Professor Stephen Gough

Professor of Environment and Society

Steve’s research interests lie in the role of education and, more broadly, learning at the interface between human societies and non-human nature. It’s at this interface that ‘the economy’ and ‘the environment’ are created and recreated, for better or worse.

The practical significance of this work is considerable and wide ranging and is illustrated by the range of organisations that have engaged with Steve’s research. These include the Economic and Social Research Council, the UK Department for International Development, the Higher Education Funding Council for England, the World Wildlife Fund, the North American Association for Environmental Education, Kew Gardens, The UK Prime Minister’s Development Unit, the State Treasury of Victoria, Australia, and the UNESCO International Hydrological Programme.

An example of his research is work carried out for the UK National Health Service (NHS), working with Procurement Officers to develop sustainable approaches to the procurement of goods and services. The NHS is a huge organisation that buys a vast range of resources, most of which have significance in terms of their direct environmental and/or social impacts; supply chains; local, regional or national economic impact; materials content; and, end of life-cycle disposal - in addition to their health and clinical significance. This purchasing takes place in an institutional context that, quite properly, requires the demonstration of value for money. This research project developed innovative ways of helping practitioners learn to make better decisions in changing contexts, so that they themselves felt that they were doing a better job.

Steve has authored or co-authored six books, as well as many publications in peer-reviewed journals. He is in regular demand as a speaker around the world, and as a supervisor of doctoral students.