Dr Greg Borne

Qualifications

Year	Qualification	Awarding body
2013	Post Graduate Certificate of Academic Performance	Plymouth University
2006	PhD Sustainable Development	Plymouth University
2001	MSc Research Methods	Plymouth University
2000	BSc (Hons) Sustainable Development	Open University

Research interests and expertise

My research explores the governance of sustainable development, examining how global sustainability agendas are interpreted and translated into policy and practice through governance, collaboration and place-based approaches. Since beginning my doctoral research in 2002, I have developed an interdisciplinary programme of research spanning sustainable development, local governance, environmental management and community resilience, with particular interests in the role of local institutions in responding to complex environmental, social and economic challenges.

My work combines theoretical and applied research, working collaboratively with governments, businesses, environmental organisations and communities to generate research that informs policy and professional practice. Current areas of research include sustainable development, governance, community resilience, natural capital, ecosystem services, surfing and sustainability, coastal governance, and the evolving role of the United Nations in shaping international sustainable development discourse.

I welcome applications from prospective doctoral researchers with interests in sustainable development, governance, local government and parish councils, community resilience, environmental management, coastal sustainability, surfing and sustainability, collaborative governance and place-based development.

Research topics

My research focuses on the governance of sustainable development, with particular interests in local governance, place-based development, community resilience and environmental management. Through interdisciplinary research, I explore how sustainability is interpreted and implemented across different governance contexts, from local communities and public policy to international sustainable development agendas. Current research themes include natural capital, ecosystem services, coastal sustainability, surfing and sustainability, climate adaptation, collaborative governance and the role of the United Nations in shaping sustainable development discourse

Publications and research outputs

Books

• Borne, G. (2028, in press). The reflexive age of sustainable development: Governance, technology, and imagination in the risk society. Routledge.
• Borne, G. (2026). Sustainable development and local government in the UK: Engaging the local to achieve the global. Routledge.
• Borne, G., & Ponting, J. (Eds.). (2020). Sustainable Stoke: Transitioning to sustainability in the surfing world (2nd ed.). Plymouth University Press.
• Borne, G. (2018). Surfing and sustainability. Routledge.
• Borne, G., & Ponting, J. (Eds.). (2017). Sustainability and surfing. Routledge.
• Borne, G. (2010). A framework for sustainable global development and the effective governance of risk. Edwin Mellen Press.

 

Book Sections

• Walmsley, A., & Borne, G. (2026). Sustainable tourism in Cornwall: An application of the tourism entrepreneurial ecosystem. In D. Chowdhury, C. Mansfield, & J. Potočnik Topler (Eds.), Sustainable narratives and technologies in tourism (pp. 327–339). Routledge.
• Borne, G., & Clarke, D. (2018). Catalysing transitions through the informational governance of climate change advocacy: Using Web 2.0 in the surfing world. In P. Heidkamp & J. Morrissey (Eds.), Towards coastal resilience and sustainability. Routledge.
• Borne, G. (2017). Sustainability and surfing in a risk society. In G. Borne & J. Ponting (Eds.), Sustainability and surfing (pp. 3–20). Routledge.
• Borne, G. (2017). Sustainability surfing: Themes and Surfing. In G. Borne & J. Ponting (Eds.), Sustainability and surfing. Routledge.
• Borne, G. (2015). Surfing and sustainable development. In G. Borne & J. Ponting (Eds.), Sustainable Stoke: Transitions to sustainability in the surfing world (pp. 8–18). Plymouth University Press.
• Borne, G., & Ponting, J. (2015). Sustainable Stoke: Introduction. In G. Borne & J. Ponting (Eds.), Sustainable Stoke: Transitions to sustainability in the surfing world (pp. 1–8). Plymouth University Press.
• Borne, G., & Ponting, J. (2015). Ebb and flow: A rising tide lifts all boats. In G. Borne & J. Ponting (Eds.), Sustainable Stoke: Transitions to sustainability in the surfing world (pp. 286–289). Plymouth University Press.

