Mr Paul Rooney, Assistant Head of the Department of Geography and Environmental Science, has been elected as Vice Convener of the new Academia Special Interest Group, for the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).
CIEEM is the leading professional membership body representing and supporting ecologists and environmental managers in the UK, Ireland and abroad. Established in 1991 and receiving a Royal Charter in 2013, it has over 5,000 members drawn from across the employment sectors, including local authorities, government agencies, non-governmental organisations, environmental consultancy, academia and industry.
Mr Rooney said: “Before joining Hope in 1999, I worked in nature conservation as a Coastal Ranger and led an EU-funded LIFE project on coastal sand dunes. My experience of working in both nature conservation and academia means I appreciate the importance of students and academics being closely involved in CIEEM. I am delighted to accept this appointment, and hope that through it I can help to strengthen links between the environmental industry and universities.”
CIEEM's Special Interest Groups (SIGs) provide a focus for activity in particular topic areas of ecology and environmental management. The Academia SIG has been founded to provide a forum for networking with each other, and those members with an interest in working with academic institutions, for mutual benefit and support.