News / Marvin Rees
Former mayor named honorary industrial professor at Bristol Uni
The University of Bristol have announced that Marvin Rees is becoming an honorary industrial professor and that they will be “harnessing his global networks” when he joins the Cabot Institute for the Environment.
Industrial professors are not academics but people “who are distinguished in their field”, with the status initially conferred for three years.
On announcing the news, the Cabot Institute said that Rees’ focus will be on helping to make all cities “fairer, better and more sustainable”.
is needed now More than ever
Rees said: “I’m very excited about this role and it’s an honour to be joining the team.
“The University of Bristol has been a really important city partner during my time in office and the Cabot Institute has an excellent reputation for its world-leading climate research.
“I look forward to further raising the profile of these expertise and strengthening these alliances on a global scale for the benefit of all, especially those most disadvantaged by the effects of climate change…
“I’m from a family of migrants who lived in slums and I grew up poor myself, living in deprived areas of Bristol.
“It has always been my mission to make the world a fairer, better place, and this work to supercharge social change is another expression of that.”
Rees delivered his annual State of the City addresses at the University of Bristol’s Wills Memorial Building – photo: Bristol City Council
Rees was closely involved with the university during his eight years as Bristol mayor, in particular with work on the new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus next to Temple Meads.
His appointment continues the revolving door between City Hall and the University of Bristol, with the university’s chief property officer, Barra Mac Ruairi, previously Bristol City Council’s strategic place director as well as having worked for YTL.
Rees’ new job also comes as his former deputy mayor, Craig Cheney, who did not stand for re-election in May, has been appointed as managing partner in the public sector & education team at Cambridge Management Consulting.
Marvin Rees will be working closely with researchers from all academic disciplines including climate policy and climate justice specialist Dr Alix Dietzel – photo: University of Bristol
Cabot Institute director, professor Guy Howard, praised his new colleague.
He said: “Through his work with the global network of city mayors, Marvin has developed a fantastic network of key decision-makers.
“We will now be able to engage with these networks, sharing crucial evidence from the research at the university and making a greater impact thanks to these new relationships.”
University of Bristol vice-chancellor, professor Evelyn Welch, added: “I am delighted to welcome Marvin Rees to the Cabot Institute and university as a whole.
“He brings a great deal of unique experience into this new role, and we are all looking forward to working with him.
“The Cabot Institute is respected across the world for its leading research to improve our understanding of climate change and identify possible solutions.
“Marvin Rees has been a leader in creating a global network of mayors who are committed to a just transition to net zero. He will be a great addition to our work on cities and climate change.”
Main photo: Swansea University
Read next:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
