The alumni anniversary celebrations in full swing. Photo by Alice Chautard

A Birthday at Baliol: The ECI celebrates 25 years with old friends

Over 150 alumni, former colleagues, friends and current members of the ECI travelled from near and far to celebrate 25 years of the Environmental Change Institute in Oxford, on Saturday 3 September.

The afternoon's event began with a reception at the Oxford Centre for the Environment, home of the ECI for the last three years. Instead of the usual alumni lecture, there were 90 minutes of reflection, looking back on the ECI's first 25 years, and discussion as to where the next 25 years might lead.

Chair of the Advisory Board Tim O'Riordan moderated the discussion, with recollections from Professor Andrew Goudie (former Head of the School of Geography, Former Chair of ECI Advisory Board and Head of ECI Task Force), Professor Jim Boardman (Founding Director of the Environmental Change Management MSc), and Professor Diana Liverman (former Director of the ECI).

"In 1991, the then Vice-Chancellor Sir Richard Southwood had remarked to me that he hoped the ECU would grow into 'a veracious cuckoo in the Oxford nest'. I am happy to say that has indeed happened".

Professor Andrew Goudie

From left to right, Professor Jim Hall (Director, ECI) with Professor Diana Liverman (former Director, ECI), Professor Andrew Goudie (former Head of the School of Geography, former Chair of ECI Advisory Board and Head of ECI Task Force), Professor Martin Parry (former Director, ECI). Photo by Alice Chautard

Leading the conversation on the ECI's evolving role in the world was ECI Advisory Board member and Senior Researcher at Oxfam, Kate Raworth and ECM Alumnus and former researcher Dr Phil Man (1995). Excellent contributions were made from the audience, w

Alumni and friends of the department were some treated to some exclusive screenings of videos; a trailer for a new talking heads video podcast series, We are the ECI, and a new animation which will be officially launched to mark the 25th anniversary of the institute first opening its doors, at the beginning of October.

The largest alumni gathering in recent years later relocated to Baliol College on Broad Street, for an evening of dinner and dancing, with music courtesy of alumnus Dave Favis-Mortlock and his amazing FiddleBop band.

Alumnus Dave Favis-Mortlock plays the fiddle. Photo by Alice Chautard

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