A MAJOR new research department at the University of York has appointed a director.

Professor Sue Hartley is now the professor in environmental research and founding director of the York Environmental Sustainability Institute (YESI).

The new department is made up of more than 60 researchers from different aspects of science, law and economics, and aims to help environmental sustainability.

Professor Hartley will take up her new position in November, and is currently Professor of Ecology at the University of Sussex.

She said: “YESI is an exciting and timely initiative and I’m thrilled to be its founding director.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to foster links between academics from such a broad range of disciplines and help turn outstanding science into effective and improved policies for environmental sustainability.”