Mark Charlton
Mark has vast experience in public engagement to enhance research and applied teaching using volunteering and service-learning to champion sustainability, with expertise in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mark is an experienced Higher Education professional working in Climate Action (SDG13) and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG16) to promote sustainability in communities, having worked in community engagement, public engagement in research and widening participation strategies for 10 years. Mark is currently at Associate Director of Sustainable Development Goal Impact and Net Zero Research Theme Director at De Montfort University, leading the United Nations Academic Impact Hub for Sustainable Development Goal 16. Prior to working in HE, Mark was a journalist.
Under Mark’s leadership, the profile of sustainability at De Montfort University has been high with large numbers of students and staff applying SDG frameworks to learning activities, research projects and community outreach. Mark used the United Nations Build Back Better Framework to engage communities, businesses and local authorities in a co-created strategy to support Leicester’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mark maintains a strong relationship with officials at the United Nations and works with academic staff and students to develop local responses to global issues and is currently leading a research project to support a network of amateur football teams around the work to achieve Net Zero targets, in tandem with the UN’s global Football for the Goals campaign.
Outside of work, Mark is an avid supporter of German Bundesliga football team Hertha BSC, a co-founder of the Hertha BSC UK fan club and runs the bi-weekly fan club podcast.