In this new role, Professor Parsons will lead Loughborough’s ambitious plans to further advance its research and innovation agenda.

He will be joining the University in September, as Loughborough embarks on its new strategy to 2030 – ‘Creating Better Futures. Together’. The strategy outlines the University’s goals for the next phase of its development and will be the framework that shapes and guides the activity of all its Schools and Professional Services over the next ten years.

Professor Parsons is currently based at the University of Hull, where he was the founding director of the Energy and Environment Institute (EEI). Under his leadership the EEI has brought together a multidisciplinary team of more than 180 researchers over the past four years, to conduct impactful research on the global challenges presented by environmental change.

Dan is also a Division President at the European Geosciences Union and currently a European Research Council Grant Holder. 

Prior to joining the University of Hull, Professor Parsons was a Lecturer in Earth System Science at the University of Leeds and a Research Fellow at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

His research interests centre on the interfaces between earth system science, anthropogenic impacts on earth's function and broader sustainability issues, including renewable energy.

Speaking about his appointment Loughborough’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nick Jennings, said: “We are delighted to welcome Professor Parsons to Loughborough. As the University embarks on its new strategy, his leadership will play a crucial part in the delivery of our ambitious plans over the next 10 years, putting research and innovation at the heart of all that we do.

“His knowledge and experience in the field of sustainability will also enable us to push forward our work in this vital area of research, underlining our commitment to be a driving force in tackling the many global environmental challenges the world is facing.”

Professor Parsons said: “I am thrilled to be joining the Loughborough family at this time, with the aspirations set out within the new strategy to grow the breadth, depth and quality of the research and innovation across the University. I am looking forward to working across the Schools and Professional Service areas raise our international standing and reputation and also bringing forward bold plans concerning a broader sustainability agenda.”