Professor Carolyn Roberts

Carolyn Roberts was the first Professor of Environment at Gresham College, London, and is now a Fellow and Professor Emerita. Gresham College was the original home of the UK’s Royal Society and has been providing public lectures in the City since 1597; architect Sir Christopher Wren and scientist Robert Hooke were early Gresham professors.  Carolyn’s interests lie particularly in the sustainable management of water, in promoting innovation and in linking businesses, universities and other organizations to secure collaboration. Currently a self-employed water and environment consultant, during a diverse career she has worked in several universities, including the University of Oxford where she directed a government-funded unit linking businesses with universities to develop innovative environmental technologies. She currently works part time at Keele University in Staffordshire, as Entrepreneur-in-Residence, with a similar remit of linking business to the University. Previously, she was Head of the multidisciplinary School of Environment at the University of Gloucestershire and chaired the university’s Sustainable Development Committee, prompting Gloucestershire’s rise to the top of the UK university ‘Green League Tables’. She also directed the Centre for Active Learning, a national Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. She is the author of many books and papers, and was privileged to be involved with ULAB’s early promotion of sustainable practice. She has been Chair of the UK’s Society for the Environment, and the Institution of Environmental Sciences, and sometimes works for the UK government promoting UK science internationally.