An article in the Guardian written by Rachel Hall and Patrick Greenfield expresses great concern at the appointment of Anant Ambani as the Professor of Sustainability at Newcastle University. According to the university the appointment has been made taking into consideration Anant Ambani’s work in conservation, biodiversity protection, animal welfare and environmental stewardship.
However Rachel and Patrick are quite outraged by the appointment. They say the appointment has been met with incredulity and derision from academic staff as well as Indian and international conservationists and environmentalists. They remind the readers that the Ambani family owns the biggest oil refinery in the world. They quote Professor Lyla Mehta head of climate, environmental and sustainability department of the university of Sussex. She says that as funding for universities fails there is a real danger that billionaires and corporate money begins to shape academia. However Sussex University too receives funds from big companies which can raise questions about corporate influence over research outcomes. Notable private sector partners of Sussex University are Pharmaceuticals & Biotech companies like AstraZeneca and Pfizer. There are Tech & Energy companies like Microsoft, BP, and EDF Energy. Unilever, the consumer goods giant also has ties with Sussex University. I wonder what Professor Lyla Mehta has to say about that.
Rachel and Patrick raise another concern that Anant Ambani’s Vantara sanctuary which is spread over 3,500 acres of land with 1,500 animals has been accused of bringing animals from other countries without proper procedures. However Cites, a UN body that regulates animal welfare, found no evidence of it. Rachel and Patrick also cast aspersions that the Ambani’s are close to PM Modi. That surely does not disqualify Anant Ambani from becoming a Professor of sustainability at the university of Newcastle. Regarding the university working with oil and gas lobbies this is nothing new. Newcastle University and Shell, the oil and gas company collaborate on multiple high-profile consortiums and research projects. It receives huge amounts of funds from Shell. So it looks like Rachel and Patrick and the Guardian are stirring up this controversy for reasons other than the concern for the environment.
Nitin Mehta
24 September 2026.
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