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UCL's COP16 team
Meet our UCL Biodiversity Experts attending COP16 and the team supporting them.
Media enquiries
For enquiries and to connect with academics, kindly reach out to the UCL Media Relations Team.
UCL Biodiversity Experts
Dr Izzy Bishop
Role
Lecturer (Teaching) in Ecology
Genetics, Evolution and Environment
Expertise
Freshwater ecologist
"I’m interested in how pollution and climate change impact freshwater biodiversity, and how local communities can help to solve these global problems. I regularly work with citizen scientists to document localised changes to water quality and biodiversity, and I hope to share their stories at COP16."
More info
More about Izzy / Email Izzy
X: @FreshwaterIzzy
Dr Simon Chin-Yee
Role
Lecturer in Development
Political Sciences
Expertise
Political Scientist
"I am a political scientist that works on climate change, policy processes and drivers of change. In my research: (1) I have a focus on climate change, conflict and vulnerable populations – with an emphasis on climate justice on the African continent. (2) I examine the global climate negotiations such as COP16, understanding how norms, values and rules constructed within global regimes have an influence on national policies. (3) I look at the decarbonisation of the maritime sector, working with negotiators (AOSIS, Africa Group etc.) to support countries as they consider how to achieve GHG emissions reductions."
More info
More about Simon / Email Simon
X: @SimonChinYee
Bluesky: @simonchinyee.bsky.social
Sarah Meghan Doyle
Role
Head of Policy
Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose
Expertise
Public policy, economic policy, industrial strategy
"I work with teams of academics and policymakers to translate research into practice, with a focus on bringing economic, social and environmental policies into alignment to advance inclusive and sustainable growth."
More info
More about Sarah / Email Sarah
X: @SarahDoyleTO
Prof Mariana Mazzucato
Role
Professor in the Economics of Innovation and Public Value
Founding Director of the UCL Institute for Innovation & Public Purpose
Expertise
Economics, rethinking the state, innovation, industrial strategy, public value, transforming public institutions and tools, directing finance
"One of the key questions that guides my research is: how can governments stimulate and direct innovation-led, inclusive, and sustainable growth? My approach is underpinned by the concept of collective value creation, which sees all economic stakeholders as value creators, who should therefore share in that value equitably. I advocate for a mission-oriented approach to economic policy. Such an approach requires a new form of patient finance that mobilises public and private sector funding in a long- term and outcomes-oriented way. I am also interested in purpose-driven corporate governance and finding new ways for the public and private sectors to work together around important challenges."
More info
More about Mariana / Email Mariana
X: @MazzucatoM
UCL experts attending via other delegations
Luca Kuehn von Burgsdorff
Role
Director's Senior Policy Advisor
UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP)
Expertise
Green industrial strategy and water
"Supporting Professor Mariana Mazzucato, who is a Co-Chair of the Global Commission on the Economics of Water."
More info
More about Luca / Email Luca
X: @LucaBurgsdorff
Supporting Team
Michael Lucibella
Media Relations Manager
UCL’s Office of Media Relations
"I coordinate media and press outreach for the Built Environment and Social & Historical Sciences faculties, and have previously supported UCL's Climate COP efforts. For CBD COP16, I’m working with UCL’s diverse team of experts, both in Cali and here in the UK, to maximise media coverage."
Dr Becca Burns
Strategic Co-ordinator: Environment
"I focus on connecting the breadth of UCL’s interdisciplinary, cross departmental environment expertise. This includes supporting UCL’s world leading research in Biodiversity and Climate. I am excited to strategically support our teams attending CBD COP16 and the UNFCCC COP29 and ensure UCL can make a positive difference to the planet. Find out more about the UCL Environment Domain."
Ian McLachlan
Marketing and Communications Manager
Faculty of Life Sciences
"I support the Faculty of Life Sciences with the promotion of its courses and research. The faculty includes the Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research and the People and Nature Lab. During CBD COP16, I’ll be helping out with communications and launching UCL's biodiversity campaign."
Giorgia Siriaco
Faculty of Life Sciences, UCL
"I champion the Faculty of Life Sciences by showcasing its cutting-edge research.This includes studies on biodiversity taking place within the Faculty’s Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research and People and Nature Lab. During CBD COP16, I’ll be promoting UCL participation at the event and supporting UCL's biodiversity campaign."
Email Giorgia