Durham Energy Institute welcomes Maggie Bosanquet and Ross Forbes as Professors in Practice

Both Maggie and Ross have longstanding relationships with Durham University and DEI and have made significant contributions to the North East throughout their careers. Their appointments will further strengthen DEI’s connections with policymakers, industry, the media and communities, helping to ensure that the Institute’s research and expertise have an impact far beyond academia.

A longstanding friend and partner of DEI

Maggie Bosanquet has been part of the DEI community for many years. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Durham University in 2022, served on the DEI Advisory Board for nearly a decade and has been a key partner in the Institute’s work with Durham County Council. Her move into the Professor in Practice role marks an exciting new chapter in this longstanding relationship.

Before retiring from Durham County Council in 2026, Maggie had spent three decades developing and leading the Council’s Low Carbon Economy – later Net Zero – Team. From 1995, she grew the service from a team of two to 25 staff and built a multi-million-pound programme to support the Council and its partners on their journey towards net zero.

Throughout her career, Maggie has played a leading role in establishing partnerships and networks including the County Durham Partnership Climate Emergency Strategic Board, the North East Energy Officers’ Group and the Durham and Tees Valley Net Zero Partnership. Her work has given her an extensive network of connections across local and regional government, the energy sector and other organisations, and she holds roles with bodies including Northern Powergrid and the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub.

In her new role, Maggie will focus particularly on partnership building and strengthening DEI’s position within regional government and industry networks. She will also support staff, students and researchers through mentoring and advice on energy policy and practice, research impact, government engagement and funding strategies, as well as contributing to DEI seminars, workshops and panel discussions.

Maggie said:

“I am delighted to be joining Durham Energy Institute as a Professor in Practice. Having worked with DEI for many years, including through the Advisory Board and collaborations between the Institute and Durham County Council, I have seen first-hand the value of bringing academic expertise together with policymakers, practitioners, industry and communities.

“I look forward to building on those relationships and helping to create new connections and opportunities that will support DEI’s research and its contribution to the region’s transition to a more sustainable and resilient energy future.”

Bringing communications and public affairs expertise to DEI

Ross Forbes joins DEI following many years as a champion and supporter of both Durham University and the Institute. An alumnus of Durham University Business School, where he completed an MA in Strategic Human Resource Management in 2004, Ross was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science by Durham University in July 2026.

Ross brings extensive experience in communications, media and public affairs. His career has spanned regional journalism, press and research work for the Durham Miners Association during the 1984–85 miners’ strike, senior communications roles in local government and the NHS, and corporate communications roles with Siemens at both UK and international level.

Since 2016, as Programme Director for the Durham Miners Association, Ross has led the communications and public affairs strategy for the Redhills project, helping to raise the profile of Durham Miners’ Hall to national and international significance.

With a wide network of media, political and public affairs contacts, Ross also brings particular expertise in communicating complex energy and environmental issues to non-specialist audiences.

As Professor in Practice, Ross will provide strategic communications and public affairs advice to DEI, supporting the Institute in raising its profile regionally, nationally and internationally. He will help strengthen relationships with the media and political stakeholders, showcase the expertise of DEI’s researchers and Fellows, and support the development of the Institute’s communications and podcast activities.

Ross said:

“It is a great privilege to join Durham Energy Institute as a Professor in Practice. I have been fortunate to work with and support DEI over a number of years and have always been impressed by the breadth, quality and real-world relevance of its research.

“Energy is one of the defining issues of our time, but the challenges and opportunities involved can often be complex. I am looking forward to helping DEI communicate its expertise to wider audiences, build new relationships and ensure that the important work taking place across the Institute reaches the people, organisations and communities who can benefit from it.”

Connecting research with practice

Welcoming the appointments, Professor Simone Abram, Executive Director of Durham Energy Institute, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Maggie and Ross as Professors in Practice. Both are longstanding friends and supporters of DEI and bring an extraordinary depth of experience, knowledge and connections to the Institute.

“Maggie’s leadership and expertise in net zero policy and practice, together with her extensive regional and national networks, will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen DEI’s partnerships and the impact of our research.

“Ross brings a wealth of communications and public affairs experience and a deep understanding of the North East, its people and its communities. His expertise will help us tell the story of DEI and our research more effectively and engage with new audiences.

“Professors in Practice play an important role in connecting the University’s academic expertise with knowledge and experience from beyond academia. We are very much looking forward to working with Maggie and Ross in their new roles.”

The appointments reflect DEI’s commitment to bringing together researchers, policymakers, industry, practitioners and communities to address some of the most pressing energy challenges facing society.

Through their complementary expertise, Maggie and Ross will help DEI build influential partnerships, strengthen engagement with policymakers and communities, and ensure that the Institute’s research, expertise and impact are shared with audiences across the North East and beyond.