Sustainability in action: United Nations Principles of Responsible Management Education (UN PRME)

Dr Rosina Watson Head of the Sustainable Business Group

Rosina Watson completed her PhD at Cranfield between 2014 and 2018 after an 18-year career in industry, primarily in the retail sector, which culminated with three years as Head of Corporate Sustainability at Home Retail Group (Argos and Homebase). Rosina is now an Associate Professor of Sustainability, Head of the Sustainable Business Group and Co-Director of the Sustainability MSc. Her research centres on sustainable innovation, both in large corporate organisations and by entrepreneurs, with a focus on how partnerships and collaboration can enhance sustainable innovation.

“One of the things I love about Cranfield and my role is connecting people and ideas to help accelerate progress towards a sustainable future. My decision to change my career in mid-life was motivated by a desire to drive significant change quickly in the way businesses and their leaders think about their role in society, and the ways they can drive value for society, not just profit for profit’s sake. Our team works hard to create a supportive community that can help broker relationships between stakeholders who have questions and challenges and researchers and innovators who have answers and solutions. “I speak to many organisations about our sustainability research and teaching, and regularly involve external experts and speakers in our teaching and events, including Mary Creagh (former MP and Chair

of the Environmental Audit Committee), Carol Somper (Sustainability Director at environmental consultancy JRP Solutions), Sarah Galloway (Sustainability Consultant at global leadership advisory and search firm Russell Reynolds) and Daniel Witte (Consultant at sustainability consultancy Carnstone). “Sustainability challenges are complex, and the solutions involve all parts of society – business, government, investors, civil society and us as individual citizens. That’s why we invest our time and passion in building community and

facilitating dialogue outside the university – making our research and teaching count in terms of helping to drive the positive change we so urgently need. I don’t think my job would be as externally focused as this in any other University!”

United Nations Principles of Responsible Management Education (UN PRME) 19