Dr Jennifer Rao-Williams

Jennifer holds a PhD in Human Geography and an MReS in Sustainability Development. They have held roles in post doc research roles in the UK and Germany, working largely in inter and transdisciplinary research, and have over a decade experience of policy related research predominantly centred around social justice, creating more liveable, healthier cities and resilient communities.

In addition to academia, Jennifer is also the founder and director of a manufacturing company that brings to the market alternative products that focus on the circular economy. Jennifer’s interests in both academia and entrepreneurship focus on the notion of collective impact through supporting communities of knowledge and action: they are a self-confessed impact and evaluation geek and have Big Hairy Audacious Goals of reducing plastic waste from the consumer market.

Jennifer is a Career Pathways Mentor to PhD researchers through the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science, and a Bridge 2 Business mentor to entrepreneurs through the Young Enterprise Scotland program. They are a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, and a member of the Centre for Engineering, Education and Development.