Bennett Chair in Climate Finance

The University of Sussex is one of the UK’s foremost higher education institutions. We have challenged convention since the University’s foundation in 1961. From the campus’ modernist architecture on the edge of a rural national park, to our progressive academics and creative professional services staff, to the inspiring students who choose to learn and live here, to the very tone of the institution and the nature of its conversations, through to the expressions of radicalism, critical thinking and, at times, dissent. For over 60 years the aim of our courses, research, culture and campus has been to stimulate, excite and challenge. And today, in every part of society and across the world, you will find someone from Sussex making an original and valuable contribution.

The School draws on the significant historical and intellectual strength of its founding departments, rooted in the early days of the University of Sussex. The Business School focuses on driving innovation for social progress, with strengths in sustainability and climate change, embracing the University’s strategic goal of A Better University for a Better World.

Established in 2009, the School brought together the world renowned Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) with the Department of Economics and in subsequent years has steadily expanded its range of business, management, finance, accounting and marketing degrees. Today we are a top-ranking global school, Top 15 in the UK for Business and Economics (THE World University Rankings 2023) and 1st in the UK for annual research income 2020/21 (Chartered Association of Business Schools).

The School continues to grow and following a major donation by the Peter Bennett Foundation, the University of Sussex has established the Bennett Institute for Innovation and Policy Acceleration. The Bennett Institute aims to be a world-leading research centre focused on bringing about societal impact and the betterment of humanity, our mission is to accelerate the development of urgently needed policies and practices to tackle society’s greatest challenges. Adopting a unique and novel approach, the Bennett will focus initially on accelerating policies to halt and reverse climate change by bringing together academic research, insights from corporate executives, entrepreneurs, scientists and engineers, and engaging directly with policy-makers.

Led by Professor Benjamin Sovacool, one of the world’s most highly cited researchers in energy policy and climate change, and generator of more than £25 million in external grants the Institute is now looking to appoint a Bennett Chair in Climate Finance.

The Professor will provide exceptional strategic leadership of research and scholarship for the Institute and contribute to the strategic leadership of research, scholarship or teaching activities of the School. They will also foster internal and external collaboration with regional, UK and international businesses and other relevant bodies as appropriate to subject discipline and School strategy. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate an excellent track record of personal research achievement in a relevant area, together with experience of and commitment to delivering high quality, innovative teaching. They will have a proven record of success in securing competitive research funding and experience of successful PhD supervision.

Further information on how to apply can be found at https://candidates.perrettlaver.com/vacancies quoting reference 7019 by the deadline of 23:59 GMT Sunday 4th February 2024. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Tadhg Waddington at  [email protected] or +44 (0)20 7340 7369.