Arup Director, John Miles, takes up new Research Chair of Transitional Energy Strategies at Cambridge University being co-sponsored by Arup and the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Arup, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the University of Cambridge have joined forces to create new energy research post, reflecting growing interest in how society can build toward a lower carbon future while supporting sustainable economic growth.
Arup Director, John Miles, will leave his current post to take up the inaugural role as Arup/Royal Academy of Engineering Research Professor in Transitional Energy Strategies at Cambridge University from January 2012.
Professor Miles aims to use the post to explore the development of affordable, low carbon energy technologies and business models.
“It is a great honour to take up this position at Cambridge University. I hope our research will help to inspire some of the creative thinking that will be needed to open up real business opportunities for those engaged in leading the transition from our current carbon-intensive economy to a healthier, cleaner, lower carbon future.
- John Miles
Professor Dame Ann Dowling, Head of the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge, welcomed the announcement, saying, “Professor Miles’ research will put a sharp focus on the practicalities of making the transition from conventional power to a lower carbon future. His new chair is a perfect fit with the Engineering Department's strategic theme, ‘Energy, Transport and Urban Infrastructure’, and the wider drive for energy solutions across the whole University.”
Robert Barrett, Head of Research Programmes at the Royal Academy of Engineering, added, “We are delighted to co-sponsor this research chair with Arup. The Royal Academy of Engineering is committed to promoting the highest quality research into the key issues we face as a society and this post will do much to aid our understanding of the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”
Recent developments in both Brussels and Durban have underlined the global challenges involved in restoring the global economy to health and reducing the threat of global climate change. Affordable, low-carbon energy technologies will play a critical role in developing long-term solutions, which is why Arup and the Royal Academy of Engineering have been so keen to support the new Research Chair at the University of Cambridge.