Eluned Parrott

Eluned Parrott

I’m delighted to rejoin the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales as it sets its focus towards some of our society’s greatest challenges. Growing up in a campaigning family under the shadow of the Cold War, I was always aware of each generation’s responsibility to bequeath a living world to the next. In my life, I’ve seen environmentalism move from being the marginalised concern of left–field campaigners, to being the focus of international treaties. To me, that progress is proof that we can make change in the World, but clearly there’s a long road ahead. My career has taken me on a long and winding journey. Having studied Music in university intending to become a teacher, I went on to become a science communicator, a charity marketing professional, a research engagement leader and a politician. I am now Head of Wales for the Institute of Physics, Chair of the Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Services, and a Trustee of the National Botanic Garden of Wales. It’s a path of great variety, but there has always been one goal: finding a place where I can make a difference. I’ll be working with Eurgain Powell in leading our second year project – looking at how we can mitigate the impact of flooding on the communities of Wales. As our climate changes and we experience more extreme weather events, it is crucial that we understand the level of risk we face and the steps we need to take to prevent natural events becoming human disasters. Outside work, you’ll find me travelling with my family, studying for my MSc in Psychology, or knitting something of little use and less beauty.