University of the Highlands and IslandsUnited Kingdom
Shaun Beattie is a Researcher affiliated with the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) at the University of the Highlands and Islands . His work focuses on marine conservation , seaweed biodiversity , and aligning research with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals . Education : Master of Science in Ecological Economics (University of Leeds, 2019), Bachelor of Science in Economics and Management Science (University of Southampton, 2018) Beattie's research explores the intersection of seaweed conservation , policy development , and ecosystem resilience . He contributes to global initiatives addressing biodiversity gaps in international frameworks and investigates the role of seaweeds in human health and marine habitats. His recent 2025 publications analyze seaweed conservation policies in Malaysia, stakeholder perspectives from Indonesia, and systemic gaps in biodiversity strategies. Shaun's work also spans climate-smart agricultural policy , as seen in his 2021 Sustainability review on nutrition integration in Southern Africa. His research outputs are linked to SDG targets like life below water, climate action, and zero hunger.
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.
Dr. Simon Beaumont is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Durham University , with additional responsibilities as Associate Dean (PGR) in the Faculty of Science. His research program integrates heterogeneous catalysis , nanomaterials , and in situ spectroscopic techniques to develop sustainable chemical processes. BA & MSci Natural Sciences, University of Cambridge (2003-2007) PhD in Heterogeneous Catalysis, University of Cambridge (2010) Postdoctoral Fellowship at UC Berkeley (2010-2012) Research foci include mechanistic studies of catalytic processes, nanoparticle synthesis , and in situ characterization via X-ray absorption (NEXAFS), DRIFTS, and Raman. His work addresses challenges in CO2 hydrogenation , biomass conversion , and environmental remediation , supported by national/EU/industrial funding. Recent publications highlight trends in selective hydrogenation (furfural), multi-functional catalysts (acid-base systems), and nanoparticle stability under reactive conditions. All studies emphasize molecular-level understanding for practical catalyst design. Scientific awards include Leverhulme Trust and Addison Wheeler fellowships. Teaching portfolio spans first-year laboratories , organic chemistry tutorials , and advanced catalysis lectures . Supervision of five research postgraduates and leadership of industry-funded projects further demonstrate his academic impact.
Dr. Lixin Cheng is a Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the Department of Engineering and Mathematics, Sheffield Hallam University, where he contributes to teaching core modules such as Transport Phenomena and oversees the chemical engineering program. His research focuses on multiphase flow and heat transfer, including enhanced heat transfer technologies, nanofluids, and carbon capture systems. He has held academic roles globally, including at Aarhus University, EPFL, and Xi'an Jiaotong University, and has extensive industry experience as a design engineer. Dr. Cheng is an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow and serves as editor-in-chief for multiple journals, including the International Journal of Microscale and Nanoscale Thermal & Fluid Transport Phenomena . Education: PhD in Thermal Energy Engineering (Xi'an Jiaotong University, 1998), followed by postdoctoral and research roles at leading institutions. His interdisciplinary research spans oil-gas-water systems, sustainable energy, and thermal energy management. He has authored over 80 papers and 8 books, with a focus on advancing thermal-fluid science and engineering applications. Research interests include gas-liquid two-phase flow dynamics, flow boiling/condensation, microchannel heat transfer, and CO₂-based thermal systems. His work bridges experimental studies, computational modeling, and industrial collaborations, addressing challenges in energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. Key contributions include editorial leadership in thermal-fluid journals, organizing international conferences (e.g., ISTFD), and developing predictive models for flow boiling in microchannels. His recent publications (2021–2025) emphasize green hydrogen systems, supercritical CO₂ applications, and heat transfer enhancement in microscale systems. Awards: Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (2000–present). Grants and collaborations include partnerships with international universities and industry players, focusing on thermal-fluid innovation. Labs/Teams: Active in Sheffield Hallam's Engineering and Mathematics Department, leading interdisciplinary research in multiphase systems and sustainable energy solutions.
Justin Sheffield is a Professor of hydrology and remote sensing and Head of the School of Geography and Environmental Science at the University of Southampton, UK. He holds a BSc in Mathematics with Oceanography (1989), MSc in Engineering Mathematics (1992), and PhD in Hydroclimatology (2008). His research focuses on large-scale hydrology, climate variability, hydrological extremes, and applications to natural hazards mitigation, with emphasis on water and food security in developing regions. Key research interests include drought monitoring/prediction, climate change impacts, and remote sensing integration. He leads projects like APP3793 (heat-related health risks) and EO-Africa (agricultural water management). Awards include the Prince Sultan Prize (2014), Plinius Medal (2013), and Robert E. Horton Lecturer (2019). His work spans global collaborations, including projects with the FAO and ESA, and he advises on PhD students. Notable publications address drought indices, crop yield modeling, and climate adaptation strategies.
