LEADER – Prof Christopher Dent

Christopher is Professor of Economics and International Business. He is an international political economist whose main interests in sustainability relate to renewable energy, trade, business and climate action. He joined the University in 2018 and was the lead organiser of the November 2019 Sustainability in the Region event.
His current research projects and ideas are focused on:
- Trade-climate nexus – policies, governance and business practice
- Climate action measures in free trade agreements and other forms of international trade diplomacy
- Renewable energy development in East Asia and globally
- Sustainable development options in a post Covid-19 world
- Small-scale renewables entrepreneurship in developing countries
He is also interested in integrating sustainability into higher education curricula and in the 2020/21 academic year will be teaching a new designed module – Sustainability and Business (BUS3048)
Further Information
- Email: christopher.dent@edgehill.ac.uk
- Staff Profile: https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/business/staff/dr-christopher-dent/
CO-LEADER – Prof Paul Aplin

Paul is Professor of Geography at Edge Hill University, after 15 years in post at the University of Nottingham.
He is a geospatial scientist, exploiting satellite imagery for environmental investigation and monitoring. His research focuses in particular on spatial and temporal scales of observation, methods of land cover characterization, application to ecological problems, and interactions between environmental change and human society.
Currently, he is working on the changing nature of tropical peatland environments, especially the uncomfortable relationship between peat swamp forest conservation and palm oil agriculture sustainability.
Further Information
- Email: paul.aplin@edgehill.ac.uk
- Staff Profile: https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/geography/staff/professor-paul-aplin/
CO-LEADER – Elaine Beesley

Elaine is a Web Developer at Edge Hill University and has worked there in several roles within IT Services since 2001. In 2006 Elaine realised her dream by achieving a position within the Web Team as a Web Support Officer and then as a self-taught Web Developer in 2014.
She has a huge interest in understanding the psychology around user testing and usability studies and also enjoys using, and learning about the new Gutenberg editor in WordPress, which is used as the CMS for Edge Hill University.
Elaine has a colossal passion for the environment and runs a volunteer litter picking group called the Burscough Litter Pickers who are getting an impressive name for themselves within the local community. She cycles every day and believes two wheels are better than four!
Further Information
- Email: Elaine.Beesley@edgehill.ac.uk
- Twitter: @Tigerpiddy
- LinkedIn: elaine-beesley-1aa52765
CO-LEADER – Dr Victoria Foster

Victoria is a Senior Lecturer in Social Sciences/Associate Director, Institute for Social Responsibility .
Her research involves working with marginalised groups to explore social justice issues, including environmental concerns, and providing critiques of policy initiatives. Victoria has a particular interest in arts-based methodologies underpinned by feminist epistemology, and her book, Collaborative Arts-based Research for Social Justice (2016; Routledge), provides a rationale for employing this approach in community settings.
Further Information
- Email: Victoria.Foster@edgehill.ac.uk
- Staff Profile: https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/socialsciences/staff/dr-victoria-foster/
CO-LEADER – Lynn Howard
Lynn is a Practice Education Lecturer, Edge Hill University Medical School.
A background in Paramedic practice, which fostered interest in providing appropriate care in the best interests of the patient by working with local partners more effectively. Now supporting medical students within their practice placements with an interest in interprofessional learning and working to improve health care provision. Encouraging all health care students to explore how the health and wellbeing of local populations is affected by health partnerships within the wider community.
A life-long enjoyment of the outdoors has developed a keen interest in making changes at a local level to improve local and global environmental impacts.
Further Information
- Email: Howarly@edgehill.ac.uk
- Staff Profile: https://research.edgehill.ac.uk/en/persons/lynn-howard
CO-LEADER – Prof John Sandars
John is Professor of Medical Education and Director of Medical Education Innovation and Scholarship in the new Edge Hill University Medical School.

After training in hospital medicine, John entered the world of General Practice. He was Associate Professor in the Leeds Institute of Medical Education, University of Leeds and Professor in Medical Education at the University of Sheffield before moving to Edge Hill University in 2016 as Professor of Medical Education. He actively collaborates with colleagues in Brazil, Iran and South Africa, where he was Visiting Professor at the University of Pretoria.
His interests are
- Sustainability of health professions education in low and middle income countries to achieve universal health coverage SDG
- The role of health professions education to achieve environmental and climate SDG in healthcare and wider society
- Design and implementation of educational interventions for achieving SDG
Further Information
- Email: John.Sandars@edgehill.ac.uk
SustainNET Members
Student Members
John Ball | Biology | Biology |
Hanna Barnes | Education | Education |
Darcey Caine | Business School | Business School |
Matthew Carter | Business School | Business School |
Becky Cleave | Education | Education |
Katelyn Doherty | Biology | Biology |
Jenna Foskett | Biology | Biology |
Elle Gentle | Education | Education |
Bridget Griffin | Education | Education |
Alexandra Heggarty | Geography | Geography |
Indiana Jones | Biology | Biology |
Mubeen Khan | Business School | Business School |
Scott Lawley | Business School | Business School |
Cameron Lawton | Business School | Business School |
Michelle Li | Biology | Biology |
Liam Liversage | Business School | Business School |
Chloe Masterson | Geography | Geography |
Gemma Major | Education | Education |
Bethany Mather | Biology | Biology |
Sarah McQuillan | Biology | Biology |
Oliver Moores | Business School | Business School |
Ethan Scott | Social Sciences | Social Sciences |
Katie Swift | Education | Education |
Ellie Ward | Biology | Biology |
Olivia Wilson | Business School | Business School |
Jessica Wooden | Biology | Biology |