Roland Clift Lecture Series

Each year the Roland Clift Lecture Series is presented by a different speaker who discusses aspects involving environment and sustainability.

Upcoming events

Past lectures

Our lecture series is part of the the Global Challenges Forum which is a curated series of new and established lectures in which specially invited guest speakers will discuss their work to address some of the biggest societal challenges of our time and efforts to create a better future.

Women laughing at socialising event after Roland Clift lecture by Joanna Yarrow

Gary Kass - Royal Holloway

Strengthening skills for sustainability.

Gary discussed how we can equip ourselves for future success in being sustainable.

Distinguished Professor Emeritus Roland Clift

Roland Clift - University of Surrey

A journey in sustainability - Looking backwards and ahead.

Roland’s lecture addressed the future of human society and how quality of life will be affected by technical, environmental and social developments.

Students in a seminar

Roland Geyer - University of California

The role of business on a planet in peril.

Professor Geyer discussed the triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution and industries part in this.

Yoanna Yarrow speaking during her lecture

Joanna Yarrow - IKEA Group

Inspiring and enabling a billion people to live better lives within the planet's limits.

Joanna shows an insight into IKEA's people and planet positive sustainability strategy.

Roland Clift holding a microphone sat with crowd during lecture

Steve Waygood - Aviva Investors

Can capitalism deliver sustainable development?

Dr Waygood talks about sustainable finance and investments.

Speaker in a lecture

Johan Rockström - Stockholm Resilience Centre

World development within planetary boundaries.

Johan Rockström discussed his latest research on the planetary boundaries.

People in a lecture

Jacqueline Cramer - Utrecht University

Transition towards a circular economy: The case of the Metropole region Amsterdam.

Professor Cramer addressed the challenges of transitioning towards a ‘circular economy’ using the Amsterdam region as a case study.