Prof Michael Depledge CBE

Professor Michael Depledge is an interdisciplinary research scientist and policy advisor with diverse expertise on the threats from the environment to humans and wildlife, and the potential of natural settings and resources to foster better health.

He is the former founding Director of the European Centre for Environment and Human Health, within the University of Exeter Medical School, and currently chairs the Centre’s Advisory Board.

Michael is Chair of the Advisory Board for the SOPHIE project, serving along with other Board members as a “critical friend” to the project. He is also chair of the advisory board for the H2020 funded Blue Health project and is a key proponent of oceans and human health research in Europe.

Professor Depledge is a senior advisor to the UK Government, the WHO and UNEP. He is a former Chief Scientist of the Environment Agency, a founding Board Member of Natural England, and a former member of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution.

He was formerly an Honorary Visiting Professor at Harvard University, Oxford University, and Imperial College, London, among others. He is currently the Honorary Professor of Public Policy and University College, London and a Visiting Professor of Chiba University Medical School, Tokyo, Japan. He has published more than 400 peer reviewed papers in the scientific literature.

Michael was appointed as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by H.M. Queen Elizabeth in January, 2016. He works towards unravelling the intimate interconnections between human health, wellbeing and the environment with a view to achieving sustainable lives in harmony with nature.