Submitted by Grainne Kennedy on Fri, 2016-05-27 16:13
Gráinne Kennedy is the new Environmental Coordinator in the Environment & Energy Section. Here we give her our ‘60 second interview’ to find out more about her!
1. Name: Gráinne (pronounced Grawn-ya) Kennedy
2. Position: Environmental Coordinator
3. What does this position entail? I support the Environmental Officer in implementing an Environmental Management System, deliver a range of communications and engagement activities to raise awareness and promote pro-environmental behaviours, and manage the Environment and Energy Coordinator Network. My role also includes working with the Travel Plan Manager to implement the Travel Plan.
4. What is your (education/qualifications) background and how did you get here? I have a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Limerick, I moved to Belfast to complete my masters in Environmental Engineering in 2009, and since then I have worked in both Ireland and the UK promoting sustainability in businesses.
5. What were you doing before joining the Environment and Energy Section? I worked as a programme manager for the Crichton Carbon Centre, an environmental charity that works to move Scotland to a low carbon society.
6. What is your proudest professional achievement? My biggest achievement was the work I did working with Scottish SMEs of all kinds to reduce their carbon footprint and energy costs.
7. What are you most looking forward to getting your teeth into in the coming year? I am really looking forward to working with the Environment and Energy Coordinators network and seeing what ideas we can come up with together to make the University of Cambridge more energy and resource efficient.
8. What gets you out of bed (and into work) in the morning? Caring about the environment has always added to my life not taken away from it but I know a lot of people don’t feel that way. Working with people and seeing it dawn on them how much better life will be when lived sustainably is one of the things I get the greatest kick out of.
9. What is your environment and energy pet hate? I know it isn’t the biggest issue in the grand scheme of things but littering really drives me crazy! It only takes a few crisp packets make an area look rundown.
10. What is your favourite green gadget? A little timer for the shower that you can stick on the bathroom wall. It saves time and money, what more could you want?
13. What do you think is the biggest environmental challenge? The biggest environmental challenge I think is that we need to empower people. Often when people hear of these challenges we face like climate change or loss of biodiversity they switch off because they feel powerless. We need people to feel that they have some power to make an impact, or otherwise the action that is needed will not be taken.
14. Tell us one little known fact about yourself. I throw excellent Eurovision parties!
15. Who is your inspirational figure (real or fictional)? Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland, is my hero. As a political campaigner and president she brought about great change in Ireland, she worked as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and now - when she could be enjoying her retirement - she is working to making people aware of how climate change is impacting the poorest people in our world.
16. Do you have any hobbies? I love to sing in choirs and I am hoping to start a dance class here too.
17. First impressions of Cambridge? Cambridge is beautiful, the people are very friendly and it is a lot warmer than Scotland!