Professor Julia Myatt has been recognised in the Environment 100 Awards for her outstanding contributions to environmental sustainability.
Professor Julia Myatt
Professor Julia Myatt, Academic Director of Sustainability Education at the University of Birmingham, has been recognised in the Environment 100 Awards for her outstanding contributions to environmental sustainability.
The awards celebrate 100 individuals across the UK who are making a significant impact in advancing sustainability, and Professor Myatt’s recognition reflects her transformative leadership in embedding sustainability into higher education.
I’m really pleased to be recognised in the Environment 100 Awards. For me, this is about the hard work and enthusiasm of colleagues and students right across the University who are making sustainability part of everyday life here. It’s been exciting to see how far we’ve come, and I’m looking forward to what we can achieve together next.
Professor Myatt has played a pivotal role in reshaping the University of Birmingham’s approach to sustainability education. Under her leadership, the University rose dramatically in the QS Sustainability Rankings, moving from 101st place in 2023 to 35th in 2024, while maintaining a strong position in 2025. Her initiatives also contributed to a 4.41% improvement in the People & Planet league table, enhancing both the University’s domestic and global reputation.
She has led the introduction of sustainability and biodiversity literacy training for staff and students - engaging more than 1000 participants to date - while supporting over 60 undergraduate internships in sustainability-focused projects and a community of student sustainability champions. Her work has also ensured that sustainability is embedded into staff inductions and training for educators, making it a core part of the University’s educational culture.
Alongside her leadership role, Professor Myatt continues to teach in Biosciences, and beyond, bringing sustainability directly into the classroom and ensuring students’ voices are central to the University’s sustainability journey.
Professor Myatt’s leadership in sustainability education has been transformative. Her initiatives have directly contributed to Birmingham’s rise in the QS Sustainability Rankings and strengthened our position in the People & Planet league. Julia has embedded sustainability across the educational framework, ensuring that every student and staff member is engaged in our mission. Her ability to align academic innovation with institutional strategy is exceptional, and this recognition is richly deserved.
Professor in Collaborative Education
Professor Julia Myatt's research interests include morphology-behaviour-habitat interfaces in non-human great apes and the collective behaviour of group-living animals
Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability)
Professor David Hannah studies hydroclimatology in cold regions, focusing on river dynamics, climate interactions, and ecohydrology.
