University of Cumbria announces appointment of Richard Leafe as Professor of Practice

With more than three decades of experience in landscape management, conservation leadership and national park strategy, Richard brings a wealth of expertise to the university. From 2007 to 2024, he led the Lake District National Park Authority guiding it through significant policy development, international engagement as well as major strategic change. Prior to this, he served as the north west Regional Director for Natural England, following a career that began in 1990 with its predecessor bodies as a Coastal Geomorphologist.

A Geography graduate from the University of Sheffield, Richard continues his connection with the Lake District through his mountain-guiding business, Leafe Guiding. He will now share this practical knowledge with staff and students across a range of disciplines.

His appointment marks a major step forward in enhancing the university’s ability to prepare the next generation of environmental professionals with insight grounded in lived experience and leadership.

In his role at the university, Richard will contribute to shaping the development and future direction of the CNPPA, helping to position it as a leading voice in national park scholarship and policy. His extensive networks across UK protected landscapes will strengthen the reach, while his familiarity with emerging international partnerships will enable the university to actively engage in global conversations, including China’s rapidly expanding national park programme and its efforts to meet 30 x 30 commitments (i.e. 30% of land protected for nature by 2030).

Richard will collaborate with academic colleagues to ensure that CNPPA research is both policy-relevant and politically influential. Drawing on his experience navigating complex challenges within the Lake District, he will support research outputs that speak directly to the needs of protected area managers and decision-makers.

Richard Leafe, Professor of Practice, said: “I’m delighted to be working with the University of Cumbria as a Professor of Practice. I look forward to sharing my experience of leading England’s largest national park, here in the lakes, with staff and students in various disciplines at the university. I particularly hope to help the Centre for National Parks and Protected Areas to inform its research and spread its influence across the UK and globally.”

Professor Robert A. Montgomery, Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange and the Centre for National Parks and Protected Areas, said: "We are exceptionally excited to welcome Richard Leafe as a Professor of Practice to the University of Cumbria. Richard will be using his experience from the Lake District National Park Authority to explore protected area policy locally, regionally, and internationally. This research-informed work will provide critical guidance to the expansion of national parks and protected area via the global 30 x 30 commitments.”