Our People

Dr Akram Umarov

Dr Akram Umarov is the First Vice-Rector of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy and also Director of the Institute for Advanced International Studies in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. In 2021-2022 he was a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at the Center for Governance and Markets, University of Pittsburgh. Previously he was a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies and the Academy of Public Administration under the President of Uzbekistan. He received Master’s and PhD Degrees in International Relations at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy. He also graduated with an MA degree in Governance, Development and Public Policy from the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex (UK).

His research interests include security, conflict management and development studies in Central Asia, Afghanistan and former Soviet space. Akram Umarov is the author of the monograph “Afghanistan and regional security of Central Asia: the beginning of the XXI century” (in Russian) (UWED, 2017). His articles have appeared in "Asian Affairs", "Central Asian Affairs”, “Asia and Africa”, “National Strategy Issues”, “Comparative Politics”, “Defence Journal” and other peer-reviewed journals. His policy papers have been published on international platforms like “The National Interest”, “The Diplomat”, “European Eye on Radicalization”, “Cabar.asia”, etc.

Prof. Elena Korsteleva

Elena Korosteleva is a Professor of Politics and Global Sustainable Development, and Director of the Institute of Global Sustainable Development (IGSD) at the University of Warwick. She is also Chair of the Sustainability Spotlight Initiative (SSI) at Warwick and was a member of the Scientific Council for COP29. She is also a Visiting Professor at Oxford University. Her research interests include complexity, the Anthropocene and its societal impact, resilience and communities’ response to crisis and adversity, especially in Central Eurasia. She is an advisor to the FCDO and EU institutions, and the author of 14 monographs and 70 articles. Her research was highly commended by the Times Higher Education (2021).

Fajli Bibi

Fajli Bibi is the President of the Global Sustainability and Inclusion Centre of Excellence (GSI). She is a global speaker and internationally recognised sustainability leader with over 25 years of experience driving transformative change across the public, private and third sectors. At GSI, she leads global initiatives that embed sustainability, Net Zero, and inclusive leadership into businesses, governments, and institutions.

Fajli is an industry leader in circular economy and social value in transport research. Her work includes collaboration with the University of Warwick, the University of Northampton, and the West Midlands Department for Transport to drive sustainable infrastructure solutions.

She is also the Presenter of the Empowered Women TV Show, advocating for gender equality and intersectional leadership. Fajli serves in several advisory and governance roles as a Chair, Non-Executive Director, and Board Member, including with the Greater Birmingham Global Chamber of Commerce and the Department for Business and Trade’s International Women’s Network.

She has spoken at major international forums including BIM World Copenhagen, BIM World Munich, and the Global Sustainable Leaders Summit, and recently chaired the Circular Economy Panel at the Global Sustainable Development Congress in Istanbul. A respected thought leader, Fajli is committed to lifting others as she leads, especially women, youth, and underrepresented voices in sustainability and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Feng Mao

Dr Feng Mao is Associate Professor of Global Sustainable Development and Director of Research at the School for Cross-Faculty Studies, University of Warwick. His interdisciplinary research explores the dynamic interactions between water, ecosystems, society, and technology to address complex sustainability challenges.

Dr Mao leads and collaborates on a wide range of research initiatives, including projects in collaborations with researchers and non-academic partners from sub-Saharan Africa, South and East Asia, and Europe. He is a member of the NERC Future Leaders Council and sits on the UKRI-NERC Aviation Assurance Panel, helping to shape strategic directions for UK environmental science. Internationally, he serves as Theme Lead for Water Security in a Changing World within the ACU Commonwealth Futures Climate Research Cohort Programme, supporting a community of researchers to address local climate change challenges through research, training, engagement, and knowledge exchange. Dr Mao also serves as Sustainability Lead for the AHRC-funded CreaTech Frontiers project and Academic Lead for the Research England-funded Games and Innovation Nexus (GAIN) project, playing an active role in bridging research, sustainability, and innovation across the creative industries.

