UNESCO Chairs

Source: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/research/unesco-chairs/ Parent: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/research/

In June 2025, Loughborough University was awarded its third UNESCO Chair. We now hold more UNESCO Chairs than any other UK university.

We acknowledge the huge honour and responsibility hosting these Chairs confers – and we’re fully committed to continuing our work in tackling the most pressing contemporary global challenges.

Launched in 1992, the UNESCO Chairs promote international cooperation, fostering collaborative research partnerships and networks that address urgent global challenges and advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

The work of all three of the University’s Chairs aligns with our Strategic Themes – advancing research and interventions across Vibrant and inclusive communities, Sport, health and wellbeing, and Climate change and net zero.

Our UNESCO Chairs

[### Sport, Physical Activity and Education for Development

Our first UNESCO Chair – launched in 2022 and led by Professor Richard Giulianotti – works with UNESCO and a range of stakeholders to develop activities, programmes and strategies that benefit young people and their communities.](https://www.lboro.ac.uk/schools/sport-exercise-health-sciences/unesco-chair/)

[### Informatics and Multi-hazard Risk Reduction

Established in 2022 and led by Professor Qiuhua Liang, this Chair harnesses cutting-edge high-performance computing and AI-driven data analytics to tackle complex, interacting risks – such as flooding and landslides caused by torrential rainfall.](https://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/abce/unesco-chair/)

[### Storytelling Education for Sustainability

Our newest Chair – led by Professor Mike Wilson – is already developing a range of initiatives that will use storytelling to enable public dialogue about the environment, education and health – giving a platform to often ignored communities.](https://www.lboro.ac.uk/schools/design-creative-arts/unesco-chair/)