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.
Professor Fay Couceiro is a Professor of Environmental Pollution in the School of Civil Engineering and Surveying at the University of Portsmouth. She leads the Microplastics Research Group and the 'Evaluating change across the plastics lifecycle' theme for the Revolution Plastics Institute, focusing on pollution sources, interventions, and collaborations with industry. She holds editorial roles at Cambridge Prisms: Plastics and peer reviews for multiple journals and funding bodies. Education: BSc in Marine Biology (Queen's University Belfast), PhD in Biogeochemistry (funded project on Strangford Lough), postdoctoral research at the University of Plymouth. Research Interests: Contaminants' fate, microplastics' environmental and health impacts, nutrient dynamics, heavy metals, and organic pollutants like PAHs. Her work integrates pure science with civil engineering solutions. Publications span 2007–2025, emphasizing microplastic toxicity, soil-oil interactions, and pollution mitigation strategies. Over 27 peer-reviewed articles highlight her contributions to environmental science. Advising & Grants: Supervises MSc/PhD students and collaborates with companies like Southern Water. Active in STEM outreach and UK research policy, including the EU's HR Excellence in Research accreditation process. Labs/Teams: Microplastics Research Group, Revolution Plastics Institute, and interdisciplinary teams in environmental technology and resilience.
Professor Ruchi Choudhary is a Professor in Architectural Engineering at the University of Cambridge, Department of Engineering, within the School of Technology. She leads the Energy Efficient Cities initiative (EECi), a cross-disciplinary research project focused on strengthening the UK's capacity to address energy demand reduction and environmental impact in cities through research in building and transport technologies, district power systems, and urban planning. Her research interests span urban energy systems, building energy modeling, sustainable cities, geothermal energy systems, and data-driven energy modeling . She has pioneered work in digital twins for energy systems, urban subsurface thermal modeling, and building-integrated agriculture. Her research group develops numerical tools to improve energy efficiency of cities, with particular focus on modeling energy consumption of large building sets at multiple time and spatial resolutions. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong trend toward integrating machine learning with physics-based modeling for energy systems, with increasing emphasis on uncertainty quantification, digital twins, and value of information analysis for decision-making. Her work bridges the gap between theoretical modeling and practical urban implementation, with significant focus on city-scale geothermal potential, underground climate change impacts, and energy equity considerations. Professor Choudhary has supervised numerous PhD students who have gone on to prominent positions at institutions including UCL, University of Cambridge, BEIS, Arup, and various international universities. Her research group includes faculty members, research associates, graduate students, and international collaborators from institutions worldwide. Her current research focuses on two parallel investigations: one on using multi-scale multidisciplinary models to address energy use questions in the built environment, and second, on quantifying uncertainties in model outcomes. Current projects include integration of food production in urban environments, analysis of underground transport systems as energy sources, large-scale integration of ground source heat pumps, and distributed energy networks.
Professor Nicole Metje is a Professor of Infrastructure Monitoring at the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Birmingham, and Director of the National Buried Infrastructure Facility. She also serves as Co-director of the Institute of Quantum Technology. Her research focuses on quantum sensing, geotechnical engineering, and infrastructure monitoring, with a particular emphasis on buried infrastructure detection and sustainable urban development. Education: PhD in Civil Engineering (University of Birmingham, 2001); Dipl.-Ing. in Civil Engineering (Hannover University, Germany, 1998). Key roles and affiliations include membership in EPSRC Infrastructure Strategic Advisory Team, Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors, and international advisory boards for Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She has authored/co-authored over 50 journal papers and a textbook on tunnel construction. Research areas include quantum sensor applications for buried asset detection, geophysical soil properties, and sensor development for infrastructure monitoring. She leads projects such as UKCRIC National Buried Infrastructure Facility and Quantum Technology Hub in Sensors and Metrology. Awards and fellowships include FICE, FCInstCES, CEng, FHEA, and multiple committee memberships in national/international bodies. Teaching includes MSc courses on underground construction and geotechnical engineering. She supervises doctoral research on quantum sensors, soil-structure interactions, and sustainable infrastructure.
