Our people

Institute Director

Professor David Hannah

Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability), Director of the Birmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action (BISCA), Professor of Hydrology, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Email: d.m.hannah@bham.ac.uk PA: Emma J Robinson

David is a physical geographer with interdisciplinary research interests focusing on three complementary themes within hydroclimatology (interface between hydrology-climatology): (1) hydroclimatological processes within alpine, Arctic, mountain and glacierized river basins; (2) climate and river flow regimes; and (3) river energy budget and water temperature dynamics.

hannah-david-cropped-230x230

Deputy Directors

Dr Liza Jabbour

Department of Management, Senior Lecturer in Business Economics

Email: l.jabbour@bham.ac.uk

Liza's main research interest is applied international economics with a special focus on firms’ internationalisation decisions and the interactions between firms’ productivity and international strategies.

Dr Helen Onyeaka PhD, MSc, BSc

School of Chemical Engineering, Associate Professor

Email: h.onyeaka@bham.ac.uk

Helen's research interests include microbial responses to environmental stress, use of natural preservatives in food processing, food safety, quality and spoilage and antimicrobial resistance.

Affiliates

The Birmingham Institute for Sustainability & Climate Action (BISCA) is currently seeking applications for Affiliate membership to internal University of Birmingham candidates.

Applications re-open: 17 February 2025

Join our vibrant network of sustainability researchers and contribute to meaningful action on the most pressing grand challenges for society and our planet.

The BISCA Team

Working in partnership with the BISCA leadership, our skilled group of Professional Service and Technical staff support the breadth of activity facilitated by the Institute.

Professional Services staff

Ms Jessica Mylchreest

Head of Institute Operations, BISCA

j.mylchreest@bham.ac.uk

Jessica leads on the non-academic management of the Institute, enabling BISCA to undertake world-leading interdisciplinary research, develop strategic partnerships and deliver an exciting and innovative programme of education activities.

Jessica works alongside the BISCA Director to shape and influence the strategic direction of the Institute.

Jessica leads a joint operations team which supports the Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Science and AI (IIDSAI), and the Birmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action (BISCA). BISCA and IIDSAI are co-located in Elm House, a new collaborative working space for interdisciplinary research.

As a shared operations team, based in the Elm House Hub, the team facilitates the effective and efficient operation of both Institutes and activity in the Elm House offices, meeting, teaching and collaborative spaces.