Clare Twigger-Ross

Clare is an environmental psychologist with over 10 years’ experience of social research on the environment.  She has been working for CEP since Sept 2002.   Since joining CEP Clare has been involved in a range of projects including: social impact assessment of major two proposed river crossings, supporting the development of guidance on community engagement, facilitation of sustainability appraisal workshops, provision of social appraisal and participation expertise for the development of sustainability appraisal guidance for local development frameworks, researching the social impacts of flooding and policy responses, the development and delivery of training on participation in strategic environmental assessment. She is an experienced social researcher, facilitator and project manager.  She is developing CEP’s work in participation and consultation, integrated and social appraisal, risk perception and communication and social research

Clare graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1988 with a MA Hons in psychology.  She studied for an MSc in Environmental Psychology at the University of Surrey followed by her  PhD which investigated psychological attachment to place and identity in the London Docklands.  After gaining her PhD in 1994 she worked as a postdoctoral research fellow on a European funded project examining “Policy Instruments for Environmental Regulation” at the University of Surrey and also taught and supervised MSc and PhD students.   In 1998 she joined the Environment Agency as their first social issues officer and was involved in both research and operational projects focussed on integrated appraisal, social aspects of sustainable development, stakeholder involvement in environmental regulation, and risk management.  She project managed a major Environment Agency R&D project on evaluating methods for public participation, and advised on a number of other R&D projects examining consultation and participation in flood defence, risk assessment, nuclear waste management and industrial processes.  Clare has previously written draft guidance on participation in licence application processes, examined good practice in public involvement in Environment Agency activities, and provided practical advice on the design and management of consultation processes for a wide range of projects and plans.