 

 

Journal Articles

• Major-Smith, K., Borne, G., Wallis, L., Major-Smith, D., & Cotton, D. (2026). Impact of a default nudge intervention on plant-based milk consumption in a UK university café. Global Environmental Psychology.
• Major-Smith, K., Borne, G., Wallis, L., & Cotton, D. (2026). Still niche? Stakeholder perspectives on growing the plant-based meat and plant-based dairy industries. Cleaner Food Systems.
• Borne, G. (2023). Sustainable transitions in the surfing sector: The role of risk and branding. Journal of Business Strategy and Development.
• Borne, G. (2018). Riding the sustainable wave. The Environmental Scientist, 27(4), 53–57.
• Borne, G., Shand, R., Higman, R., & Howell, K. (2013). Solutions for the Big Society inworking with environmental NGOs in the UK. Journal of US-China Public Administration, 10(3), 268–279.
• Borne, G. (2013). Exploring discourses of sustainable development: A flexible framework. Methodological Innovations, 8(2), 90–106.
• Borne, G. (2013). Sustainable development and the Olympic Games: Synergies and connections. Sociological Research Online, 18(1).
• Borne, G. (2013). Review of Foresight in action: Developing policy-oriented scenarios (M. B. A. van Asselt, S. van 't Klooster, P. van Notten, & L. A. Smits). Health, Risk & Society, 15(8), 718–719.
• Borne, G. (2010). Sustainable development representing a reflexive modernity inside the United Nations. Journal of Global Analysis, 1(1), 28–50. (Special Issue: International Political Economy).
• Borne, G. (2010). Promoting sustainable communities: Education and training final report. Promoting Sustainable Communities, 2(1).
• Borne, G. (2009). Widening participation in the British public sector: Responding to the sustainable development agenda. Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning, 11(12), 43–46.
• Borne, G. (2009). Achieving sustainable lifestyles or encouraging a counter-reflexivity: Exploring motivations for sustainability in a mediated risk society. Local Environment, 14(1), 93–107.
• Borne, G. (2009). Sustainable development and the Olympic Games. Sociological Research Online, 18(3).

 

Journal Articles Under Review

• Borne, G. (2026). The case for sustainable development and the surfer's paradox: Breaking through counter-reflexivity. Manuscript under review at Sustainability Science.
• Borne, G., Beaumont, K., & Walmsley, A. (2026). Beyond surfonomics: Towards a conceptual model of sustainable development, ecosystem services and positional analysis in the valuation of waves. Manuscript under review at Sustainable Futures.

 

Encyclopaedia Entries

• Borne, G. (2010). Agenda 21. In G. Kurian, P. Robbins, & D. Forsyth (Eds.), Encyclopedia of green politics. Sage.
• Borne, G. (2010). Globalization. In G. Kurian, P. Robbins, & D. Forsyth (Eds.), Encyclopedia of green politics. Sage.
• Borne, G. (2010). Risk society. In G. Kurian, P. Robbins, & D. Forsyth (Eds.), Encyclopedia of green politics. Sage.
• Borne, G. (2010). Sustainable development. In G. Kurian, P. Robbins, & D. Forsyth (Eds.), Encyclopedia of green politics. Sage.
• Borne, G. (2010). Uncertainty. In G. Kurian, P. Robbins, & D. Forsyth (Eds.), Encyclopedia of green politics. Sage.

Current research students

I currently supervise doctoral researchers whose projects explore a range of interdisciplinary themes within sustainable development, governance and regional development. Current research includes surfing and sustainability, the contribution of Cornwall National Landscapes to place-based development and environmental governance, and the role of business incubators in supporting entrepreneurship, innovation and regional economic resilience.

Previous student supervision

I have supervised doctoral projects across a diverse range of interdisciplinary research topics. This has included sustainable food systems, nature connectedness, sustainable development, environmental governance and business innovation, reflecting a broad interest in sustainability, organisations and society.

Number of research students supervised to completion

5

Research degrees examined

3 PhD

Multiple Masters

CPD delivered

Alongside my undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, I contribute to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and executive education through the design and delivery of short courses for professionals and organisations. Current provision focuses on sustainability leadership, organisational change and supporting businesses to embed sustainable practices, helping participants develop practical strategies for creating more resilient and sustainable organisations.

Engagement with organisations which contribute to the development of educational, cultural or socio-economic policies in Cornwall

I contribute to organisations supporting environmental, community and socio-economic development across Cornwall. I have served as a Trustee of the Cornwall National Landscapes Trust and currently serve as a Trustee of the Cornwall Community Flood Forum. As partnership lead, I established the first formal partnership between Falmouth University and Cornwall National Landscapes, creating opportunities for collaborative research, knowledge exchange and regional engagement. My wider work involves collaboration with local government, environmental organisations and regional partnerships to support sustainable development, environmental governance and place-based development.

Engagement with professional associations and societies

• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
• Institution of Environmental Sciences