School of Earth and Environment

Claire Marsh Dr Claire Marsh

Visiting Researcher

Email address: c.l.marsh@leeds.ac.uk

Biography

Qualifications: PhD in Action Research for Sustainability in the NHS (University of Leeds), Postgraduate Diploma in Education for Sustainability (South Bank University) BSc Geography (University of Edinburgh)

Research Interests: Action Research as an organizational change strategy specifically related to developing sustainable development initiatives; learning/education for sustainability; sustainable development in the public sector (particularly NHS & Higher Education); broader issues of organizational change.

Current Projects: Claire is currently employed as a part-time Research Fellow by Bradford Institute for Health Research, working on projects related to NHS organization (specifically patient involvement in safety & quality issues). Claire is also a founding member of the Sustainable Health through Action Research in Practice (SHARP) network. SHARP members believe that the goals of health and sustainability are mutually reinforcing, and that both are reliant on complex interactions between economic, social and ecological systems. States of 'health' and 'sustainability' cannot therefore be achieved by one agency or profession but must involve cross-disciplinary action and participation from all. SHARP develops Action Research approaches to enhancing health and sustainability in local contexts. These involve collaborative partnerships between academics and practitioners working e.g. in the NHS, local government, and in NGOs, and individuals. New network members are always welcome.

Experience in organizational change &/or sustainable development:

  • Ecological support in the Environment Agency
  • Environmental Projects Coordinator for the NHS Trusts in Cornwall
  • Teaching Fellow in the Sustainability Research Institute at the University of Leeds
  • Coordinator of University of Leeds Education for Sustainable Development Network piloting and developing approaches to curriculum change.

Marsh, Claire L (2011) Action Research for Sustainability in the UK National Health Service (NHS): linking theory and practice in organizational strategy for sustainable development. PhD thesis, University of Leeds