The development of the Global Plastics Policy Centre was funded by the Flotilla Foundation, and is delivered by the Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth.
About the Revolution Plastics Institute
The Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth aims to urgently confront the global plastics crisis through inclusive, solutions-focused research and innovation to support the transition to a sustainable plastics future.
The interdisciplinary research institute draws together colleagues from across the University, most notably from the Centre for Blue Governance, the Institute of Marine Sciences, and the Centre for Enzyme Innovation.
We see a critical space for the University as an independent, objective evidence provider at the interface of government, businesses, citizens, and researchers.
Who we are
The Revolution Plastics Institute directly employs around 15 staff based at its offices in Portsmouth, with a number of remote researchers. Research staff are divided into different projects based on their expertise and there exists a small core of finance, communications, technical and secretarial staff which provides support facilities.
There is further support and staffing from connected research centres within the wider university, broadening the Revolution Plastics Institute’s capacity significantly, having Research Fellows and Research Associates contribute on an ad-hoc collaborative basis.
Responsibility for management of the Institute lies with the director, Professor Steve Fletcher, who works with the research team to provide intellectual leadership of the research programmes.
Independent External Advisory Council
The Revolution Plastics Institute is guided by an independent external Advisory Council made up of senior executives from diverse organisations and sectors, including high-level policy agencies, NGOs and both national and multinational corporations.
The Council plays an imperative role in ensuring our research remains relevant, objective and effectively disseminated. The Revolution Plastics Institute has a wide range of stakeholders who are consistently engaged to ensure the feasibility and integrity of proposed solutions.
The Global Plastics Policy Centre core research team
Dr Antaya March
DirectorI am the Director of the Global Plastics Policy Centre, and a Senior Research Associate for the Revolution Plastics Institute. I have a strong background in marine resource management, the blue economy, the circular economy and marine plastics. I have been working closely with UNEP to help inform the development of a legally binding plastics treaty. I'm involved in a number of projects looking at sustainable transitions, marine resource management, nature based solutions and the social impacts of policy and governance. I also work closely with the Centre for Blue Governance.
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Professor Steve Fletcher
Director of Revolution Plastics InstituteI am Director of the Revolution Plastics Institute. I am a Professor of Ocean Policy and Economy and my key research interests include conservation, the sustainable blue economy, the deep ocean, and ocean literacy. My research and practice focus on creating sustainable outcomes for people and the planet, particularly the interconnected challenges of plastic pollution and the transition to a sustainable blue economy. I do research that generates meaningful societal outcomes and directly confronts biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change.
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Dr Tegan Evans
Research FellowI am a Research Fellow with the Revolution Plastics Institute. My primary research interests are how transformative change is achieved through diverse tools and approaches, and evaluating the effectiveness of plastic policy and governance. I use qualitative research methods, and work closely with the Centre for Blue Governance.
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Laura Nieminen
Centre ManagerI am a Centre Manager for the Global Plastics Policy Centre at the University of Portsmouth. I oversee the Centre's operations and strategic development. I also support the Centre’s contributions to the UNEP process on a global plastics treaty and facilitate collaborations to advance evidence-based solutions to plastic pollution. My background includes research on consumer behaviour, climate impacts of the plastic life cycle, and the circularity potential within plastic and waste management policy frameworks in Southeast Asia.
Samuel Winton
Postgraduate ResearcherI am a postgraduate researcher at the Revolution Plastics Institute and recently commenced my PhD studies 'Exploring the development and outcomes of the global plastics treaty'. In recent years, I been conducting work with a range of international organisations with a view to creating policies to tackle the global plastics problem and facilitate sustainable development. This has included extensive engagement in the Global Plastic Treaty process including attending the negotiations as an accredited observer.
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Wanjiku Chege
Postgraduate ResearcherI am a Kenyan PhD researcher and Research Associate at the Revolution Plastics Institute, University of Portsmouth. My work looks at the intersection of environmental and social justice, plastic pollution, the circular economy, and Indigenous knowledge systems. My research delves into these intricate relationships, and my goal is to bridge the gap between local and traditional knowledge and the contemporary circular economy framework in order to create just and equitable solutions to plastic pollution.
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Georgios Georgiou
Research AssociateI am a Research Associate for the Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth. I support all research areas within the Institute, including plastics policy analysis for the Global Plastics Policy Centre. My research focuses on environmental conservation and sustainability, particularly addressing the interconnected challenges of plastic pollution and the ecological restoration of marine habitats. My work has real-world impact, from providing a strong evidence base for an ambitious global plastics treaty to offering policy and restoration guidance for key ecosystems.
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Dr Keiron Roberts
Senior LecturerI am a Senior Lecturer in sustainability and the built environment. I have a strong background in waste management and policy, recently supporting the International Resource Panel on determining policies to eliminate marine plastic litter. Through the Global Plastics Policy Centre, myself, Prof Fletcher and Ms March have been producing work for UNEP to help inform the development of a legally binding plastics treaty. Alongside my work within the Global Plastics Policy Centre and the Revolution Plastics Institute, I work on multiple decarbonisation projects; ranging from developing hydrogen energy systems to mapping the global impact of COVID related plastics.
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