Mr Ian Christie

Biography

2011: Fellow, Sustainable Lifestyles Research Group at CES

1999-2011: Freelance researcher, advisor, teacher and writer on sustainable development and environmental policy. Projects for central and local government, public agencies, business, NGOs and think-tanks. Part-time policy advisor to ministers and officials on sustainable housing and climate policy, 2006-2008. Associate of Green Alliance think-tank. Visiting professor and lecturer at CES. Chair of RESOLVE advisory group at CES, 2007-2010. Trustee of Involve; Foundation for Democracy and Sustainable Development; Global Action Plan. Advisory committee member for WWF-UK's global and national programmes, 2004-2010.

2003-2006: Job-share as joint head of environment, economy and waste management services at Surrey County Council.

1997-1999: Deputy / acting director of Demos think-tank, London.

1995-1997: Senior consultant / Associate Director, The Henley Centre for Forecasting Ltd, London. Research programme head and lead researcher on environment and consumption. 

1986-1995: Research Fellow / Senior Fellow, Policy Studies Institute, London (now part of University of Westminster). Projects on diffusion and impacts of new technology in industry; energy efficiency; evaluation of Government business support programmes; cleaner production systems in UK industry.

1979-1986: Computer programmer, International Computers Ltd (now Fujitsu UK); technical author and manager of documentation services, K3 Software Services Ltd (now part of IBM UK).

Research Interests

• Sustainable consumption
• Sustainable development and policymaking
• Civil society and sustainable development
• Climate policy and governance
• Religions and environmental values

Research Collaborations

Sustainable Lifestyles Research Group: collaboration with Institute of Fiscal Studies, University of Bath, University of Sussex, Brunel University, University of Edinburgh

Research collaboration with think-tanks in recent years: ScienceWise network (Cabinet Office) on Science Horizons programme on public understanding of science and technology trends and scenarios, 2007; Theos on environmental strategy and vision for the Church of England, 2009; The Futures Company on environmental scenarios for Government departments, Environment Agency and other bodies, 2007-2010

Teaching

Sustainable Development module, CES 

Society for Sustainable Development: people and community course for Forum for the Future Scholars programme delivered with Middlesex University

Occasional lecturer at Schumacher College, Dartington, UK

Departmental Duties

Research

Research management

Teaching

Sustainable Development module for MSc courses

Affiliations

Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), London

Member of : WWF-UK, Green Alliance, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Town and Country Planning Association, International Association for Environmental Philosophy

Associate/ affiliate of: Green Alliance; The Futures Company; Alliance of Religions and Conservation; Theos

Trustee/advisory board member: Involve; Schumacher College; Global Action Plan; Foundation for Democracy and Sustainable Development