New Director for the European Center for Environment and Human Health in Exeter

A unique University of Exeter research center dedicated to researching the intersection of the environment and human health has appointed a new director.

Professor Gesche Huebner has been appointed to lead the University of Exeter’s European Center for Environment and Human Health (ECEHH), based at the University of Cornwall’s Penryn campus.

Professor Huebner comes from her role as Associate Professor in Healthy and Sustainable Built Environments at the Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources at University College London, (UCL), where her research and teaching focused on the intersections between energy, buildings and health and well-being.

She recently received two significant research grants that bring an equity and climate change lens into focus, areas that have substantial research gaps. With her expertise in built environments, Professor Huebner aims to generate more evidence on how buildings and energy use impact health and well-being, particularly for marginalized groups in a changing climate.

At UCL, she also served as Departmental Director for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, with important actions including instigating mental health training for all those in key student-facing roles. She has also done a lot of work around promoting open, transparent and reproducible science, particularly in the areas of applied, multidisciplinary research.

Speaking about her appointment, Professor Huebner said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining the European Center for Environment and Human Health in Exeter! The Center is such a unique place, researching topics as diverse as blue and green spaces, food systems and antimicrobial resistance – all held together by a focus on health and a desire to create a better world. Only by crossing disciplinary boundaries and working together can we tackle the huge challenges we face, whether it’s climate change, biodiversity loss or societal inequalities.

“My family and I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to live in Cornwall, a place so rich in history and natural beauty, even if it faces a number of challenges. We look forward to contributing to the local community both personally and professionally.”

The European Center for Environment and Human Health (ECEHH) has a world-leading role in research into the links between planetary and human health, having pioneered this field of activity more than a decade ago. The Center is now a World Health Organization Collaborating Center on Environment and Health, recognizing the Center’s significant contribution to science and policy-making as a result of more than a decade of interdisciplinary research.

Professor Sallie Lamb, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter’s Faculty of Health and Life Science, said: “We are delighted that Dr Huebner has chosen to bring his expertise to the University of Exeter. Her work in energy, the built environment and health and well-being will extend and enhance the scope of the European Center for Environment and Human Health and build on its successful portfolio of existing work, which is truly world-leading in the field. I am confident that he will lead and inspire the team with a clear vision and ensure that the existing collaborative interdisciplinary culture is further promoted and expanded.

“Her appointment will allow for the development of even more expertise and breadth of research capacity in climate change and health. This body of knowledge is essential not only for the University of Exeter, but also for us to ensure that real-world decisions have a positive impact on those communities and environments most affected by challenges, including climate change.”