Our Story - Our team

Dr Gareth Abrahams

Director & Head of Building Design Research

Before becoming an academic I worked for over 10 years as a senior project architect designing and delivered a number of prestigious projects across all RIBA stages of work and in a range of sectors. In this period, I began to question some of our taken-for-granted ideas about sustainability in construction: why do we focus so heavily on what a building product does (its performance) rather than what it is made of? Is a building that achieves a high BREEAM rating actually more sustainable than one that doesn’t?

These kinds of questions underpin my research and is now fundamental to the work we do in Changing Streams. This work is important as it asks us to look beyond the datasheet, to consider how much plastic is used to make the buildings that surround us and the impact this has on the built and the natural environment.

The rest of our team

Neal Maxwell

Founder

I’ve spent over 3 decades in the Fit-out industry and have seen a number of seismic changes in my working environment and of course,...

Prof Jonathan Sharples

Director & Head of Oceanography

I have been researching the ocean for the past 30 years, studying how ocean physics (tides, weather, ocean currents) affects the growth and distribution...

Kris Tisdale

Director

I am fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to see much of the world and whilst travelling I have seen first-hand the devastating...

Dr Wendy Jones

Director & Science Engagement Lead

I am a scientist with many years of experience in business development on both sides of the academic-industry interface. I have lived and worked...

Caroline Harris

Strategic Advisor

I have 18 years’ experience across Operations, Finance, and IT in the Financial Services industry, specialising in Change Management. I worked on the introduction...

Lynda Thompson

Research Associate

I’m a relentlessly curious qualitative researcher working in the construction, infrastructure and energy (fuel crisis) sectors. I'm a people person first and foremost and...

Laura Hayter

Sustainability Communications Consultant

I am an environmental writer passionate about helping organisations reach wider audiences while offering realistic hope for our planet's future. With an MSc in...

Prof Saul Humphrey

Ambassador

MSc PhD FRICS FCIOB FICE MCIArb FRSA CEnv Saul is an experienced Managing Director, Consultant, Property Investor/Developer and Construction/Project Manager in the Construction sector, specialising...

Asmaa Sadou Ammar

Changing Streams Research Centre

Commencing my academic journey at the University of Alicante, I developed a passion for architecture and engineering. Studying abroad in the UK and Greece...