New Warwick spinout helps turn research into real-world environmental impact

A new social enterprise spinout from the University of Warwick, EcoTransform, has launched [9 June 2026], offering a pioneering consultancy that helps organisations design environmental policies that work for both nature and communities.

EcoTransform closes the gap between sector-leading research and real-world policy design, working with organisations to understand how environmental interventions affect people.

Professor Nikoleta Jones of the University of Warwick, and CEO of EcoTransform, said: “The right environmental policies can transform socio-economic prosperity, but for that to happen we need to understand which factors make policies work, and why. EcoTransform offers research-grounded tools, drawing on well-established and tested methodologies, to measure, interpret and predict how environmental change affects the way people interact with a particular place.

“This bespoke, in-depth insight supports the development of multi-dimensional policies that are responsive to communities and deliver meaningful impact.”

The consultancy supports organisations to involve local communities in environmental decision-making through citizen science, participatory mapping and social impact assessment. Combining academic expertise with practical application, the company aims to help generate measurable social value alongside positive outcomes.

Dr Benedict Dempsey, People and Nature Adviser at World Wildlife Fund UK, welcomed the launch, saying: “We have worked with the team at EcoTransform for more than two years and they have added an enormous amount of value to our work, bringing insights that have helped us adapt our programmes and shape our future projects. They have brilliantly combined academic rigour with practical delivery.”

EcoTransform’s Social Impact Assessment framework (SOCIAT) helps organisations assess the social impacts of nature protection and restoration projects, providing evidence on how local communities are affected and how to build public support for environmental action. The tool was developed in collaboration with several protected areas and EUROPARC Federation, and has been applied in more than 30 protected areas across Europe, including Pembrokeshire, UK; the Black Forest, Germany; and Triglav, Slovenia.

EUROPARC Federation Director Alberto Arroyo Schnell stated: “This cooperation has successfully connected social sciences, natural sciences, and on-the-ground practice, enabling our members to better assess the social outcomes of their Protected Areas for local communities and strengthen informed decision-making. We welcome EcoTransform’s support in continuing this important work."

The consultancy launch also marks a significant milestone, as EcoTransform is the first Warwick spinout to emerge from an Arts and Social Sciences discipline.

Rachel Moseley, Faculty of Arts Chair, commented: “This pioneering spinout reflects the strength of Warwick’s interdisciplinary research culture. EcoTransform highlights the important contribution of our School of Cross-faculty Studies to addressing complex environmental and societal challenges, translating research into practical solutions that generate positive social value, economic impact and wellbeing.”

Professor Jones added: “As a social enterprise, our mission is to maximise the benefits of nature for people, and a proportion of EcoTransform’s profits will be reinvested into student wellbeing initiatives, including eco-therapy programmes that support mental health through engagement with nature.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

This project has received funding from:

• European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No 802605 and 101247887)
• Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Impact Acceleration Account: ES/T502054/1 and ES/X004635/1.
• Research England Development (RED) fund’s Connecting Capability Fund (CCF), via the ‘Shared Technology Transfer Office to Accelerate the Growth of Self-Funded Spinouts (STAGE)’ pilot.

Images

Protected areas where the EcoTransform’s SOCIAT framework has been applied: Pembrokeshire, UK and the Black Forest, Germany. Credit Professor Nikoleta Jones/University of Warwick.

Links

https://ecotransform.co.uk/

For more information please contact:

Ann Baylis, Media and Communication Officer

ann.baylis@warwick.ac.uk / 07876 876937

About the University of Warwick

Founded in 1965, the University of Warwick is a world-leading institution known for its commitment to era-defining innovation across research and education. A connected ecosystem of staff, students and alumni, the University fosters transformative learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and bold industry partnerships across state-of-the-art facilities in the UK and global satellite hubs. Here, spirited thinkers push boundaries, experiment and challenge convention to create a better world.

9/6/26