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Meet the team

With over 60 years of combined experience, the Sustainability team are driving the University forward towards becoming Net Zero by 2040. Find out more about their roles and how they play a part in ensuring we have a sustainable future.

Greenery outside of the John Dawson Sciences Complex at City Campus

Sustainability leadership

Our sustainability team

Keith Slater, Head of Environmental Sustainability

Keith leads the team to develop and deliver the University’s Environmental Sustainability Plan. As well as responsibility for the long-term planning and implementation of environmental sustainability at the University, Keith’s main focus is reducing energy use and carbon emissions, to enable the University to achieve its Net Zero Carbon ambitions.

Email: keith.slater@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab).

Laura Middlemass, Sustainability Manager

Laura works alongside academic leads to embed sustainability into the curriculum at all levels, across all faculties. She also engages staff, students, and other stakeholders on sustainability through various communication and engagement activities. Laura manages the University’s Eco Campus Environmental Management System, and is the lead within the team on work to start adopting circular economy principles and more environmentally sustainable procurement practices.

Email: laura.middlemass@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab).

Laura Kerry, Sustainability Officer (Travel Planning)

Laura's responsibilities are delivering the University's Travel Plan to encourage staff, students, and visitors to travel sustainably. This is to reduce the congestion and carbon emissions associated with travelling to campus. Laura's focus includes auditing and improving facilities to encourage low carbon and active travel, providing information on public transport services and ticketing, and working with local partners and stakeholders to enhance the options and experience for commuters.

Email: laura.kerry@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab).

Joanne Laughlin, Energy and Sustainability Officer

Joanne's responsibilities are managing utility contracts and monitoring and targeting energy use across the University. Joanne’s main focus is data collection and analysis, providing detailed carbon reporting to the wider University and governing bodies. With a vast knowledge of the estate, Joanne assists in the development of energy efficient projects by providing insight on building data and performance, working towards the decarbonisation of the University to reduce carbon emissions in line with the University Carbon Management Plan.

Email: joanne.laughlin@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab).

Other support

The sustainability team are supported by:

General enquiries

For general sustainability enquiries, contact: sustainability@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab).