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Natural England Scientific Advisory Committee Appointment

Date

water@leeds and The University of Leeds Social Sciences Institute (LSSI) are delighted to announce that our Associate Director Professor Julia Martin-Ortega, and member of the Sustainability Research Insitute, has been appointed as a member of the Social Science Expert Panel (SSEP) of the Natural England Scientific Advisory Committee (NESAC).

Julia is a Professor in Ecological Economics and Associate Director of water@leeds, one of the largest interdisciplinary centres for water research in any university in the world.  Julia is also member of the Steering Committee of the LSSI and the Steering Committee of the Scottish Government’s Centre for Expertise in Waters, as well as a member of the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council Peer Review College.

“Through this role in SSEP, I hope I can fulfil my aspiration of making use of my knowledge, research abilities and collaborative attributes to make a positive impact in the way in which society enjoys and respects the planet.” says Julia.

This role will allow Professor Martin-Ortega to further strengthen the collaborative partnership between the University of Leeds and Natural England.  Her expertise in nature human-relationships will be a great asset to the NESC.

               GABRIELA LOPEZ-GONZALEZ, Water@Leeds Co-Ordinator

SSEP provides high-quality, independent social science advice, challenge and review to Natural England and works to strengthen its relationship with the wider social science community.  The expert panel are expected to: 

  • Advise the Natural England Board on the social science aspects related to the coherence, integrity and relevance of Natural England’s science, evidence and evaluation strategy. 
  • Challenge the rationale and methods for proposed studies and to the emerging findings of specific pieces of research. 
  • Champion Natural England’s social science work and promote inter-disciplinarity: helping to ensure that social science has a strong and persuasive voice and helping to demonstrate the value of social science within Natural England and more widely through forging links and partnerships with the wider social scientific and interdisciplinary community. 

Camilla McCartney, Engagement Officer within the LSSI adds,

“Interdisciplinary social science research is fundamental in responding to the complex global challenges facing contemporary society. We are delighted that through this appointment to SSEP, Professor Martin-Ortega will help to embed and integrate such approaches and expertise in thinking about how best to protect and restore the natural world.“

 

Please click the following links for full details of the Natural England Scientific Advisory Committee and Natural England’s Governance Natural England’s Governance Page.