The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology is delighted to announce the appointment of Alison Sternberg Robinson as its new Director of Partnerships and Impact. Alison will take up the role this December, bringing a wealth of experience and a passion for building partnerships that make a difference to people and planet.
Alison joins UKCEH from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK Research and Innovation, where she serves as Deputy Executive Chair. At NERC, Alison has been a transformative force, shaping the organisation’s approach to engaging the public, building strategic partnerships, and delivering impactful research. She also provided leadership for environmental sustainability initiatives.
Alison’s career began in the legal sector, and she worked both in the courts and in the voluntary sector before moving into public service in Australia. In 2013, she relocated to Bangladesh, where she worked with national NGOs to forge strategic partnerships for advocacy and impact, focusing on promoting disability rights and preventing domestic violence.
She holds a combined degree in arts and law from the University of New South Wales and a master’s in social policy and planning.
Welcoming the appointment, Dr Stuart Wainwright OBE, chief executive of UKCEH said: “We are hugely excited to welcome Alison as our new Director of Partnerships and Impact. Her exceptional strengths in leadership, strategy, and science and commercial partnerships will be a great asset in ensuring our science makes an even greater difference, as UKCEH continues to address the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.”
Alison shared her excitement about joining UKCEH: “The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology's research into the environment — our land, air, and water — is crucial for improving all our lives. I’m so looking forward to working with UKCEH’s brilliant people and partners to enable their science to deliver real benefits, both in the UK and internationally.”