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Name | Job Title | Contribution to Sustainability |
|---|---|---|
| Professor Ian Montgomery | Dean of Sustainability and CSR | Provides strategic leadership to embed sustainability across Ulster University and drive delivery of the institution’s Sustainable Futures strategy. The role leads organisational engagement, performance, and partnerships to ensure sustainability and social responsibility are integral to the University’s culture and operations. |
| Marie-Louise Gaile | Head of Sustainability | Drives the strategic planning, delivery, and reporting of sustainability activity across Ulster University. Provides senior leadership and collaboration to advance performance, influence behaviour change, and align activity with institutional priorities and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. |
| Rebecca McIlwaine | Sustainability Data and Information Officer | Provides dedicated project management support for Sustainability and CSR programmes to ensure performance against objectives, targets and legislative compliance. Co-ordinates data gathering, analysis and reporting activities to ensure that programme outcomes are successfully met. |
| Kayla Pasby | Executive Assistant to the Dean of Sustainability and CSR | Assists the Dean of Sustainability and CSR in providing strategic leadership to embed sustainability across Ulster University and drive delivery of the institution’s Sustainable Futures strategy and leading organisational engagement, performance, and partnerships. |
| Name | Job Title | Contribution to Sustainability |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen Doherty | Deputy Director of Estates Services | Leads the management, maintenance, and development of the physical estate, ensuring efficient and sustainable operations. Drives strategic planning, oversees facilities and infrastructure projects, and implement sustainability initiatives across buildings and campuses. |
| Heather Young | Energy Manager | Assesses energy consumption, improves efficiencies, and identifies projects for lowering carbon emissions across the University. Monitors performance, ensures compliance with regulations, and drive initiatives that support sustainability and cost savings. |
| Anne Doherty | Senior Project Manager (Travel & Transport) | Oversees the Travel Plan, implementing sustainable travel initiatives and optimising travel arrangements to reduce environmental impact and support organisational goals. |
| Name | Job Title | Contribution to Sustainability |
|---|---|---|
| Clare Egan | Head of Procurement | Drives sustainability by leading Procurement within the University, working with suppliers and internal teams to reduce carbon footprints, enhance social value, and ensure responsible, compliant, and cost-effective procurement. |
| Denise Loughrey | Sustainable Procurement Partner | Develops and delivers the sustainable procurement programme that supports Ulster University’s net-zero and social value goals. Strengthens sustainable purchasing and embeds greenhouse gas reduction across procurement activity. |
| Name | Job Title | Contribution to Sustainability |
|---|---|---|
| Wendy McMonagle | Marketing and Communications Co-ordinator | Supports the Sustainability and CSR team by managing marketing and communications activities that raise awareness of initiatives, engage stakeholders, and promote the University’s sustainability and social responsibility achievements. |
| Jade Mooney | Project Officer | Supports the Sustainability and CSR team by managing marketing and communications activities that raise awareness of initiatives, engage stakeholders, and promote the University’s sustainability and social responsibility achievements. |
| Name | Contribution to Sustainability |
|---|---|
| Louise O'Boyle | Co-Chairs the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Science Sustainability Working Group which aims to embed sustainability within teaching, research, and operations by driving local action, supporting strategic goals, and fostering a culture of sustainability across the Faculty. |
| Ciara Shufflebottom | Co-Chairs the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Science Sustainability Working Group which aims to embed sustainability within teaching, research, and operations by driving local action, supporting strategic goals, and fostering a culture of sustainability across the Faculty. |
| Professor Neil Hewitt | Chairs the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment Sustainability Committee which aims to embed sustainability within teaching, research, and operations by driving local action, supporting strategic goals, and fostering a culture of sustainability across the Faculty. |
| Dr Patrick Naughton | Chairs the Faculty of Life and Health Sciences Sustainability Committee which aims to embed sustainability within teaching, research, and operations by driving local action, supporting strategic goals, and fostering a culture of sustainability across the Faculty. |
| Dr Sinead Furey | Chairs the Ulster University Business School Sustainability Committee which aims to embed sustainability within teaching, research, and operations by driving local action, supporting strategic goals, and fostering a culture of sustainability across the Business School. |
| Name | Job Title | Contribution to Sustainability |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Barry McCarron | Sustainability Visiting Professor: Passivhaus Sustainable Construction | Provides independent expertise and strategic guidance on key sustainability challenges and opportunities. |
| Eimear Montague | Sustainability Visiting Professor: Circular Economy | Provides independent expertise and strategic guidance on key sustainability challenges and opportunities. |
| Kieran Harding | Sustainability Visiting Professor: Business and Social Responsibility | Provides independent expertise and strategic guidance on key sustainability challenges and opportunities. |
| Heather MacLachlan | Sustainability Visiting Professor: Conservation, Business, and Ecology | Provides independent expertise and strategic guidance on key sustainability challenges and opportunities. |
Researchers
Find out more about Ulster University researchers whose research is contributing toward the 17 Sustainable Development Goals on the PURE Research Portal.
