The Prince of Wales Global Sustainability Fellowship Programme aims to attract leading academics from around the world to undertake research in co-operation with the private sector to identify breakthrough solutions to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). |
About
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.
Themes
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?
- Sustainable Finance: How should financial institutions navigate a widening set of sustainability risk factors while facilitating the flow of capital into solutions?
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.
Current Fellowships
Theme: Industrial Transformation
Topic |
Summary |
Fellow |
Donor |
Radical innovation and disruption |
The implications of innovation and disruption associated with the transition to a sustainable economy. |
Dr Pablo Salas |
Paul and Michelle Gilding |
Transforming the pulp and paper industry |
How trends of innovation and sustainability will reshape the future of the paper and pulp industry. |
Dr Polina Yaseneva |
Sappi |
Pathways to a circular economy |
Business risks and opportunities provided by ‘circular’ versus ‘linear’ models of production and consumption. |
Dr Anna Barford |
Unilever |
Infrastructure and sustainable communities |
The effectiveness of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in delivering sustainable development at the local level. |
Dr Elia Apostolopoulou |
The Equal Opportunities Foundation |
Future Fellowships
Theme |
Topic |
Summary description |
Donor |
Industrial Transformation |
Air quality and NCDs* |
The impacts of air quality on respiratory, oncological and cardiovascular disease prevalence. |
AstraZeneca |
Business Transformation |
Sustainability decision-making* |
Evaluating investment decisions to ensure maximal social and natural value from the distribution of limited resources |
Anglian Water |
Community wellbeing* |
Contribution of community engagement by the retail sector to community wellbeing in the UK. |
Asda |
|
Luxury and social inclusion* |
The potential role of the luxury sector in the transition towards more inclusive societies. |
Chanel |
|
Connected communities* |
The role of retailers in empowering consumers and connecting them to solutions that enable sustainable consumption |
Sainsbury’s |
|
Nutrition in first 1,000 days of life ** |
Micronutrient deficiency in Sub-Saharan Africa - factors underlying diet of children in first 1000 days. |
Royal DSM |
|
Sustainable Finance |
Climate risk in aviation* |
Scenarios for transition and physical risk for the aviation industry. |
Heathrow |
* The Fellow will be appointed at the level of Senior Research Associate
**The Fellow will be appointed at the level of Research Associate
