Plastic pollution is a complex global challenge which cannot be solved by technical means alone. Lesley Henderson, Professor of Science Communications in Journalism, Media and Communication, founded the Centre for Social Dimensions of Plastics to train the next generation of plastics researchers using the tools of Humanities and Social Sciences to help address pollution related crises. Our projects have a particular focus on communications and behavioural change using a range of digital methods, qualitative and quantitative approaches to tackle pressing contemporary issues.

Our Centre is a novel collaboration between business, government, and higher education to identify spaces of consensus and achieve systemic change. Our aim is to provide students with ‘real world’ experiences, develop sustainability research leaders and build a community of scholars focused on interdisciplinary evidence-based approaches to the climate crisis more broadly.

Lesley Henderson is an internationally recognised expert in communications and social change with a track record in leading global projects and developing communications focused interventions with strong policy connections. Paul Flowers, Professor of Health Change, in Psychology co directs the Centre and is internationally recognised for expertise in psychology-based public health interventions and regularly advises the Scottish Government on emerging public health issues including pandemics.

Our students work across different settings and engage with media practitioners, publics, community leaders and policy makers to co-create solutions. Our vision is for all of our postgraduate researchers to complete their PhDs with a suite of skills and experience and a network of contacts that will enhance their long-term future opportunities. 
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is embedded through the whole doctoral training journey from project development, attracting talent and adopting a transparent recruitment process, offering continuous professional development, nurturing talent through to completion and monitoring and reporting after exit.