Environment Question Time 2017 panellists
Learn more about our panellists
Panellist: Shane Antonition, MSc Environmental Consultancy Student, Plymouth University
A recent graduate in environmental science, Shane has spent the last two years assisting with the Peer Assisted Learning Scheme helping to put on study sessions for lower year students. He has spent the last four summers conducting projects at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences creating a mercury inventory, bridging science and cultural heritage investigating the local practice of shark oil barometers, and studying the accumulation of microplastic debris both on local beaches and in baitfish.
Shane applies his environmental passion to his wider local community volunteering for local clean-ups with Keep Bermuda Beautiful, I Am Water 'Kids on the Reef' program and giving presentations to Greenrock, the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo and a Race For Water seminar.
He has a key interest in biodiversity conservation, sustainable development and environmental communication.
Panellist: Maya Plass, Marine and Coastal Ecologist
A graduate of the BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology at Plymouth University, Maya Plass is director and founder of Learn to Sea, a marine education project based in south Devon.
Maya has appeared on natural history TV programmes (e.g. acting as guest presenter on BBC Autumnwatch) and more recently on BBC Coastal Path (September 2016) and even adverts. Maya is a regular columnist for Coast magazine and also writes for BBC Wildlife and Diver magazines. In 2013 she became an author of The RSPB Handbook of the Seashore (Bloomsbury, 2013).
Maya’s passion for marine conservation and campaigning had led her to raise money in sporting events and acting as patron for two charities: Sea-changers and MARINElife. She has also been awarded the accolade of a “top 10 wildlife tweeter” by BBC Wildlife magazine.
Panellist: Victoria Hurth, Associate Professor, Plymouth University
Victoria is an Associate Professor in Marketing and Sustainable Business at the University. Her research and consulting has been focused on how organisations and the economy can become a force for sustainable global wellbeing for over 15 years. She has a masters in Environment and Development from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal and is the regular op-ed writer for Croner’s ‘Environmental' magazine. Victoria has first-hand strategic and tactical experience of a range of organisations, having previously worked for Accenture with companies such as Marks and Spencer, Cancer Research, J Sainsbury and 3M. She has also worked for a local food waste charity and as a founding Director of the first social enterprise pub in Plymouth. Victoria has been closely engaged with a range of organisations on environmental issues such as The British Council, British Standards Institute and LEAD International. She is currently the Convenor of an International Standard (ISO37003) to create principles of Governance of Organisations.
Panellist: Duncan Tilney, Partner, Stephens Scown LLP
Duncan is a solicitor and partner at Stephen Scown, specialising in environmental and planning law.
Until the near collapse of the sector in 2015, Duncan advised renewable energy companies across the UK on the consenting of onshore and offshore renewable energy projects, principally wind. He also advises on contaminated land liability, invasive non-native species and Environmental Impact Assessments for infrastructure projects.
Panellist: Jackie Young, Sustainability Consultant, Urban Agenda SW
An Environmental Scientist, Jackie has over 30 years’ experience in the development and practical application of environmental and sustainability policies and strategies including Plymouth’s Local Agenda Plan and the city’s Climate Change, Environmental Management and Low Carbon policies. In 2004 she was part of the team helping to inform the national Sustainable Development Strategy and she has shared her experience with communities in France, Spain, Germany and Russia.
Jackie established the Plymouth Environment Forum, Low Carbon network and Climate Change Commission and is currently the co-ordinator of Environment Plymouth, Plymouth’s newest strategic sustainability network.
A Director of several local organisations, she established Urban Agenda SW in 2013 and is building up a successful portfolio of sustainable projects with local links in heritage, resource resilience, funding needs and community engagement.
