Marvin Rees, former mayor of Bristol, appointed honorary professor at the University of Bristol

Marvin Rees, the latest mayor of Bristol, is the newest addition to the research team at the Cabot Institute for the Environment

Former Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, has been appointed Honorary Professor of Industry at the University of Bristol’s Cabot Institute for the Environment.

This comes after the role of Bristol mayor was voted to be abolished in 2022, which came into effect this year.

The qualification of “industrial professor” refers to persons who are not academics, but who are distinguished in their field.

He will contribute to climate change research alongside academics such as Dr Alix Dietzel, who praised his addition to the team as invaluable. This is due to the experience and knowledge gained during his time on the Council, which gave him important connections to the networks of change.

The Cabot Institute’s network of influence will be expanded as Rees looks forward to “supporting city, national and international leaders to address these challenges.”

Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol, also expressed her enthusiasm for the acquisition of Rees to the Institute.

“Marvin Rees has been a leader in creating a global network of mayors committed to a just transition to zero. He will be a great addition to our work on cities and climate change.”

Rees served as mayor for eight years, from 2016 to 2024, and his adoption of the role comes from a very personal place and set of goals. Explaining that he comes from a migrant family, coming from a very poor background in Bristol, he expressed that working for social change has always been part of his mission.

“The University of Bristol has been a really important city partner during my time in office and the Cabot Institute has an excellent reputation for world-leading climate research. I look forward to further raising the profile of these expertises and strengthening these alliances on a global scale for the benefit of all, especially those disadvantaged by the effects of climate change.”

The goal of the Cabot Institute for the Environment is a just and equitable transition to net zero. More specifically, they described Rees’ focus as making cities “fairer, better and more sustainable.”

To achieve this, the university has highlighted three areas of focus: urbanization and climate change, climate-driven migration and ensuring a just transition to a net-zero economy.

A University of Bristol spokesman said the former politician’s new role “builds further on existing work with partners in Bristol and around the world to help cities address and adapt to the negative consequences of climate change”.

Featured image credit University of Bristol

Similar articles recommended by this author:

• A man in his 20s has died after collapsing during the Great Bristol Run

• Bristol SU’s new research report reveals the ‘hellish experience’ of renting in Bristol

• The University of Bristol rises one place to 54th in the new world university rankings