Sustainability and CSR Staff
Professor Ian Montgomery
Dean of Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility
Marie-Louise Gaile
Head of Sustainability
Rebecca McIlwaine
Sustainability Data and Information Officer
Sustainability Steering Group
In 2021, Ulster University's Senior Leadership approved a request to establish a Sustainability Steering Group (SSG) in place of the Environmental Sustainability Steering Group (ESSG) which was established in 2013. The SSG is responsible for governance and oversight of the university’s sustainability, climate change, and social responsibility agendas and for developing and implementing a Strategic Sustainability Action Plan. The revised group has a broader remit for cross-university sustainability and enhances Ulster's ability to meet strategic sustainability and social responsibility objectives, submit to consultations and engage both with internal and external stakeholders.
Revising the sustainability governance structures within the university is the next step on Ulster's sustainability journey, to commit to making a meaningful contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals with a particular focus on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts including reducing emissions to align with global commitments. Further, a key objective is to use sustainability as an opportunity to recruit and retain staff and students and to increase our influence locally/nationally and internationally.
The new sustainability governance group seeks to embed a culture of sustainability thinking and action across the institution with the aim of developing our leadership and governance; our teaching, learning, and research; our climate change activities: our inward and outward collaboration; and our people.
Sustainability Steering Group (SSG) Membership and Terms of Reference
The SSG will be responsible for governing and oversight of the university’s sustainability, climate change, and social responsibility agendas and developing and implementing a Strategic Sustainability Action Plan. It will circulate the Annual Sustainability Report to SLT and Senate, and others as required. Further, it will submit action plans as necessary to SLT for approval prior to submission to the University Resources Committee.
- This advocacy group has a key responsibility to deliver the university’s sustainability and social responsibility agenda.
- The Minutes of the meetings will be circulated to members for dissemination in their portfolios.
- The Group will produce an Annual Report for approval by the Senior Leadership Team and the University Resources Committee and publication via the University website.
Co-chairs
- Dean of Sustainability and CSR and Sustainability Manager
Senior Staff to represent the following areas (listed alphabetically):
Academic Quality and Student Experience
- Prof Odette Hutchinson
Estates Services
- Mr Stephen Doherty
- Ms Marie-Louise Gaile
Faculty Representatives (X4)
- AHSS- Mr Colm Creen
- CEBE - Prof Neil Hewitt
- LHS - Dr Colin Breen
- UUBS - Prof Una Mc Mahon Beattie
People and Culture
- Mr Damian McAlister
Regional Engagement
- Prof Malachy O’Neill
Research
- Prof Liam Maguire (SLT Senior Sponsor for Sustainability)
Strategy and Finance
- Ms Elaine Hartin
Students’ Union (CEO and SU Officer)
- Mr David Longstaff
- Ms Oluwaseyi Kushimo (Students' Union Representative)
In attendance: Executive Assistant: Sustainability & CSR
On occasion, and where business-relevant, other stakeholders may be invited to attend.
- The Group will meet a minimum of 3 times per year.
- Papers will be circulated a minimum of 5 working days before meetings.
- Meetings will last approximately 1.5hrs.
- Quorum – One half of the membership including both co-chairs.
The group will:
- Co-ordinate and collaborate on sustainability, climate change, and social responsibility agendas across the university.
- Provide updates and make recommendations on sustainability, climate change action, and social responsibility to the Vice Chancellor and Senior Leadership Team including oversight of the university’s Environmental Management System (ISO14001).
- Develop, implement and review sustainability, climate change, and social responsibility related policies and action plans including risks and opportunities that supports the university’s corporate strategy.
