#ExpertProfile

Melanie Border

Member of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council

Home       >       Expert Network       >       Accredited Experts

Melanie Border is an expert on UNESCO Global Geoparks, sitting on the inaugural UNESCO Global Geoparks Council and working as an active member of the Global Geopark Network Executive Board.

With its status as an area of globally recognised, unique geological interest, the English Riviera is a stretch of coastal towns in Southern Devon home to a vast array of fantastic landscapes, mountains, coastlines, places and people. Whether you want to explore historical caverns, hidden coves, ancient fossils or the underwater world, this UNESCO Geopark has something to offer.

Reflecting the grassroots nature of Geoparks themselves, Melanie has built upon both her experience as a single parent of two, living on benefits in the nineties, and her fascination with the natural world, by studying as a mature Geology student. As Coordinator of the Geopark, she now brings her vast experience to her home borough of Torbay by working to protect and promote its natural beauty.

After subsequent roles in conservation, education and community engagement with local conservation charity, Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Melanie became involved with Geopark work in her hometown of Torquay in 2006. From that point her, focus, pragmatism and natural diplomacy led her to be elected as Chair the UK Committee for UNESCO Global Geoparks (2012 to 2017) whist also sitting on the Advisory Committee of the European Geoparks Network.

She has worked incredibly closely with the UK National Commission for UNESCO and played a fundamental role as a member of the multi-national Geopark working group, collaborating directly with Member States on the development of the Geopark arm of International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme, introduced in Nov 2015. In 2016 she became an elected member of the Global Geopark Network Executive Board and took up a four-year term as a member of the first UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, this being a testament to her dedication and passion for her work.

#Institution

English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark
Coordinator

SINCE 2007

#Alma-Matter

Open University

Milton Keynes

#Role at UNESCO

Member of the UNESCO Global Geopark Council and the Global Geopark Network Executive Board

SINCE 2016

QUOTE

“The variety of work carried out by some of our Associate Partners demonstrates how naturally inspiring Torbay is and how UNESCO Global Geoparks are not just about rocks. Each of our core and associate partners raise awareness of the unique landscape we live in their own special way whether it be through art, physical activity, learning or relaxation.”

Melanie Border, Speaking on the announcement of 14 new Associate Partners for the English Riviera Geopark.

Our accredited experts are selected to advise the UK National Commission for UNESCO on policy matters related to UNESCO.

ROLE AT UNESCO

Melanie Border represents the English Riviera at European Geoparks Network Coordination Committee level and is a member of the Global Geopark Network Executive Board and the UNESCO Global Geopark Council.

Institutions

UNESCO/Torbay Council
Coordinator, English Riviera Global Geopark Management Team

FROM 2013 – NOW

UNESCO
English Riviera Global Geopark Team

FROM 2006 – 2013

Torbay Coast and Conservation Trust
Project Management and Environmental Education

FROM 2000 – 2006

Role at UNESCO

Member of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council (2016) and Coordinator for English Riviera Global Geopark

SINCE 2007

COMMISSION

The English Riviera, UNESCO Global Geopark

ESTABLISHED 2007 – TORBAY, ENGLAND

UNESCO Global Geoparks are single geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed. Coordinators use an holistic approach, working to protect and educate sustainably through a unified conservation effort with local communities. The English Riviera is a stretch of coastal towns in South West Devon, with many geological and biological areas of interest.

Publications

SELECTED PUBLISHED WORK

Read about some of Melanie’s work throughout the English Riviera, as well as team projects and partnerships.

LATEST

INTERNATIONAL DAY International Migrants Day 18.12 Home  →  What's On  →  Events  →   International Days   →   December 18 We celebrate the International Migrants Day on December 18. READ MORE BELOW MIGRANTS DAY Photo credit, from top to bottom: Nicola Fioravanti, UNESCO Migration is a global phenomenon driven by many forces. These start with aspirations for…
Read More
INTERNATIONAL DAY International Day of Persons with Disabilities 03.12 Home  →  What's On  →  Events  →   International Days   →   December 3 We celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3. READ MORE BELOW DAY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Photo credit, from top to bottom: Nathan Anderson, Arisa Chattasa. The annual observance of the…
Read More
INTERNATIONAL DAY International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People 29.11 Home  →  What's On  →  Events  →   International Days   →   November 29 We celebrate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on November 29. READ MORE BELOW SOLIDARITY WITH THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE Photo credit, from top to bottom: Ahmed Abu Hameeda, Cole-Keister.…
Read More
INTERNATIONAL DAY International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 25.11 Home  →  What's On  →  Events  →   International Days   →   November 25 We celebrate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25. READ MORE BELOW END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN Photo credit, from top to bottom: United Nations, Karl…
Read More

QUOTE

“We are very proud of our incredible local geology and rich cultural heritage and encourage visitors to explore this fascinating area.”

