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People

Management Team

Dr Anne Velenturf

Anne is a senior research fellow specialising in circular economy at the University of Leeds. She works on the interface of academic research and delivering knowledge exchange to facilitate the transition towards a sustainable circular economy. Anne leads the Yorkshire Circular Lab.

Michael Howroyd

Michael is a co-founder of the Yorkshire Circular Lab and serves as the Sustainability Programme Lead for Biodiversity at the University of Leeds. Drawing upon his extensive background in effectively implementing sustainability initiatives, Michael presently oversees the University of Leeds' Biodiversity program and presides as the chair of the EAUC Biodiversity Community of Practice. Furthermore, he played a pivotal role in establishing the University's Environmental Management System (EMS), ultimately leading to the attainment of ISO14001 certification. In addition, he spearheaded the development of the pioneering university initiative known as Reuse@Leeds and crafted the University's behavioural change program, 'Blueprint'.

Dr Paul Jensen

Paul is a Lecturer in Business, Environment and Development at the Sustainability Research Institute at the University of Leeds. He has a broad academic background in sustainable regional development, both in the UK and overseas. Paul is particularly interested in the flow of energy and resources through agro, urban and industrial ecosystems and how these can be optimised to facilitate equitable low carbon development.

Researchers

Dr Clare Richardson-Barlow

Clare is an interdisciplinary social scientist whose research and teaching explores energy policy, political economy and energy governance. She is a Research Fellow in the School of Chemical & Process Engineering at the University of Leeds and a tutor in East Asian studies in the School of Languages, Cultures & Societies. In 2021, Clare reviewed circular economy strategies of local and regional government actors in Yorkshire for the Yorkshire Circular Lab.

Dr Helen Freeman

Helen is an expert in sustainable and low-carbon technologies. She specialised in science communications. Helen is the network coordinator for the Future Urban Ventilation Network and held a Parliamentary Academic Fellowship with the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology. In 2021, Helen analysed workshop findings in preparation of a circular economy strategy and work programme for Yorkshire.

Academic network

The Yorkshire Circular Lab collaborates across universities in Yorkshire. We are developing a network of lead contacts in each university to streamline our operations.

Professor David Gibbs

David Gibbs is Emeritus Professor of Human Geography in the Department of Geography, Geology and Environment at the University of Hull. His main research interests are in local and regional economic development with a particular focus on economy-environment interactions.

Dr John Lever

John is Reader in Sustainable and Resilient Communities at the University of Huddersfield. He is an interdisciplinary social scientist with a background in sociology, human geography and latterly management. John's research interests revolve around sustainable communities and sustainable food systems.

Claire Booth

Claire joined Leeds Arts University as Sustainability Manager in August 2023. Claire leads on the strategic direction of Sustainability at Leeds Arts and is responsible for developing, coordinating and driving the implementation of sustainability projects and initiatives aligned to the University’s Sustainability Framework and the SDG Accord.

Advisory Board

The Yorkshire Circular Lab has an advisory board with a rotating membership of key individuals active in implementing a circular economy in Yorkshire. We currently inviting new members for 2022-2023, come back soon to check who will be joining us!

We are also grateful for our inaugural advisory board for 2020-2021 who helped to guide the co-production of the Yorkshire Circular Lab:

Consultants

The Yorkshire Circular Lab regularly works with external consultants to deliver short-term projects. Please drop Dr Anne Velenturf a line if you would like to be invited to tender for forthcoming contracts.