- Publicise the university's performance and work with stakeholders and communities where appropriate to promote good practice in sustainability, climate change action, and social responsibility.
- Promote the engagement of the university’s curriculum and research with issues relating to sustainability, climate change, and social responsibility.
- Assist in setting objectives and targets to mitigate the university’s significant environmental impacts, including developing and monitoring climate plans, reduction targets and formulating strategies to minimise impacts.
- Assist the university in taking a leading role in higher education sustainability, climate change action, and social responsibility initiatives, using this role to lead and challenge the sector, as well as raising the university’s profile, locally, nationally, and internationally.
- Establish and oversee membership of any necessary sub-groups.
Sustainability Working Groups
Each faculty has a Sustainability Committee or Working Group which aim to embed sustainability within teaching, research, and operations by driving local action, supporting strategic goals, and fostering a culture of sustainability across each faculty.
Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Ms Louise O’Boyd & Ms Ciara Shufflebottom – Faculty Sustainability Working Group Co-Chairs
Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment
Professor Neil Hewitt– Faculty Sustainability Committee Chair
Life and Health Sciences
Dr Patrick Noughton – Faculty Sustainability Committee Chair
Ulster University Business School
Dr Susann Power – Faculty Sustainability Committee Chair
The Corporate Social Responsibility Working Group works to integrate social, ethical, and environmental responsibility into institutional practices, promoting positive impact for staff, students, and the wider community.
Membership
- Associate Head of the Belfast School of Architecture and the Built Environment: Professor Neale Blair
- Corporate Engagement Partner: Ms Tania Carlisle
- Dean of Sustainability and CSR: Professor Ian Montgomery
- Director of Community Engagement: Professor Duncan Morrow
- Director of Employee Experience: Mr Mark Latuske
- Governance and Policy Manager: Ms Maria McGilloway
- Head of Procurement: Ms Clare Egan
- Head of Residential Services: Ms Glenda Campbell
- Head of Research Performance: Ms Natalie Dallat
- Head of School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences: Professor Paul McCarron
- Head of Sustainability: Ms Marie-Louise Gaile
- Head of Widening Access and Participation: Ms Claire Mulrone
- Interim Director of Campus Life: Mr Gareth Kennedy
- Lecturer in Criminology: Dr Gabrielle Nugent-Stephens
- Lecturer in Management Development: Mr Steven Pollard
- Project Officer: Ms Erin McKenna
- Senior Lecturer in Higher Education Practice and ESD Co-Lead: Dr Amanda Platt
- Sustainable Procurement Partner: Ms Denise Loughrey
- Ulster University Students’ Union Vice President (Belfast): Ms Favour Okpohs
The Sustainable Travel for Business Review Group aims to reduce the environmental impact of business travel by developing principles and policies that promote low-carbon, responsible travel practices.
Membership
- Associate Dean (Development and Partnerships): Professor Paul Hanna
- Associate Dean (Development and Partnerships): Professor Sven Schottmann
- Dean of Sustainability and CSR: Professor Ian Montgomery
- Deputy Director of Finance: Ms Jill Marshall
- EDI Section Lead – Disability and Age: Ms Caroline McMenamin
- Head of Global Recruitment and Engagement: Mr Niall McAleer
- Head of School of Geography and Environmental Sciences: Professor Sara Benetti
- Head of Sustainability: Ms Marie-Louise Gaile
- Head of the Doctoral College: Professor Alison Gallagher
- Interim Director of Campus Life: Mr Gareth Kennedy
- Lecturer in Higher Education Practice and ESD Co-Lead: Dr Kieran Higgins
- Senior Project Manager (Travel and Transport): Ms Anne Doherty
The External Sustainability Advisory Board provides independent expertise and strategic guidance on key sustainability challenges and opportunities, drawing on leadership from sectors including circular economy, conservation, sustainable construction, and corporate social responsibility.
- Chief Executive, Kore Retrofit (Passivhaus Sustainable Construction): Dr Barry McCarron
- Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Resources Network (Circular Economy): Ms Eimear Montague
- Managing Director of Business in the Community (Business and Social Responsibility): Mr Kieran Harding
- National Trust NI Director (Conservation, Business, and Ecology): Ms Heather MacLachlan
