John Stoner is an experienced environmental scientist and senior manager with interests in the environment and health. He played a prominent part in designing and delivering the organisational and culture changes associated with the formation of the National Rivers Authority and subsequently the Environment Agency. He was formerly Regional Director of the NRA and EA in Wales and was awarded an OBE for services to the environment in Wales in 1997.
In 1999 he was appointed a Professorial Research Fellow at the Centre for Research into Environment and Health (CREH) at the University of Aberystwyth, where he has managed a wide range of large partnership projects assessing the risk of environmental factors to human health and their implications for policy and practice. He has also been heavily involved in directing the development the Rivers Trust movement in Wales, with the aim of improving the management, awareness and enjoyment of the aquatic environment in partnership with the voluntary sector. This has involved securing government and European funding and managing large, complex, multi-disciplinary partnership projects.
Since 2008 he has developed his knowledge and experience of recovery from addiction by working at a 12-Step treatment centre in West Wales and latterly as researcher on the Higher Power Project and associated 12-Step mutual-aid recovery projects. He is currently a Visiting Professor in Addiction, Recovery and Spirituality at the University of Chester, where he is also Director (Projects) of the recently formed CSARS Group. His primary interest is in applying research results in the field to influence policy and practice for the benefit of the individuals affected by addiction and society more generally. He sees the development of multi-disciplinary partnership projects as the key to success in delivering these benefits.
Role in CSARS Group: As Director (Projects) of CSARS Group, John liaises with Public Health England, Welsh Government, third sector organisations, mutual-aid organisations and the addictions treatment industry to facilitate better mutual understanding and improved outcomes for people suffering with substance use disorders and their families and communities. He organises and runs Twelve-Step Facilitation and other forms of Mutual-Aid engagement, and offers training to addictions treatment workers. He seeks to maximise the benefits of the outcomes of the Higher Power Project by making them available on the frontline for people seeking recovery and addictions workers.
Contact John: j.stoner@chester.ac.uk