Dr Frederik Dahlmann

Frederik Dahlmann is Associate Professor of Strategy and Sustainability at Warwick Business School, UK. His research focuses on understanding how companies respond to global sustainability challenges in their business strategies, management practices and corporate governance systems. A specific stream of research examines the factors that shape how companies address climate change and reduce corporate carbon emissions. Dr Dahlmann is also interested in the emerging phenomenon of the purpose ecosystem and its role within wider earth system governance and sustainability transformations.

Prof. Gary Bending

Professor Gary Bending is a Professor of Environmental Microbiology and Deputy Head (Academic) in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Warwick. His research explores the diversity and ecological roles of microbial communities in plants, soil, and water across both natural and agricultural systems. With a broad expertise spanning viruses, bacteria, fungi, protists, and nematodes, Professor Bending investigates how complex microbiomes assemble and interact with their environment.

Prof. Giuliana Battisti

Giuliana Battisti is a Professor of the economics of innovation at Warwick Business School as well as a member of the National Statistical Advisory Group and a former Trustee of the Royal Statistical Society and one of the Fellows, member of the Economic Experts Advisory Group of the Office for National Statistics, contributing to the statistics for the public good and the economic statistics agenda, addressing issues in the definition, production, and collection of economic statistics and economic aggregates. She co-leads the British Network of Industrial Economist (NIE) and has been advising various national and international governmental organisations on innovation and technological change, industrial and innovation policy.

Her research on the diffusion of alternative (green) energy and new technologies, supported by an ESRC/EPSRC fellowship and over 15 grants, has been published in top journals like Research Policy, Energy Economics, and Harvard Business Review.

Prof. Gulnoza Ismailova

Prof. Gulnoza Ismailova is a legal scholar and public policy expert from Uzbekistan. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the El-Yurt Umidi Foundation, the national institution responsible for the training and development of future leaders and specialists through international education and capacity-building programs.

Previously Vice-Rector for Science and Innovation at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, Dr. Ismailova was also a Member of the Central Electoral Commission of Uzbekistan, where she contributed to electoral integrity and legal reform. She chairs the Doctoral Board in International Law and serves as an advisor to the Constitutional Court and the Parliament of Uzbekistan.

A recipient of the European International Women’s Leadership Award 2021, she has authored over 100 publications and led the creation of the first Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence for European Studies in Central Asia.

She was also a Fulbright Scholar at the Elliott School of International Affairs (GWU), conducting research on modernizing the training and retraining system for diplomatic personnel in Uzbekistan.

Julie Walden

Delivering transformational change towards decarbonisation and making Coventry a sustainable city. As partnership lead my role is to identify and foster critical partnerships to drive decarbonisation at a city scale.

I have been with E.ON for 24 years, my background is mainly in commercial and client engagement. Throughout my entire career I have remained within E.ON’s sustainable business areas due to my belief in a greener future.

Dr Kathryn Magnay

Dr Kathryn Magnay is the Director for Energy and Decarbonisation - Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Kathryn Magnay leads strategic investment in research that supports the UK’s transition to a net zero future. With deep expertise in research funding and innovation policy, Kathryn plays a key role in shaping interdisciplinary programmes that advance sustainable energy technologies and systems. Her leadership supports collaborations between academia, industry, and government to deliver impactful, long-term solutions to global sustainability challenges.

Lord Teverson

Robin Teverson is a Member of the House of Lords and speaks on energy and climate change issues. He is also an Honorary Fellow at the IGSD based at the University of Warwick He is a member of the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Select Committee. A former member of the European Parliament he keeps a strong interest in European affairs and is a member of the UK/EU Parliamentary Assembly. Lord Teverson is Chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Nature Partnershi

Margot James

Margot James is Chair of the Coventry Climate Change Board and a passionate advocate for regional leadership in the transition to net zero. A former Minister for Digital and Creative Industries and MP for Stourbridge, she brings a wealth of experience in government, business, and innovation. In her current role, Margot is driving collaborative action across sectors to advance Coventry’s climate ambitions, with a strong focus on sustainable transport, green skills, and inclusive economic growth.

