The University of Bristol’s Cabot Institute for the Environment has appointed new Director, Professor Guy Howard, from the University’s Department of Civil Engineering.
Guy is the Global Research Chair in Environmental and Infrastructure Resilience at the University and started his role as director on 1 October 2021, after acting as interim director since July. Previous director Professor Jemma Wadham has been appointed as Chair of UiT the Arctic University of Norway/Norwegian Polar Institute in Tromsø, Norway.
Guy said: "I am really pleased and excited to be appointed as the Director of the Cabot Institute. I have been familiar with Cabot for most of its life from early engagements when I was still working for the civil service, to being an active member since joining the University of Bristol in 2019. It is an honour the follow in the footsteps of the previous Director’s and to be working with such a great team, led by Sophie Ross-Smith, and the Cabot community".
"As I said when I was appointed as Interim Director, this autumn is a very important time for the environment. I am glad to say that through Professor Paul Bates supported by Amanda Woodman-Hardy and Adele Hulin, Cabot has been providing real leadership for the University. Next year it will be crucial for Cabot to demonstrate how it will respond to the outcomes of COP 26 and COP 15 to drive forward research and engagement to tackle the climate and ecological emergencies".
"Over the coming few months, I will be meeting with all the Theme leads and as many of the Cabot community as I can. I will be working with Sophie and the Cabot leadership team (Paul Bates, Katerina Michaelides, and Helen Thomas-Hughes) to ensure we have the resources we need to deliver an ambitious programme, I will be working with Helen Thomas-Hughes and Joanne Norris to ensure that the MScR continues to grow and to ensure all our students have a great experience, and I will be continuing, with Sophie, to reach out to Faculty Directors of Research and engaging with the Cabot External Advisory Board, so ably led by Dame Julia Slingo, to develop our internal and external partnerships.
"I am really looking forward to next few years in this role and really excited at helping the Cabot community and staff realise their full potential".
Professor Phil Taylor, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise said:
“I am delighted that Guy has been appointed as Cabot Institute Director. Guy brings a wealth of experience not just from academia but from civil service, industry and international organisations. With Guy’s leadership, the Cabot Institute is well placed to build on its excellent reputation as an interdisciplinary and solutions focussed research institute addressing global environmental challenges”.
You can contact Guy at cabot-director@bristol.ac.uk.