How we work

The Smith School, led by our Director, Professor Gordon Clark, facilitates partnership between public and private enterprise, leading academic researchers, public policy makers and organisations serving civil society. By  partnering with the Smith School businesses and governments benefit from a broad spectrum of expertise to inform decisions that address sustainability challenges, improve long-term business objectives.

Partners from the private sector benefit from our broad expertise, helping them to make business decisions that both address the sustainability challenge and improve company prospects long term.  The Smith School works with enterprise to develop solutions informed by excellent rigorous academic research thereby enabling the conversion of the challenges around the many interconnected and interdependent challenges that businesses are faced with around resource management into opportunities for businesses in the future.   Find out more about becoming a partner here.

Local and national governing bodies, and global organisations such as the UN, the IPCC, the European Union and the Government of Rwanda are already benefiting from our advice in making local, national, multilateral and global decisions.

Smith School Researchers are tackling critical global issues including climate change, energy supply and water shortage, mobility, biodiversity, and the fundamental transition to more sustainable behaviour. We are advancing the role of enterprise in seeking low-carbon futures for all countries, promoting positive action from business and government leaders to address the challenge of sustainable development. Find more about the Research Centres here.

Smith School Associates include more than 60 professors and other experts from across Oxford University and the wider academic community. Our association with these colleagues is our bedrock.  Becoming a Smith School Associate gives the opportunity to see your research translated to make an impact with public enterprise and governments.

Visiting Fellows come from their parent organisation (University, Business or Government) to utilise and contribute to the Smith School’s hub of experts, enabling and participating in interdisciplinary review and debate. They forge collaborations and networks enabled by the School to provide and channel excellent research, making a real and positive impact in the world. Find out more about becoming a Smith School Visiting Fellow here.

Philanthropists involved with the Smith School are investing in a unique initiative which will have a direct impact on sustainable development globally. With us, they will provide a fresh approach to research and teaching and help create a new community of cross-sector thinkers.

Please contact us to find out more about working with the Smith School to make a positive impact on the environmental challenges facing our planet.