Dr. Stephen Lowe Email and Phone Number

I currently work with the Sustainable Futures research platform, bringing together the University of Manchester's vibrant and diverse research community to focus on key environmental sustainability challenges. As one of the world's most influential research universities in terms of impact on the UN SDGs, the platform allows the development of exciting new areas of research that can have real environmental and developmental impact. The role requires me to form working relationships and build teams from a wide range of backgrounds across a large education institution, helping to foster a culture of creative interdisciplinarity to develop research projects and groups. This includes bid writing, analysis of skills, research and creative thinking. My work involves presentation, networking, contribution to events and maintaining contacts within and outside of the organisation.

Working to deliver the Tevi project, an ERDF programme focused on the economic development of SMEs in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, alongside environmental growth, sustainable development and circular economy.

Undertaking research into the bioaccessibility of soil bound organic pollutants within the context of brownfield redevelopment as part of an EngD project.The research was primarily focused on the application of novel methods to assess the risk of soil borne contaminants to human health, including carcinogenic industrial pollutants. Through the application of bioaccessibility methodologies, it was shown that assessment of contaminated land is typically too conservative, and acts to deter redevelopment of impacted sites. The goal of the project was to investigate a potential connection between contaminated land and the the limits to redevelopment in brownfield sites, and the establishment of more sustainability-led solutions for brownfield and contaminated land management.The project combined high standards of academic achievement with direct industrial relevance to provide high-impact research.Analytical skills were developed, including statistical analysis, laboratory work, data plotting, spatial analysis and GIS.Through my research, I gained significant experience in public speaking and data presentation. My Doctoral work led to my invitation as a key speaker at a major international conference in Nanjing, in addition to the presentation of work at fourteen UK conference events to stakeholders from varied academic, industrial and policy formulation backgrounds.I am currently listed as an author on a major journal article. A further three articles are currently in preparation for submission as a result of the successful defence of the EngD thesis.

The role was as an Assistant Manager and Barista Maestro (staff trainer and store quality control manager) of a large, busy, city centre café. Application of leadership and organisational skills were essential, in addition to effective management of products, staffing, training, standards, auditing and managing internal finances. Caffe Nero identified me as a Barista Maestro, a staff member selected as the store preparation and staff training, due to my aptitude in drink preparation, coffee knowledge and staff management skills. During the course of my employment I was chosen to represent the store in the regional ‘barista of the year’ tournament, qualifying for the final round of the competition

The role required working as part of a large team in a busy environment, using initiative and acting on the requests of customers and fellow team members. This was a part-time role performed alongside my undergraduate studies.

Duties involved working as part of a team which dealt with the accounts of customers who had fallen behind with payments and had allowed their accounts to fall into debt. As a consequence, negotiation, empathy and problem solving skills were key, alongside the need to give authoritative advice to customers and fellow team members.