Student shares her views for change on an international scale at COP26

Eleanor Lewis, who is studying for a PhD in Industrial Decarbonisation Skills and Policy, shared her thoughts and views on a panel called ‘The North West Presents: Talking about my Generation.’

Hosted by broadcaster and journalist Paul Mason, the sessions brought together North West Metro Mayors, Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham and HyNet North West Project Director, David Parkin, together with activists and young people who are set to take on the mantle in the crucial decades, to take part in a range of different discussions.

Eleanor joined David Parkin and two other PhD students from North West universities to discuss the theme ‘Innovation will save us all!’ The session explored how leaders and business agree that innovation is the only way forward and that the world needs to be dynamic and creative to devise solutions for the future. The group discussed the great ideas in development currently and the skills needed to take them to fruition.

Eleanor graduated from the University in 2019 with a BSc in Geography and served two terms as the President of Chester Students’ Union before embarking on her PhD.

Eleanor said: “Not long after I started my research, my supervisor Professor Joe Howe, asked if I wanted to be involved in discussion panel at COP26. Naturally, I jumped at the opportunity. It was thanks to his work and my future work as a research assistant with HyNet, for which the University of Chester is the academic lead, that this opportunity presented itself. I was invited as part of an intergenerational approach to innovation.

“The best thing about being involved, aside from being on a platform with experts where our thoughts could be shared about making the world a better place, was being in an environment with people from around the world exchanging ideas.”

Professor Joe Howe, who is the Executive Director of the University’s Energy Research Institute at Thornton Science Park and Chair of the North West Hydrogen Alliance, said: “I am so proud that Eleanor had the opportunity to take part in this panel which formed part of the North West’s response to climate change.

“Eleanor’s research is focussing on such a vital subject that I am sure this is just the beginning of many ways she will be able to showcase her work.”