Design, Energy, Environment and Water Alumni Awards 2023 winners

Peter Vale (MSc Water Pollution Control Technology 1995)

Carbon & Circular Economy Architect, Severn Trent

Working at the interface between research and solution delivery Peter Vale is an exceptional leader who ensures that innovative technologies help solve water treatment and resource management challenges.

Peter has played a formative role in the implementation of many technologies which are now to be found in operation worldwide. His current area of focus is on developing and evaluating technologies that will deliver low carbon, low energy, material recovery treatment flowsheets that will help Severn Trent deliver its net zero commitments.

His leadership of the wastewater research portfolio at Severn Trent has seen the development of the tools and technologies required to make the idea of energy-neutral wastewater treatment a reality. Delivering this vision has involved taking an international view of the innovation landscape. Peter is a genuine influencer and thought leader within the European water sector, having played a prominent role in several EU-funded projects. He has represented Severn Trent on a number of key international research programmes and has developed strong industry-academic partnerships.

Peter’s wider engagement with the sector is reflected in his commitment to nurturing the next generation of engineers and technologists. He is a mentor for Severn Trent’s CIWEM training scheme and supports a scholarship programme by mentoring engineering students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Barry Waddilove (MDes Design and Innovation for Sustainability 2014)

Head of Circular Economy and Partnerships, Electrolux Group

Barry is a design and innovation leader who champions design thinking and has broad insight into international product development gained through various design roles across Europe, Hong Kong, Canada and the US.

Having joined Electrolux Group in 2017, Barry led the company’s North American design team and then joined the global sustainability leadership team in early 2022 to oversee partnerships and collaborations. In his current role as Head of Circular Economy and Partnerships Barry leads new work to develop Electrolux's circular economy approach and priorities, while continuing to be responsible for supporting partnerships.

His dedication and drive to lead new work to develop Electrolux’s circular economy approach and priorities, including circular strategy, KPIs and business models is highly admired. Barry drives impact for the group's sustainability targets whilst also building additional value from the extended use of materials, products and services.

During various roles across global corporates, he has developed a deep knowledge of innovation processes and business model development. Barry has worked for the UK Government as a design innovation advisor and also for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation as an academic researcher exploring the role of system thinking in circular design. He is also a Fellow of the RSA.

Dr Alissa Cotton (PhD Low Carbon Energy Technology 2013)

Policy and Advocacy Lead, Shell Low Carbon Fuels

Dr Alissa Cotton has a passion for sustainability and low-carbon energy technology. She is currently Policy and Advocacy Lead for Shell’s Low Carbon Fuels.

During her time at Shell, Alissa has led and delivered work on greenhouse gas emissions management and mitigation for Shell’s carbon-critical projects and assets, collaborating across Shell’s Downstream, Integrated Gas, and Upstream businesses. She has developed and delivered global greenhouse gas policy recommendations and positioning for key sustainability topics and has been the Shell representative for several international organisations. In her current role, Alissa has a specific focus on sustainability and the implementation of low-carbon energy technology.

STEM mentoring is important to Alissa, and she has been both a mentor for Shell’s e-STEM mentoring programme for local schools and a mentor for the Oxford University Females in STEM mentoring programme. 

Alissa is a Chartered Environmentalist at the Society for the Environment. She volunteers on the Energy Sector Executive Committee for the Royal Society of Chemistry and is a guest lecturer on Cranfield's Energy Supply for Low Carbon Futures MSc. She won the 2013 Royal Society of Chemistry Energy Sector PhD thesis award competition. 

Dr Siobhan Gardiner (PhD in Environment and Agrifood 2017)

Global Director, Climate & Nature, ALDI SOUTH Group

Dr Siobhan Gardiner is an expert and advocate in environmental sustainability, helping accelerate the development of new and innovative concepts to reduce the impact of business on climate and the environment.

Siobhan recently joined ALDI SOUTH Group from Deloitte Ventures where she led the climate change and environment studio. Her role at Deloitte focused on looking at how emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, could improve sustainability within business and future-proof operations. Prior to joining Deloitte, Siobhan spent a decade working in R&D in consumer goods, supply chain innovation and sustainable production. 

She has won several awards for her work on sustainability action and innovation around the world, including being highlighted as a leading innovator by the Biosciences & Biotechnology Research Council (BBSRC) in 2018.

In addition to speaking at high-profile events, Siobhan speaks at school events to help girls and underrepresented groups who enjoy science not to be put off by stereotypes, and to understand the broad range of exciting career opportunities available in STEM. She was awarded the ‘Woman of the Future Award’ in the Commonwealth category for her work in pushing technology transfer and policy regarding food security, access to education and addressing the challenges of gender inequality. 

Comfort Kanshio (MSc Community Water and Sanitation for Development 2015)

Policy Officer - Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene, African Ministers Council on Water

Comfort Kanshio is a water, sanitation and hygiene advocate with over seven years of experience accrued from government and non-governmental organisations, and the private sector. She is currently Policy Officer - Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene at African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW).

By working extensively with international development partners, including the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, the African Development Bank, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, World Vision and the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA) Comfort is committed to ensuring that SDG6 becomes a reality.

She was instrumental in the development of the African Sanitation Policy Guidelines (ASPGs) following a rigorous and extensive stakeholder consultation and scientific research process. Comfort is now leading efforts in the utilisation of the Guidelines to improve the sanitation and hygiene policy environment across the African continent. Furthermore, she helped initiate the establishment of the policy engagement and coordination platform to partner with relevant organisations to support ASPG utilisation. 

Comfort has achieved international visibility as a current Alternate Governor of the World Water Council Board of Governors, where she represents AMCOW on the Board. She influences policy formulation and reform across the different African regions, as well as being a positive role model.