UNIVERSITY VIEW
More than 120 world leaders and thousands of negotiators, government representatives, senior officials, businesses and citizens are currently assembled in Glasgow for the United Nation’s Climate Change Conference (Cop26).
Last month, ahead of the global climate summit, climate change experts gathered at Aberystwyth University for our week-long Festival of Research focused on climate change.
Studying the environment and the impact of climate change have been part of Aberystwyth University’s mission for decades.
From food security and the impacts of global change on biodiversity to melting glaciers, flooding and drought, our academics have been undertaking research to help develop solutions to the most pressing issues facing our planet. Our inaugural Festival of Research showcased the breadth of the institution’s research aimed at tackling climate change and contributing to net zero carbon targets.
The Festival brought together academics from all disciplines – from across the university and beyond – with politicians, policy makers and members of our local community.
There were contributions from a number of leading public figures such as the First Minister of Wales, the EU Commissioner for the Environment and the CEO of the BBSRC.
The week-long programme helped to cast a spotlight on the fundamental issues of the global climate and ecological crisis facing the planet. It provided a platform for constructive dialogue, discussion and debating potential solutions.
Although the first Festival of
Research of its kind to be held at Aberystwyth, the aim is to make it an annual event in the institution’s calendar. Plans are already under way for the next two years.
In 2022, it will form part of the university’s 150th anniversary celebrations. Our working theme is “The World We Want” and will look both back to how work at Aberystwyth University has contributed to the world we live in and forward to how our research will help to shape our future.
In the subsequent year, we hope to celebrate another anniversary – the centenary of the Welsh Women’s Peace Appeal – by focusing on sustainable peace and development.
It is an essential part of our work as a university that we take a leading role in enabling discussion ofsome of society’s most pressing challenges.
Through activities such as these, we can continue to progress the search for solutions. With all eyes on Glasgow for now, academic discussions and initiatives will remain a key driver of progress as we seek to use our natural resources sustainably.
■ Professor Colin McInnes is Pro ViceChancellor – Research, Knowledge Exchange and Innovation at Aberystwyth University