Visiting experts join the Priestley Centre community
Five experts from beyond the University of Leeds have joined the Priestley Centre to share their knowledge and experience in driving climate action.
The new visitor programme recognises individuals who contribute to the mission of the Priestley Centre through insight, advice and collaboration.
Made up of one Visiting Professor and four Visiting Fellows, these five will become part of the Priestley Centre community, joining hundreds of experts from the University of Leeds.
Dr Shona Smith, Head of the Priestley Centre, said: “Our first Priestley visitors bring a wealth of experience from the public, private and academic sectors and we’re excited to work with them to ensure we focus our efforts on delivering impact.”
Ed Craig
Ed Craig is CEO of University of Edinburgh clean tech spin-out company Carbogenics. He brings extensive experience of building and leading innovation projects.
Ed worked with the Priestley Centre previously, exploring how to drive innovation from University of Leeds climate research. This work directly informed the Priestley Centre’s new strategy.
Ed said: “I am delighted to continue my work with the Priestley Centre – and honoured to become its first visiting professor.
“The Centre has a hugely exciting future, building on its impeccable track record for world leading research. With its world-renowned leadership, talented team and inclusive partnership approach the Priestley Centre will play a key role in informing and shaping a more sustainable future nationally and globally.”
Juliet De Little 
Juliet De Little is a Senior Scientist at the Environment Agency where she focuses on flood and coastal erosion risk management.
Juliet previously worked on climate change resilience as part of the University of Leeds Climate Plan. Her PhD research focused on climate justice.
Juliet said: “I’m really excited to be a Visiting Fellow at the Priestley Centre.
“I’ll be delivering a seminar with Dr Susanne Lorenz on the Climate Futures Masters programme and am looking forward to collaborating around the social and governance aspects of climate adaptation.”
Dhanush Dinesh
Dhanush Dinesh is the founder of Clim-Eat, a think-and-do tank that aims to accelerate food systems transformation under climate change.
Previously, Dhanush has worked on a range of issues including forestry, environmental policy, climate change adaptation, and advocacy, and focused on a wide range of geographies.
Dhanush said: “I am excited to be associated with the Priestley Centre, tapping into scientific advancements across the University of Leeds and helping inform new policy and practice in the food and agriculture sector.”
William Lamb
William Lamb is a researcher at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. His work focuses on greenhouse gas emissions trends, carbon dioxide removal and international climate policy.
William was an author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 6th Assessment Report and is a lead author of the United Nations Environment Program Emissions Gap Report.
William said: “As a visiting fellow at the Priestley Centre I am looking forward to strengthening the connections between climate science and climate solutions research.”
Chris Smith
Chris Smith specialises in projecting future climate cha
nge and is based at Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium. He has developed climate models that have informed several academic papers, as well as policy decisions.
Chris previously worked at the University of Leeds, as well as at the UK Met Office. As part of this fellowship Chris will continue his involvement with the Indicators of Global Climate Change and support the development of the upcoming Scenarios Forum 2025.