Claire Downey - Policy and Research Director, The Rediscovery Centre

Claire is responsible for leading the research team on providing an evidence base for policy development and supporting circular living models within Ireland and internationally. She is also responsible for leading the education team in delivering excellence in circular economy education within the formal education sector and driving curriculum change.

With an honours degree in chemical engineering and over 20 years of experience in the sector, she has delivered multiple national and international circular economy research projects.

Claire sits on the National Waste Advisory Group, the National Textiles Advisory Group, the European Circular Economy Stakeholder NetworkPlatform, RREUSE network and Right to Repair campaigns. She is a fellow with the Chartered Institute of Waste Management and a board member of Green Foundation Ireland.

In her spare time, Claire volunteers at repair cafes, explores wild places with her two children and attempts to grow food from seed.