Revolution Plastics Institute (RPI) strengthens the relationship between academia, industry and policymakers in the fight against plastic pollution
The University of Portsmouth’s Revolution Plastics Institute (RPI) has appointed two of the UK’s most experienced plastics experts as Visiting Research Fellows, in a move designed to strengthen the relationship between academia, industry and policymakers in the fight against plastic pollution.
With nearly 50 years of plastic industry experience between them, Paul Davidson and Christina Dixon will join the Institute at a critical moment for global efforts to curb plastic waste and overproduction.
The appointments highlight RPI’s intention to keep producing evidence based research, which helps inform corporate practice, public policy and international negotiations.
We are at a pivotal moment as governments negotiate a global plastics treaty. Evidence, transparency and collaboration are essential if we are to shift away from endless growth in plastic production and towards a more just and sustainable system. I look forward to working with colleagues at Portsmouth to ensure research directly supports ambitious policy outcomes and meaningful change on the ground.
Christina Dixon, a UK-based international campaigner, works at the intersection of advocacy, corporate accountability and global policy to tackle some of the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges, from plastic pollution to ocean conservation. She leads the global plastics treaty campaign at the Environmental Investigation Agency, working with a multidisciplinary team who challenge plastic overproduction and consumption, the plastic waste trade and commercial whaling.
With nearly 15 years' experience driving change through policy and strategic communications, Chris has been closely involved in shaping the global debate around plastics governance.
Christina said: “The plastics crisis is not just an environmental issue, it’s a systemic challenge that touches climate, health, human rights and environmental justice.
“We are at a pivotal moment as governments negotiate a global plastics treaty. Evidence, transparency and collaboration are essential if we are to shift away from endless growth in plastic production and towards a more just and sustainable system. I look forward to working with colleagues at Portsmouth to ensure research directly supports ambitious policy outcomes and meaningful change on the ground.”
I’m excited about joining the RPI team, it will give me access to new ideas and new thinking, which is vital if we are to solve the problems we all face from plastic waste. Throughout my career, I’ve seen that progress happens when research, business and government work together rather than in isolation.
Paul Davidson, Director of No Time to Waste Ltd, brings more than three decades of experience working across the plastics value chain. He spent 10 years as Special Adviser to WRAP, where he worked with major retailers and multinational food and drinks manufacturers to increase the use of recycled plastics, helped deliver recycling infrastructure across the UK, and represented the UK government at the European Commission’s End-of-Waste negotiations for plastics. He was also seconded into DEFRA to provide plastics expertise for the 2008 packaging strategy.
More recently, he worked for six years at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) as Challenge Director for Smart Sustainable Plastics Packaging, helping to develop a new generation of advanced and sustainable plastic packaging aimed at dramatically reducing waste entering the environment.
Christina and Paul bring exceptional experience from the front lines of policy, campaigning and industry transformation. Their combined expertise strengthens our ability to connect cutting-edge research with the decisions being taken in boardrooms and negotiating rooms around the world.
Paul said: “I’m excited about joining the RPI team, it will give me access to new ideas and new thinking, which is vital if we are to solve the problems we all face from plastic waste.
“Throughout my career, I’ve seen that progress happens when research, business and government work together rather than in isolation. I’m looking forward to working with the Institute translate and combining our experience and knowledge to find solutions to the plastic waste crisis.”
Professor Steve Fletcher, Co-Director of the Revolution Plastics Institute, welcomed the appointments. He said: “Christina and Paul bring exceptional experience from the front lines of policy, campaigning and industry transformation. Their combined expertise strengthens our ability to connect cutting-edge research with the decisions being taken in boardrooms and negotiating rooms around the world.
“At the Revolution Plastics Institute, our mission is not just to study the plastics crisis but to help solve it. It is great to have Christina and Paul in the team.”
The Revolution Plastics Institute is a globally recognised research centre committed to tackling plastic pollution through science, policy and industry collaboration. By bringing in experts like Paul and Christina, the Institute strengthens its role as a leading force in addressing the world’s plastic crisis and driving impactful solutions for a sustainable future.
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