from LSE. Research Interests: Decision-making under uncertainty, equity/social justice in climate policy, economic growth-environment linkages, and international climate agreements. He emphasizes integrating climate science with economic models to assess mitigation and adaptation strategies. Notable Contributions: Pioneered analyses of corporate climate goals, developed frameworks for assessing climate risks to financial assets, and contributed to the social cost of carbon literature. His work bridges academic research and policy, influencing investor-led initiatives like the TPI. Awards: EAERE Award for Outstanding Publication (2013), European Award for Environmental Economics Researchers (2018).
Professor Ian Bailey is a Professor of Environmental Politics at the University of Plymouth's School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. His research focuses on climate and energy politics, sustainability transitions, and environmental governance. He holds a BA (Hons) in Geography from the University of Birmingham (1987), an MSc in Social Research (1996), and a PhD from the University of Plymouth (2000). Before academia, he worked in management until 1998. His teaching includes modules such as 'Environmental Politics and Governance' and 'Sustainability: Science, Governance and Society.' Research interests span climate policy, renewable energy governance, grassroots sustainability, and marine environments, with a focus on the EU, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. He has contributed to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as an expert reviewer and served on Devon’s Net Zero Task Force since 2019. His recent work examines carbon markets, climate policy alignment, and the governance of plastics pollution. He emphasizes the spatial dimensions of climate justice and the political dynamics of emissions trading schemes. His publications analyze policy effectiveness across nations and explore challenges in engaging island communities for renewable energy adoption.
Marcos Kauffman is a Professor and Director of the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) at Coventry University. He leads the Research Centre for Manufacturing and Materials, focusing on innovation strategies, digital manufacturing, and intellectual property (IP) frameworks. With over 10 years in UK manufacturing industry roles, he specializes in cross-disciplinary R&D projects integrating technology and business models. Education: LLB Honours in Law, University of Buckingham PhD from Coventry University’s Centre for Business in Society Research Interests: Intellectual Property strategies in Industry 4.0 Augmented Reality (AR) applications in manufacturing Net Zero decarbonization for SMEs Digital Twin technology Horizontal integration in manufacturing ecosystems Key Projects (2021–2027): Clean Futures - West Midlands Innovation Accelerator (2023–2025) CLEAN: Clean Logistics for Emerging African Nations (2022–2024) Power Electronics Upscale for Localisation and Sustainable Electrification (2024–2027) Labs/Teams: Leading the AME’s cross-disciplinary research teams Collaborating with industry partners on digital twin and AR initiatives