Bruño Fraga is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Birmingham, part of the School of Engineering. He specializes in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) with a focus on turbulent and multiphase flows, particularly in applications like indoor air quality, water treatment, and airborne pathogen transport. His research group develops models such as Multiflow3D, addressing challenges in multiphase flow dynamics and environmental engineering. Education: MEng in Environmental Engineering (University of Santiago de Compostela, 1st class honors), MSc in Applied Math and Numerical Simulation (University of A Coruña), PhD in Civil Engineering (Universities of A Coruña and Chalmers). Research Interests: CFD modeling, bubble-induced turbulence, indoor air quality, water treatment technologies, and multiphase flow dynamics. Dr. Fraga leads major projects such as Fusion Forest (£1m, UKRI) and the IAQ-EMS initiative (£1m, Met Office), focusing on indoor air quality and pathogen transmission modeling. His work includes collaborations with organizations like Deltares Institute and Severn Trent, addressing wastewater treatment and environmental challenges. He is co-leader of the Fluids Research Group and the Water Technology stream at the University of Birmingham’s Water Centre. Scientific Awards: National Outstanding Graduate Prize (2011). Advising & Grants: Supervises graduate students in CFD and multiphase flow research. Oversees grants totaling over £2.1M, including fusion forest and buildair projects. Focuses on translating CFD expertise into real-world solutions for public health and environmental sustainability. Labs & Teams: Leads the Multiflow3D development team and collaborates with the Fluids Research Group and Water Technology stream.
Professor Cedo Maksimovic is a leading academic in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Imperial College London, Faculty of Engineering. He is a Principal Research Fellow and heads the Urban Water Research Group (UWRG), with affiliations to the Environmental and Water Resource Engineering group, Grantham Institute, Space Lab, and Urban Systems Lab. His research focuses on urban water systems , including storm drainage, urban flooding, water supply, and the interaction between urban infrastructure and the environment. He has pioneered work in applied fluid mechanics , smart water infrastructure , and flood risk management , with innovations such as the AOFD method for urban surface flood modelling and intelligent sensor networks recognized by the ICE Telford Gold Medal. His recent research, as reflected in publications, spans urban pluvial flooding , leakage detection , integrated urban water management , and blue-green infrastructure . These works emphasize computational modelling, real-time monitoring, and climate resilience in urban environments. UNESCO/IAHR Lecturer of the Year 2001 ICE Telford Gold Medal (WINES project team) Prof. Maksimovic has led major projects funded by EPSRC, EU (Climate-KIC, Interreg), UNESCO, and ERANET_CRUE. He advises postgraduate students and has created international educational initiatives like the EDUCATE programme. He also serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Urban Water Book Series and co-founded the Urban Water journal. He leads the UNESCO-endorsed IRTCUD/CUW network with centres in Banjaluka, Belgrade, Cairo, Kuala Lumpur, London, Porto Alegre, Tehran, and Trondheim, promoting global collaboration in urban water research and education.
Dr. Muhammad Imran is a Reader and Lecturer in Mechanical, Biomedical & Design Engineering at Aston University, UK. He is affiliated with the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI) and the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. His research focuses on energy efficiency, waste heat recovery, and low-temperature power cycles such as Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) and Supercritical CO₂ systems. He has contributed to the commercialization of ORC systems and collaborates internationally on hybrid energy systems, solar-thermal integration, and district heating networks. Dr. Imran holds a PhD in Energy System Engineering (2016), MSc in Thermal Power Engineering (2012), and BEng in Mechanical Engineering (2009). He has held academic roles at institutions in Pakistan, South Korea, and Denmark, including a Marie Curie Fellowship at the Technical University of Denmark. His awards include the Marie Curie Fellowship (EU), Innovation Award (South Asia Triple Helix), and multiple Research Excellence Awards from South Korea. He leads funded projects on hybrid energy systems for agriculture, waste heat recovery in industries, and sustainable energy solutions in developing countries. His editorial roles include associate editorships in Frontiers in Thermal Engineering and Resources, Environment and Sustainability . He supervises PhD students in renewable energy and low-temperature thermodynamic systems, with ongoing projects on solid-state heat pumps and advanced ORC control strategies. Dr. Imran’s work bridges engineering, data science, and environmental science to address energy challenges. Notable collaborations include projects in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Sudan, focusing on off-grid cold storage, smart irrigation, and biomass energy systems. His research outputs include over 130 peer-reviewed articles, patents, and contributions to international conferences.
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)United Kingdom
Susana Mourato is Professor of Environmental Economics at the Department of Geography and Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). She joined LSE in 2008 after ten years at Imperial College London. In 2021, she became the Vice President and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research) at LSE. She also holds positions as Visiting Reader at Imperial College London and Honorary Senior Fellow at CSERGE (University of East Anglia). Professor Mourato is an expert in environmental economics and the application of economic valuation techniques to measure environmental change and social value. Professor Mourato's research focuses on valuing natural wealth and creating markets for ecosystem services, perceptions and preferences for low-carbon energy technologies, environmental valuation methods and applications, and the relationship between life satisfaction and the environment. Her work spans the fields of environmental economics, wellbeing economics, and behavioral environmental economics. She has conducted extensive research on ecosystem services, wildlife conservation, air and water pollution, chemicals, climate change, low carbon technologies, and cultural heritage, testing and applying economic valuation techniques to these diverse areas. Her recent publications show a strong trend toward integrating behavioral economics with traditional environmental valuation techniques. She has published extensively on the links between subjective wellbeing and environmental quality, as well as the application of economic valuation methods to inform environmental policy. Her work often involves interdisciplinary collaborations across economics, ecology, and social sciences, with significant policy impact through government advisory roles and international organizations. Member of Culture & Heritage Capital Advisory Board (UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport) Associate of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment Former Academic Director of LSE Summer School Former Head of Department (2017-2020) Professor Mourato has worked on more than 45 research projects and consultancies for research councils, government, industry, charities, and international organizations. She currently leads projects for the OECD evaluating the impact of chemicals on IQ, for LSE Middle East Centre estimating preferences for climate change policies in the Gulf Region, and for water conservation in Kuwait. Her research has informed policy development in multiple countries and international contexts.
