Dr Paul Merchant is an Associate Professor in Latin American Film and Visual Culture in the School of Modern Languages and has been Co-Director of the Centre for Environmental Humanities since 2021. His research explores how art and culture can generate new ways of thinking about the environment and contribute to addressing environmental challenges. He is currently finishing a book about art and the Pacific Ocean in Chile and Peru, to be published in 2027 by University of Florida Press.
Paul has extensive experience in interdisciplinary collaborations, working with scientists, artists and community groups in the UK and internationally. He has received funding for this work from NERC, AHRC, and the British Academy.
Paul succeeds Professor Guy Howard, who has led the Institute since July 2021 and will end his tenure on 30 Sept 2026. During his time as Director, Guy led the development and delivery of the Institute 2023 -2026 strategy, overseeing growth in interdisciplinary environmental research in areas such as climate change and health and supporting the research community to raise the profile and increase the impact of interdisciplinary environmental research at Bristol.
Professor Guy Howard said ‘“I am very proud of what we have achieved as an Institute over the past five years. We have supported excellent new inter-disciplinary research and supported our academics to increase the impact of their research. It is fantastic to be welcoming Paul as the new Director in September. Paul has been a very active member of the Cabot community and will bring a wealth of experience to lead the Institute through an exciting new chapter ahead”.
Paul said, 'I am delighted to be the next Director of the Cabot Institute. We have a remarkable community of environmental researchers who are doing innovative and exciting work. I look forward to learning from our community and to working together to make Cabot the best possible champion for environmental research at Bristol'.