English Riviera Website, Explaining the need to increase tourism sustainably.

RELATED EXPERTS

Meet the UK National Commission for UNESCO Accredited Experts

#Sustainability #Geology

RELATED CHAIRS

Read more about our related Chairs in Ecology and Environmental Science.

FULL LIST

A global network of universities that carry out research to address pressing challenges and contribute.

*by alphabetical order

Our advisors are experts in their field who provide advice to the UK National Commission for UNESCO by reviewing applications for UNESCO designations, prizes and patronage, and contribute to other aspects of our work.

🔮   Explore our #Advisor network     
Professor Matthew Cragoe     

#Man&Biosphere #Science

Melanie Board     

#GlobalGeoparks #Science

Dr Kirstin Lemon     

#GlobalGeoparks #Science

Sandeep Mahal     

#CreativeCity #Communication

David Wilson     

#CreativeCity #Communication

Rachel Hosker     

#MemoryoftheWorld #Culture

Chris Blandford     

#WorldHeritage #Culture

Tony Crouch     

#WorldHeritage #Culture

Leiutenant Colonal Tim Purbrick     

#BlueShield #CulturalProtection

All our accredited experts are selected to advise the UK National Commission for UNESCO on policy matters related to UNESCO. They are approved by HM government to represent the UK in UNESCO committees, commissions and programmes.

🎓   Meet our #AccreditedExpert     
Professor Alan Jenkins     

#IHP #Science

Professor Ivor Gaber     

#IPDC #Communication

Professor Harry Dixon     

#IHP #Science

Professor Edward Hill     

#IOC #Science

Mr Alan Evans     

#IOC #Science

Professor Sheila McLean     

#Bioethics #Social&HumanScience

Professor Lucy Blue     

#UnderwaterCulteralHeritage #Culture

Professor Samar Hasnain     

#SESAME #Science

Professor Adrian Weller     

#AI #TuringCenter #Science

UNESCO Chairs are based within Institutes for Higher Education and specialise in specific research fields. They provide policy advice to the UK National Commission for UNESCO and HM government, as well as reviewing UNESCO applications.

🪑   Explore our #Chairs network     
Chair in Geoscience and Society at the University of Plymouth
Chair in Media Freedom, Journalism Safety and the Issue of Impunity at the University of Sheffield
Chair on Analytics and Data Science at the University of Essex
Chair in Adult Literacy and Learning for Social Transformation at University of East Anglia
Chair on Artificial Intelligence at University College of London
Chair on Responsible Foresight for Sustainable Development at the University of Lincoln
Chair in Inclusive and Quality Education for All at the University of Bristol
Chair in New Media Forms of the Book at the University of Bedfordshire
Chair in Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts at the University of Glasgow
Chair in Water Science at the University of Birmingham
Chair in Cultural Property Protection and Peace at Newcastle University
UNITWIN Network in Global Pharmacy Education Development at the School of Pharmacy, University College London
Chair in the Development of a Sustainable Geoenvironment at Cardiff University
Chair in Globalising a Shared Education Model for Improving Relations in Divided Societies at Queens University Belfast
Chair in Higher Education Management at the University of Bath
Chair in Archaeological Ethics and Practice in Cultural Heritage at Durham University
Chair in Sustainable Mountain Development at the University of the Highlands and Islands
Chair in Gender Research at University of London
Chair in ICT for Development at Royal Holloway, University of London
Chair in Education for Pluralism, Human Rights and Democracy at Ulster University
Chair in Informal Digital Learning in Disadvantaged and Development Contexts at the University of Wolverhampton
UNITWIN Network in Ecohydrological Interfaces Under Change at the University of Birmingham

Liaising with the UK’ Permanent Delegation to UNESCO and approved by HM government, our Non-Executive Directors help steer the direction of the UK National Commission for UNESCO, and are each responsible for overseeing a particular field of UNESCO’s work in the UK.

🧭   Meet our #NonExecutiveDirectors     
Professor Colin McInnes     

#Chair #HumanSciences

Helen Maclagan OBE     

#Vice-Chair #Culture

Karen Merkel     

#Communication&Information

Professor David Drewry     

#NaturalSciences

Professor Anne Anderson OBE     

#HigherEducation

Joseph Nhan-O'Reilly     

#Education

JOIN THE NETWORK

Are you interested in becoming a UNESCO UK Expert? Find out more below

   Join our #ExpertNetwork        

EXPLORE FURTHER

Our ? Accredited Experts are one of four pillars that form the structure for our ?️ Expert Network. Meet our ? Chairs, our ? Advisors, and our ? Non-Executive Directors

click on the links above

PREVIOUS

Professor Alan Jenkins

#Science #Water

   Visit #ExpertProfile        

NEXT

Matthew Cragoe

#Biosphere #Sustainability

   Visit #ExpertProfile