Fondation Botnar announces Professor Michele Acuto as new Board Member

A leading expert in urban governance, Professor Acuto brings extensive experience in shaping the future of cities. He previously served on Fondation Botnar’s Advisory Group from 2019 until 2021, providing him with in-depth knowledge of the foundation’s mission and strategic priorities.

Currently, Professor Acuto holds the position of Pro-Vice Chancellor (Global Engagement) at the University of Bristol, where he is also Professor of Urban Resilience in the School of Geographical Sciences. He is a recognised global voice on urban challenges and solutions and is also a managing editor of Urban Studies.

Commenting on the appointment, Elsbeth Müller, Board Chair of the Fondation Botnar Board, said: “We are delighted to welcome Professor Michele Acuto to the Board. His expertise in urban governance, digital transformation, and city resilience will be invaluable as we continue to advance our mission. We look forward to benefiting from his strategic insight and leadership.”

Beyond academia, Professor Acuto has made significant contributions to urban science, notably co-convening the first Nature Sustainability international expert panel on ‘Science and the Future of Cities’. He has also worked extensively with global city networks, UN agencies, and mayors, fostering city diplomacy in key areas such as climate change, health, resilience, and migration.

“We would like to express our gratitude to Professor Marcel Tanner for his strong leadership and contributions since 2018. Marcel has been instrumental in the development of our new strategy, and his contribution will have a lasting impact on the direction and work of Fondation Botnar.”