About The Prince of Wales Global Sustainability Fellowship Programme

The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) has established The Prince of Wales Global Sustainability Fellowship Programme with an ambition to unlock the potential of the University to partner with business, government and finance institutions on real-world challenges and opportunities that must be addressed in order to build a sustainable economy.

The Programme aims to foster new cross-disciplinary thinking on sustainability, leading to practical insights, tools and recommendations for decision-makers to carry into their organisations alongside important advances in fundamental knowledge. From 2020 the Programme will be based at CISL’s new premises; a low carbon retrofitted building in the centre of Cambridge, which will serve as a vibrant, collaborative atmosphere for transdisciplinary research, education and industry and policy engagement.

Working in close association with academic departments and Cambridge colleges, the Programme will attract outstanding candidates to undertake transdisciplinary research into themes such as health, social inclusion, industrial transformation, natural capital, sustainable finance, future cities and leadership for sustainability. 

The Programme is currently funded to support research on the following themes:

• Industrial transformation: How will industries, jobs and markets evolve in future decades in response to global challenges, and how should public policy act with business to smooth this path and ensure economic development is inclusive and sustainable?
• Business transformation:  How can tomorrow’s successful companies align purpose, strategy, and ambition with long-term value creation for society in order to play their part in delivering a sustainable economy?
• Social inclusion: How can companies support more equitable access to income, opportunity and livelihoods at a grassroots level?
• Health: How can companies become agents of improved wellbeing in low-income countries through preventing the causes of ill-health?
• Leadership: How do we develop the leadership we need to deliver value for business, society and the environment?
• Sustainable finance: How can we create a finance system that incentivises and rewards long-term thinking?

In the future we hope the Programme will expand to cover, amongst others:

• Future cities – How can cities develop vibrant communities of healthy people, supported by clean, green energy, food, water and transportation systems?

HRH The Prince of Wales has agreed that the University can establish the Programme in his name to bring researchers together with influential corporate and policy practitioners across the globe. Launched in July 2018, it represents a public tribute to his leadership in the cause of protecting the environment, promoting healthy communities, and building sound economies around the world.  

Funding for the Fellowships has been secured through philanthropic donations from companies, foundations and individuals.

"Universities contribute to society through the creation of new knowledge and the development of new skills. It is our aspiration to do this in ways that are relevant and purposeful.

The Prince of Wales Global Sustainability Fellowship Programme, hosted by the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, will help us to do just that by allowing academics to engage productively with business, government and financial institutions for society's benefit – both in the UK and globally."

Professor Stephen Toope, Vice-Chancellor, University of Cambridge

Current and future Fellowships

The following Prince of Wales Fellows have been appointed:

The following Prince of Wales Fellows are still to be appointed: (Please consult our current vacancies above)

* The Fellow will be appointed at the level of Senior Research Associate

**The Fellow will be appointed at the level of Research Associate

Applying to become a Prince of Wales Global Sustainability Fellow

This exciting new Programme offers Fellows the opportunity to develop and lead independent research projects of relevance to one of the defined topics. Fellows may have the opportunity to enhance their impact by teaching on CISL’s executive and graduate programmes, and/or supervising students studying for the MSt in Sustainability Leadership and other CISL graduate programmes.

We are currently accepting applications for the following topics:

Senior Research Associate – Social Inclusion

We are seeking to appoint a Fellow in luxury and social inclusion under The Prince of Wales Global Sustainability Fellowship Programme. Funding for the Fellowship has been secured through a philanthropic donation from Chanel Limited, but stewardship of the Programme lies with CISL.

The Fellow will be appointed for a period of three years to conduct high-impact research relevant to social inclusion, focussing on the potential role of the luxury sector in the transition towards more inclusive societies. The Fellow will investigate how the business models of luxury firms are affected by these debates, and the potential for companies selling luxury goods to contribute to solving recognised social challenges.

To apply for this opportunity, please follow the link to the University’s Web Recruitment System and upload the following documents:

1. Cover letter
2. Full CV
3. Completed research proposal template 
4. Proof of institutional support (only applicable if you are applying for a secondment).

Frequently asked questions

If you have any question regarding our Fellowship Programme or the recruitment process, please consult our FAQ sheet or contact research@cisl.cam.ac.uk

College affiliation

Cambridge colleges operate autonomously from the University and complement the work of academic departments by providing a stimulating environment for cross-disciplinary and social interaction, while also providing access to facilities and pastoral support. Should they wish, Fellows will be eligible to become members of Trinity College Post-Doctoral Society. Further information about the Trinity College Post-Doctoral Society can be found here and on their events page.