Marcos Cruz is Professor of Innovative Environments at The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London (UCL), where he leads research in bio-integrated design. He runs Bio-ID with Dr. Brenda Parker, a multidisciplinary research platform investigating design driven by biotechnology, computation, materials, and fabrication. Previously, he served as Director of The Bartlett from 2010-2014 and founded the BiotA Lab (2014-2018). His academic career spans multiple institutions including University College London (where he ran MArch Unit 20 for 19 years), University of Westminster (2008-2010), UCLA (2010), and IAAC (2014-present). Professor Cruz holds a Licenciatura from ESAP Porto, a Masters with distinction from UCL, and a PhD from UCL (2007), sponsored by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology. His doctoral research on 'Neoplasmatic Architecture' earned him the RIBA President's Research Award in 2008. He is a registered architect with both the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the Portuguese Architecture Chamber. His primary research area is Bio-Integrated Design, which explores how biotechnology and computation can reshape our built environment in response to climate change. This work goes beyond using nature as inspiration; instead, it treats nature as the medium for a multi-layered design approach. His key research project, Poikilohydric Living Walls, investigates integrating growth systems directly on building facades using algae and mosses that can switch photosynthetic activity on and off without additional maintenance. Another significant research area is The Body in Architecture, which examines the relationship between human flesh and architectural flesh, proposing a 'thick embodied flesh' that creates truly inhabitable architectural interfaces. His recent publications demonstrate a strong progression toward integrating living systems directly into building materials and facades. The research spans from microbial to tectonic scales, with increasing focus on biomaterials, robotic fabrication, and sustainable design approaches that actively participate in urban ecosystems rather than merely responding to them. RIBA President's Research Award (2008) for 'Neoplasmatic Architecture' Multiple Best Unit awards at Bartlett Summer Show (awarded by Thom Mayne, Paul Finch, Richard Rogers, Claude Parent, and Ross Lovegrove) Work part of permanent collection at FRAC Orleans Exhibitions at Venice and São Paulo Biennales Professor Cruz has supervised numerous PhD students through UCL's Research-by-Design programme and currently directs the MArch/MSc in Bio-Integrated Design. His research has been supported by EPSRC and involves industrial partners including Laing O'Rourke, Pennine Stone Limited, and Amorim, with academic partners at UCL Biochemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, and IST Tomar. He co-founded MAM-ARCH London (formerly marcosandmarjan) in 2000, whose work has built buildings and pavilions, won international competitions including the Kunsthaus Graz, and been exhibited globally. His practice represents a significant bridge between architectural design and biological systems, positioning him at the forefront of bio-integrated architectural research.
Xiaolei Fan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at The University of Manchester. He holds a BEng in Environmental Engineering from Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology (2003), an MRes in Chemical Engineering from East China University of Science and Technology (2006), and a PhD in Continuous Flow Heterogeneous Catalysis from the University of Bath (2010). His research focuses on nonthermal plasma catalysis, CO2 conversion, catalytic biorefinery, and zeolite-based catalysts. He has contributed to over 180 publications, supervised 20+ students, and led projects like the EU-funded SPACING initiative for biofuel production. Research interests include porous materials, reaction engineering, and process intensification through structured reactors/catalysts. He chairs the RSC Heterogeneous Catalysis committee and has organized conferences like the International Conference on Environmental Catalysis. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in clean energy and sustainable chemistry. Education: BEng (Environmental Engineering), Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology, 2003 MRes (Chemical Engineering), East China University of Science and Technology, 2006 PhD (Chemical Engineering), University of Bath, 2010 Awards: Lee Hsun Lecture Award (2018) Zhenxing Scholar Professor Award (2018) Outstanding Achievement Recognition (2018) Grants/Projects: SPACING: Sustainable Production of ACrylic Acid from Renewable Waste Glycerol (2021–2024) Labs/Teams: Catalysis and Porous Materials Group at The University of Manchester
