Birkbeck launches Research Centre for Environment and Sustainability

The research centre held its launch event on Wednesday 16 October in Birkbeck’s Clore Management Centre, attracting a wide variety of attendees from different disciplines and industries. The evening involved a welcome from Birkbeck’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sally Wheeler, and the showcasing of current research and future projects through a panel discussion with three speakers, chaired by Dr Pam Yeow, Co-Director of BRCES. 

Dr Konstantinos Chalkias, Senior Lecturer in Birkbeck’s Business School, began the discussion by giving an overview of his recent research and book release on Disaster Insurance Reimagined, explaining why insurance is crucial and yet how the current disaster insurance system is in crisis as events occur closer and closer together.  

Dr Lesley McFadyen, Reader in Archaeology, shared how the public’s fascination with archaeology can be used to help draw attention to and change ways of engaging with nature. At Drumadoon on the Isle of Arran in Scotland, Lesley is working with artists in an estate which is being rewilded, to draw together nature and culture rather than continuing with the siloed thinking of the past. 

Finally, Dr Becky Briant, Reader in Quaternary Science and Co-Director of BRCES, shared highlights from the first year of her Royal Society Industry Fellowship working with the Tunnelling and Ground Engineering team at Jacobs, a civil engineering firm. Becky is sharing her expertise of sediments from the Quaternary (last two million years) through formal training, project advice and scientific collaborations to help reduce project risk by increasing understanding of the ground.  

Academics then delivered elevator pitches on new projects that are being explored, with James Hammond, Professor of Geophysics, sharing his work on interdisciplinary approaches to disaster response, and Alex Colas, Professor of International Relations, delivering a speech on urban food systems. The two new environmental science undergraduate courses starting in 2025 were also introduced, showcasing how environmental education is being developed within Birkbeck.  

BRCES Co-Directors Dr Pam Yeow and Dr Becky Briant commented: “We are very excited at the potential there is within Birkbeck to address key issues in environment and sustainability from multiple perspectives. As a psychologist working in the Business School and geographer / geologist, we come from very different research and teaching experiences ourselves and can demonstrate the value of working across disciplinary boundaries in this area. We know we cannot do it alone; collaborations and communities are our best options to tackling this generation's biggest challenge.” 

The event culminated in a drinks and canapes reception, giving attendees a chance to network and connect with likeminded organisations, sector leaders, Birkbeck academics, students and alumni.