Deborah Beck works with our directors and Management Board to develop and deliver the Grantham Centre’s strategy across the University of Sheffield.
Our Grantham Centre Training Programme was designed by Deborah to prepare the Grantham Scholars to be sustainability leaders.
It is a unique programme that includes courses on a range of areas, such as working with industry and communication. And it is one of the reasons that being a Grantham Scholar is so attractive to PhDs. Along with Centre Administrator Jana Green, Deborah organises training for each cohort, and collects feedback to ensure quality.
Another major strand of Deborah’s work is policy engagement.
Deborah works with a range of contacts across public, private and third sectors. Using her specialist knowledge of our academics and PhD student research areas she connects people to relevant government inquiries and consultations. Plus she provides expert advice to academics and PhD students on how to write for a policy audience.
As such, Deborah has been the driving force behind much of our policy engagement.
Deborah is a vocal advocate in all areas of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).
As such, she often works behind the scenes to support the Grantham Scholars as they experience issues directly or through their research. So far, Deborah has embedded EDI into our recruitment strategy – and this has been rolled out to other departments at TUoS.
And she makes sure that staff and Scholars alike consider EDI in every applicable aspect of their work, for example when approaching speakers for events. Plus she spearheaded consideration of issues raised by the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020 within the Grantham Centre.
Working with the whole team, Deborah organises our events, such as our yearly Symposium. And she made the transition to online events during the pandemic.
Every year the Grantham Scholars put on events as part of the Festival of Debate. Along with Jana Green, Deborah guides the Scholars through this process. Her involvement includes everything from approaching speakers to advertising the events.
With Jana Green, Deborah provides pastoral and professional support to the Grantham Scholars. And she maintains relationships with our alumni when they leave the Grantham Centre.
And Deborah is responsible for financial management of our budget. This includes allocations, forecasting and the provision of statistical information and modelling in relation to financial performance. Working with the Finance Manager, she provides financial management advice as required.
Deborah was a trustee for three years at climate change charity Hope for the Future. HftF provide the Grantham Scholars training in working with MPs on climate issues. Find out more about HftF and the Grantham Scholars.
In 2022, Deborah Beck, Jana Green and Claire Moran were all nominated for ‘brilliant doctoral supervision’ in the Think Ahead scheme, which aims to recognise and celebrate people who support PhDs.
Our experts give evidence on soil and plastic to Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology.
David Rapley research fellowship in Parliament.
Grantham Centre training Programme.
Hope for the Future at the Grantham Centre.
#BalanceForBetter at the Grantham Centre by Deborah Beck.
You can find Deborah on LinkedIn.