The appointment means Loughborough now holds more UNESCO Chairs than any other UK university, with three now based at the campus.
Established in 1992, the Chairs programme connects higher education institutions worldwide with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The Chairs also provide expert insight to help shape UNESCO’s strategy and global policy development.
Professor Wilson’s work as Chair will focus on environmental and health sustainability across Africa, India and the Arctic nations, using storytelling as a tool to engage the public in these important issues. He will collaborate with researchers from across the University, drawing on expertise from Loughborough’s Storytelling Academy.
His appointment is a unique opportunity to raise the profile of Applied Storytelling on the international stage, recognising the growing importance of storytelling as a tool to help the public take part in conversations about some of the world’s biggest challenges.
Speaking about the role, Professor Wilson said: “The UNESCO Chair is a hugely exciting opportunity for us to build on our previous work in Applied Storytelling across the globe and to take it to the next level. Working with UNESCO, and alongside a broad range of international partners, is both a great privilege and a chance to deliver projects with real impact on global policy and positive change for communities at the sharp end of today’s environmental, health and educational challenges.”
James Bridge, Chief Executive and Secretary-General of the UK National Commission for UNESCO, added: “As the progress towards attaining the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals becomes ever more important, presenting narratives that communicate sustainability concepts in relatable and engaging ways that inform, engage and influence all of society – from policymakers to the general public – is vital.
“The establishment of the UNESCO Chair on Storytelling Education for Sustainability at Loughborough University will be an asset for both the United Kingdom and UNESCO globally in this respect, and we look forward to working with Professor Mike Wilson and the rest of the Chair team to bring their expertise to help convey complex information and inspire action.”
To mark the appointment and celebrate Loughborough’s ongoing engagement with UNESCO, the University will host a UNESCO Day on 2 July. The event will include the official launch of the new Chair and feature contributions from Professor Wilson, current UNESCO Chairs Professors Qiuhua Liang and Richard Giulianotti, UNESCO representatives, and invited guests.
Loughborough Professor becomes UNESCO’s first-ever Chair in Storytelling
Professor Mike Wilson (centre) is pictured with colleagues Dr Rob Harland and Dr Catherine Rees
Loughborough University’s Professor Mike Wilson has been appointed as UNESCO’s first ever Chair in Storytelling Education for Sustainability.
Notes for editors
Press release reference number: PR 25/88
About Loughborough University
Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme and named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2025 QS World University Rankings – the ninth year running.
Loughborough is ranked 6th in The UK Complete University Guide 2025, 10th in the Guardian University League Table 2025 and 10th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
Loughborough was also named University of the Year for Sport in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 - the fourth time it has been awarded the prestigious title.
Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’, and in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 over 90% of its research was rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally-excellent’. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.
About the UK National Commission for UNESCO
The UK National Commission for UNESCO (UKNC) is a constitutional part of the UK's membership of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). UNESCO harnesses the power of education, culture, science, communication and information to advance global peace, sustainable development, intercultural dialogue, and poverty eradication.
An independent body, UKNC is funded by the UK Government primarily to bring the benefits of UNESCO programmes and international agreements to the UK government, academic community and broader civil society. It also ensures that these elements fully contribute to, and shape, UNESCO’s global aims and activities.
About UNESCO
With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information.
Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 54 countries and employs over 2300 people. UNESCO oversees more than 2,000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and over 13,000 Associated Schools, University Chairs, training and research institutions.
"Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed" - UNESCO Constitution, 1945.