The International Greenwich Olympiad (IGO) is a force for global change, inspiring young minds to tackle the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. To realize our vision, we rely on the expertise and dedication of our distinguished Advisory Board.
Comprised of environmental leaders, scientists, educators, and innovators from across the globe, the Advisory Board provides invaluable guidance on the IGO’s strategic direction, competition design, and educational outreach programs. Their combined knowledge and experience ensure the IGO remains at the forefront of sustainability education, empowering the next generation of environmental stewards.
Meet our advisory board
Dr. John Grainger
Educational Consultant and Administrative Specialist, Ba;B.Ed (Hons), MBA, DBA, FAIM (WA), Primary, Secondary and HEI Qualified Teacher and Administrator, Academic Chair (UAE) , Pro Vice-Chancellor (Dubai), Provost (Ghana), Advisor to the Board (Dubai) , Rector (Uzbekistan)
Dr John Grainger qualified with a joint BA program in primary teaching and psychology degree from Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia. He actively engaged with contemporary research, studied for a formal B.Ed (Hons) degree, and transferred to a secondary teaching and administrative role in Perth. His MBA and DBA dissertations were both instrumental in building a scholarly knowledge-base, and had taught MBA students in Singapore during his long service leave.
Dr. Grainger thoroughly enjoyed six challenging years in the UAE as Academic Chair of Business, ICT and B.Ed. programs. During his tenure he was instrumental in developing two new colleges, introducing innovative programs at both colleges, and invited Toastmasters International to joint meetings, i.e. both genders, with permission from the local sheikh.
In 2008 Grainger was appointed to the role of Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Murdoch University in Dubai (MUD). Students were admitted to the campus building for a grand opening presided by the UAE Minister of Education. Despite the great financial cris of 2010/11 MUD thrived, and was profitable within two years.
Dr. Grainger accepted an appointment to Provost, Lancaster University, Ghana (LUG) in 2012-2018. Within three years of opening student numbers, including a substantial number of Nigerian students, required that campus space be doubled in size. In 2018, Dr. Grainger returned to set up Curtin University in Dubai (CUD) and was appointed to Advisor to the Board.
In 2019 Webster University USA invited Dr, Grainger to accept the role of Founding Rector, Webster University Tashkent (WUT) in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education. Community interest was overwhelming – on opening day WUT admitted 90% of the 5-year recruitment target.
Dino Oglic
Senior Director & Head of Research, Centre for AI Biomedical Campus AstraZeneca, Cambridge
He works at AstraZeneca Cambridge (UK) as the Head of Research in the recently formed Center for AI within Data Sciences & AI, BioPharmaceuticals R&D. His mission is to devise innovative products and solutions using machine learning algorithms that will make the drug discovery pipeline more efficient and aid in a better understanding of biology and medicinal chemistry.
He obtained his doctorate in machine learning at the University of Bonn in 2018, with the focus on foundational machine learning and kernel methods. After holding research scientist and post-doctoral positions at the University of Nottingham and King’s College London, he joined the Late Respiratory and Immunology machine learning group at AstraZeneca Cambridge. In 2022, he achieved a significant career milestone by advancing to the role of Senior Director in Machine Learning and AI. Initially, he assumed dual responsibilities as the Head of Audio and Signal Processing team and served as the interim Head of Research. In March 2023, he was appointed as the Head of Research at the Center for AI and a member of the Leadership Team. This progression underscores his commitment to driving innovation and excellence in the dynamic field of machine learning and AI.
Harun Siljak
Assistant Professor, Electronic and Electrical Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin
For almost 25 years Dr Siljak has been involved in academic competitions: first as a successful competitor nationally and internationally in mathematics, physics and informatics, and then as a trainer, organiser, referee, and problem proposer. In his job as an academic, he values the importance of interdisciplinarity in teaching and research, and insists on integration of curiosity and innovation in the learning process. His research connects science, technology, and society through the framework of complex systems theory.
Basiyr D. Rodney
Professor, Educational Technologist, Curriculum Developer, Program Lead – MA Education and Innovation
Dr. Rodney is the Chair of the Department of Teacher Education and is an Associate Professor in Education. His work involves preparing K-12 teachers and learning design professionals who are committed to democratic and socially just learning approaches that are powered by innovation and technology. Dr. Rodney teaches courses in technology education, social foundations and innovative practices. His research focuses on emerging technologies, new learning and design approaches as well as collaborative meaningful learning with technology. He has also developed software applications for teacher evaluations and developed learning games for Teacher Candidates.
Rodney holds degrees in History and Government from the University of the West Indies at Mona Jamaica. And degrees in Education Technology and Curriculum from Florida Atlantic University. He continues to write and comment on the history of the Caribbean, American History, African Slavery in the Atlantic World, International Politics and American Education history and policy. His publications have appeared in the Journal of the Philosophy and History of Education (JOPHE), and Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes.
Dr. Rodney has taught teachers in multiple countries across the spectrum of K-12 education. He is a board member of The Soulard School, Connected Learning and The Alliance for Interracial Dignity in Webster Groves Missouri. He is also a board member of the Webster Center for Creativity and Innovation in Geneva.
Keri Zeller
Education Specialist | EdD, Stakeholder Engagement, Curriculum Designer, Faculty Training and Development Coordinator
Gary A.Bolles
Global Speaker, Chair for the Future of Work, Singularity Group, Co-founder, Next CoLabs, Co-founder, eParashute.com, 1.4 million LinkedIn Learners, Author, “The Next Rules of Work”
Gary A. Bolles writes and lectures around the world on the future of work, learning, and the organization. He is the author of “The Next Rules of Work: The mindset, skillset, and toolset to lead your organization through uncertainty,” your guide to the brave new world of work for the post-pandemic era. He has over 1 million learners on LinkedIn Learning, with courses such as “Learning Mindset,” “Learning Agility,” and “Leading Change.”