In this series we shine a light on some of the talented members of the LGBT+ community working or studying in climate change and environment.
Dr Robin Lamboll, research associate in climate science and policy at the Grantham Institute (they/he/she)
Being brought up on a small farm, I’ve always been surrounded by wildlife and understood the importance of sustainability.
Tell me a sentence about yourself.
I’m a physicist who likes words, poetry and baking.
What do you do (at Imperial)?
I mostly work as a data scientist on pollution emissions data although I occasionally make computational models of solar cells or of how the economy depends on our emissions.
What first made you care about climate change / environment?
Being brought up on a small farm, I’ve always been surrounded by wildlife and understood the importance of sustainability.
What is your pet environment peeve?
People not recycling their cans. The energy saved is huge!
What were you doing before you came to Imperial?
I worked as a mathematical consultant, writing code for whoever wants it. It’s not really that different to what I do now.
What is your favourite thing about working at Imperial?
The freedom to research things that matter.
What could be better about working at Imperial?
There is surprisingly little interdepartmental cross-pollination, even between departments with strong overlaps.
Tell us about an LGBT+ figure you admire (current or historical)?
Alan Turing – as well as drafting the architecture behind how computers work and fighting fascism with maths, he came up with a reaction-diffusion model for how animals get spots and stripes that turns out to explain how hair follicles form!
Follow Robin on Twitter: @RobinLamboll
For more information about the LGBT+ community at Imperial see Imperial600, the LGBT+ staff network and IQ, LGBT+ student society. See past and future events run by Imperial600.
News story
Climate and environment researchers talk about their LGBT+ heroes
Discover more about LGBT+ History Month, find out why pronouns are important and read more Q&As in this news article.
Upcoming events
Imperial 600 & Women@Imperial Week | Featuring Inspiring LGBT Women
9 March, 12:00-13:00, online
Imperial 600 is supporting the broader International Women’s Day (IWD) programming happening across Imperial College London in March 2021, and we’re very pleased to host Michelle Raymond, a senior leader at MyGWork a global networking hub and job board for LGBT+ professionals and graduates.
Additionally, Michelle is an accomplished musician who’s played with some of the biggest names in music today.
LGBT History Month edit-a-thon
26 February, 14:00-16:30, online
Wikipedia – the world’s largest online encyclopedia – overwhelmingly recognises the achievements of white men.
This event is your chance to help change that by learning how to become a Wikipedia author and editor then putting that knowledge into practice straight away to start chronicling the achievements of LGBTQ+ people on this online platform.
