Professor Jem Bendell
IFLAS Founder: Professor Jem Bendell
Dr Jem Bendell is Professor of Sustainability Leadership and Founder of the Initiative for Leadership and Sustainability (IFLAS) at the University of Cumbria (UK).
Jem focuses on leadership and communications for social change, as well as approaches that may help humanity face climate-induced disruption. A graduate of the University of Cambridge, Jem had twenty years of experience in sustainable business and finance, as a researcher, educator, facilitator, advisor, & entrepreneur, having lived & worked in six countries. Clients for his strategy development included international corporations, UN agencies and international NGOs.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) recognised Professor Bendell as a Young Global Leader for his work on sustainable business alliances. With over 100 publications, including four books and five UN reports, he regularly appeared in international media on topics of sustainable business and finance, as well as currency innovation. His TEDx talk is the most watched online speech on complementary currencies.
In 2012 Professor Bendell co-authored the WEF report on the Sharing Economy. Previously he helped create innovative alliances, including the Marine Stewardship Council, to endorse sustainable fisheries and The Finance Innovation Lab, to promote sustainable finance. In 2007 he wrote a report for WWF on the responsibility of luxury brands, which appeared in over 50 newspapers and magazines worldwide, and inspired a number of entrepreneurs to create businesses in the luxury sector. That bio is all past tense, as now Jem has moved into a new phase of work in light of the latest climate science.
Advisory Board members
The Advisory Board provides ideas and connections for our staff, to help them pursue our Vision, Mission and Aims. Meeting once a year, it includes people from a variety of sectors and locations.
We are grateful to the following who have served on the IFLAS Advisory Board since its inception.
Professor Liz Beaty
Emeritus Professor with the University of Cumbria, Liz was, until recently, Pro Vice-Chancellor. She is co-chair of the IFLAS Advisory Board.
Dr Anthony Miller
Anthony, who joins Liz Beaty as co-chair, is Economic Affairs Officer at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and co-founder of the Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative. Dr Miller lectured at IFLAS in 2013.
Dr Pete Boyd
Pete is a reader in Professional Learning at the University of Cumbria and guides the faculty’s research activity.
Richard Cooperstein
The founder, CEO & Senior Managing Partner of Media Investment Group, Richard is the former head of International Business Development and Strategy at Facebook.
Mark Drewell
Mark is Chief Executive of the Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative, an AACSB and EFMD strategic partnership established with the support of the United Nations Global Compact.
Dr Michael Edwards
Michael is editor of Transformation, part of www.OpenDemocracy.net and formerly head of civil society programmes at the Ford Foundation.
Ed Gillespie
Ed is the co-founder of Futerra sustainability communications. He spoke at the launch of IFLAS at the Royal Geographical Society.
Tony Greenham
Tony is Head of Finance and Business at the New Economics Foundation and the Treasurer of Transition Towns. He collaborates with IFLAS on short courses in complementary currencies.
Adam Grodecki
Adam is a consultant with the Boston Consulting Group, co-founder of Student Hubs, and curator of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Shapers Hub in London. He attended the launch of IFLAS at the RGS.
Kate McLaughlin-Flynn
Kate is the University of Cumbria’s Director of Finance with additional responsibility for planning.
Richard Little
Richard is a Senior Consultant with Impact International. He is a visiting lecturer on programmes run at the University’s campus in the Lake District.
Lucie McNeil
Lucie is a partnership builder and former Vice-President for National Geographic's Explorer Programs team, working with adventurers, scientists and storytellers to engage people in global solutions projects.
Jonathan Robinson
Jonathan is co-founder and Board Member of Impact Hubs. Jonathan lectured at IFLAS in 2013.
Dr Kaz Stuart
Kaz is Head of Research and Evaluation at the Brathay Trust.
Ariane Thomas
Ariane is head of strategic developments on Environment, Health and Safety for the L'Oréal Group.
Rebecca Willis
A Senior Advisor at the Lake District National Park, associate of the think-tank Green Alliance and former vice-chair of the Sustainable Development Commission, Rebecca acted as external validation expert for new IFLAS programmes.
Visit her website
Doctoral Researchers
Arianna Briganti MA MSc is a development economist, practitioner and researcher specialising in the holistic growth and management of emerging economies. Her foci are on generative sustainable development, institutional development and living educational theory research. A development manager for initiatives implemented by both Governmental and non-Governmental organizations mainly in Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe, Arianna has worked extensively with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Development Cooperation Unit) and is engaged with the German Government Agency for the International Development Cooperation. She co-founded and manages pro bono the non-profit organization Nove Onlus. She is currently collaborating with the Swedish foundation ‘Cultural Heritage without Borders’ in Albania and is a peer-reviewer of the Educational Journal of Living Theories. Her Ph.D. title is, ‘As a development economist how do I contribute to the establishment of the human capabilities of the people I work with in the developing countries?’ Her doctorate is being supervised by Professor Jack Whitehead, Dr. David F Murphy and Professor Moira Laidlaw.
Jo Chaffer, MADT, is a highly experienced global consultant, trainer and coach specialising in strategy, change and leadership with particular expertise in cultural bridging (www.korakoru.com). Jo's research interest is in developing leaders whose understanding of themselves and their role is constructed through socio-centric and eco-centric self-construal. Jo's PHD working title is "Into the Wild: transformative journeys for (sustainable) leadership development." Professor Jem Bendell, Dr Kaz Stuart and Jamie McPhie are the advisors for this study. Jo brings together an academic background in outdoor experiential learning, Critical Leadership Studies and ecology alongside professional practice in supporting leaders of organisations in private, public and third sector organisations. She's also a mountain guide with many years climbing, biking and trekking in the higher ranges to call on.
Sonia Hutchison BSc is an expert in unpaid caring and non-profits having worked in the sector supporting carers and care-givers for over a decade. Chief Executive of a local UK carers' charity which has tripled in size under her leadership over the last 6 years and Development Executive of a small national UK charity supporting young carers with ambition and tenacity to succeed. Sonia has been recognised for her tireless work to improve the lives of carers and their families. Sonia is now researching how she has come to be a success in her career after starting of life in foster care where statistical predictions for life chances have remained stubbornly low to achieving both personally and for carers and their families. Her enquiry question is 'How does my lived experience, from being ‘a child in care’ to being a leader of a carers’ charity, sustain the hope that I can be the change I want to see in the world? Sonia has taken her research around the world presenting in the USA, Canada, South Africa and the UK. Sonia's supervision team for her doctorate are Professor Jack Whitehead, Dr. David F Murphy and Dr. Marie Huxtable.
