Costas Velis is a Lecturer in Resource Efficiency Systems at the University of Leeds, specializing in sustainable circular economy and plastics pollution prevention. He leads the Circular Economy & Resource Recovery network and conducts interdisciplinary research funded by UK research bodies and international organizations. Velis is also the head of the ISWA Task Force on Marine Litter, working to prevent plastic pollution in the Global South. His team has contributed to developing models to quantify plastics pollution and has received prestigious awards, including the CIWM James Jackson Award, the ICE Thomas Telford Award, and the ISWA Publication Award.