Muneeba Amjad

Muneeba Amjad is the Student Union Lead on Sustainability, representing the voice of students in shaping greener, more resilient campuses and communities. Passionate about climate justice and youth empowerment, she has spearheaded initiatives on sustainable living, ethical procurement, and climate education. Muneeba brings a dynamic, next-generation perspective to the sustainability dialogue, championing grassroots action and student-led change as vital components of long-term policy and research innovation.

Nargiz Ismayilova

Nargiz Ismayilova is the Head of Partnerships and Director of the EU Centre of Excellence at the Institute for Development and Diplomacy, ADA University, with over 20 years of experience in EU-funded project management, public administration reform, and international cooperation. Nargiz Ismayilova is an accomplished expert in EU-funded project management, public administration reform, and international partnerships. Ms. Ismayilova has held senior positions in the Civil Service Commission of Azerbaijan and has led numerous institutional capacity-building and governance reform projects in Azerbaijan and the region.

Alongside her leadership roles, she has extensive experience in designing and delivering academic and executive training programs, including Summer and Winter Schools, tailored workshops, study visits, and training cycles for civil servants and public sector professionals. She has actively contributed to curriculum development, training needs analysis, and the preparation of strategy and policy documents in the field of public administration and civil service.

Ms. Ismayilova holds a Diploma in Law and degrees in Oriental Studies from Baku State University, as well as a Strategic Execution Professional Certificate from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. Fluent in Azerbaijani, English, and Russian, she is deeply engaged in building sustainable cooperation with universities, research institutions, businesses, and international organizations.

Dr Nicholas Lawrence

Dr Nick Lawrence is an Associate Professor in the Department of English and Comparative Literary Studies at the University of Warwick. Trained in American literature from the nineteenth century to the present, his research spans poetry and poetics, global modernism, and world-literary studies, with a strong emphasis on environmental humanities and critical theory.

Dr Lawrence’s work explores the intersections of literature, ecology, and political economy, particularly through the lenses of Marxism, the Frankfurt School, and debates surrounding the Anthropocene and degrowth. His current projects include studies on neoliberal culture and ecological crisis, the ecological roots of critical theory, and cultural imaginaries of postcapitalist futures.

Dr Seema Mundoli

Seema Mundoli is a faculty at Azim Premji University, where she has taught in the post-graduate programmes and currently teaches environment and sustainability courses in the undergraduate programme. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the areas of conservation, advocacy issues of indigenous communities, and more recently on role of nature in cities, urban sustainability, and climate change. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals and appeared in popular press. Her publications include the co-authored books (with Harini Nagendra) “Cities and Canopies: Trees in Indian Cities” (Penguin India 2019), which won the Publishing Next’s Printed Book of the Year Award and was on the Green Literature Festival Honour List, “So Many Leaves” (Pratham Publications 2021) and “Shades of Blues: Connecting the Drops in India’s Cities” (Penguin India 2023)

Prof. Stuart Coles

Stuart Coles is a Reader in Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing, and Associate Dean (Research) at WMG. His group's research leverages data-driven decision making to address industrial decarbonisation challenges, primarily through life cycle assessment, techno-economic analysis, integrated with multi-criteria decision aiding.

Amelia Wakeford

Amelia’s background is in research development, research culture and interdisciplinary cross sector collaboration. She recognises that, done well, collaboration should be challenging, if we want to draw meaningfully on diverse perspectives to create the synergy that innovates and catalyses change. She understands that today’s issues are complex, dynamic, and non-linear as are people. She takes an appreciative approach to dialogue, supporting you to find interconnections and shared purpose, and to use paradox as a resource; taking a playful approach to build a supportive environment for experimentation.

Christine Bell

Christine is an energetic project leader, creating facilitation processes that maximise engagement. She is used to working with senior professionals including academics, engineers and lawyers. She is a creative, focused and innovative facilitator who creates an engaging and supportive environment so that groups can generate new ideas and approaches to tackle problems. Christine works collaboratively with our clients to bring their vision to life.