People
Dr. Carla-Leanne Washbourne
- Provost Fellow Department of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Public Policy (University College London)
- Email: c.washbourne@ucl.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)20 3108 9428
- Previously worked with David Manning as a PhD Student and helped deliver some of the first core results which formed the basis of the SUCCESS project.
Dr Carla-Leanne Washbourne is a Provost Fellow working on the technical and policy dimensions of ecosystem services in urban areas. From November 2013 Carla is seconded to the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology as a Physical Sciences, IT and Communications Adviser, returning full-time to STEaPP in July 2014.
Carla graduated from Durham University with a BSc (hons) in Natural Sciences (Earth Sciences and Archaeology) and Newcastle University with an MSc in Engineering Geology (2009) and a PhD in Geosciences (2014). Carla's PhD research investigated the potential for engineering soils to act as carbon sinks, promoting carbon capture and storage through physical management and effective application of mineral amendments. This work, and involvement in two EPSRC Impact Award grants designed to engage stakeholders, developed her interest in environmental policy and its application to the earth sciences.
Carla undertook a policy internship within the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) (January - March 2013), producing a briefing on treatment options for residual waste in Scotland. She also worked as a policy intern for environmental regeneration charity Groundwork North East (July - August 2010) investigating the potential for temporary use of vacant urban land, engaging with stakeholders in industry, local government and the third sector, producing strategy and toolkit documents.
Carla is driven by a desire to encourage engagement between researchers and a range of interest groups, and is very interested in public perceptions of science. She has worked on a broad range of engagement projects throughout her career, including performing at the British Science Festival 2013, introducing and delivering public lectures, assisting in cross-disciplinary exhibitions at cultural venues and hosting student placements at Newcastle University via the Nuffield Bursaries scheme.
She was the founding co-editor of Newcastle University’s student-led science magazine {react}, and has worked as a freelance music and arts journalist since 2006. She has a long involvement in the performing arts and has recently developed a particular passion for research-based stand-up comedy (Bright Club, Science Showoff), performing in London, Newcastle, Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2013.
