Retrospective and a look ahead to the next 10 years

Thursday 25 May 2023

1 - 3pm: Interactive facilitated workshops
4 - 7pm: Celebratory party

On Thursday 25 May, the ESI celebrated its 10 year Anniversary. The team held an interactive workshop to explore 10 emerging issues that will shape the research agenda for the next decade. They also launched an infographic to capture the work completed during the last 10 years before having a party with 160 guests. Speeches were made by Lord Robin Teverson (Chair of the CIOS Local Nature Partnership), Kim Conchie (CEO of the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce), and Martyn Alvey (portfolio holder for the Environment and Climate Change in Cornwall Council’s Cabinet). Formal proceedings were closed by our Vice Chancellor Prof Lisa Roberts and Director Prof Jane Wills cutting a celebratory cake.

The event also provided an opportunity for the ESI team to publicly thank Kurt and Caroline Jackson for the donation of the painting ‘Biodiversity and Taxonomy’ which hangs in the atrium of the building. It is a remarkable work that speaks to the ESI’s work to conserve and regenerate nature. 

The day rounded off with a party, sharing food, drink and live music with a wonderful diversity of guests from within and beyond the university community. It was a lovely opportunity to catch up with old and new friends.

View our new Tree Infographic celebrating the impact of the ESI's first decade of successful operation.

View a summary of our interactive workshop.

Our VIP speakers:

	Lord Robin Teverson, Chair of the CIOS Local Nature Partnership, is similarly active in relation to environmental issues in the Houses of Parliament, this time, for the House of Lords. He has been supporting nature recovery in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly for many years and will reflect on the achievements and challenges of work in this field.
	Kim Conchie, the CEO of the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, will pick up on our themes from the perspective of the business community. Kim has led a pioneering programme of work to engage businesses in nature recovery and will share his insights about this work.
‌	Councillor Martyn Alvey is portfolio holder for the Environment and Climate Change in Cornwall Council’s Cabinet. He will reflect on his ambitions for Cornwall and its wider community in continuing to lead important policy innovation and activity in this area.
	We are also pleased that our previous ESI Director, Professor Juliet Osborne, will be publicly thanking Cornish artist Kurt Jackson who has very kindly donated his painting entitled ‘Biodiversity and Taxonomy’ to the University of Exeter. We are very grateful for his interest and support.
	Vice Chancellor, Professor Lisa Roberts, will be reflecting on the past and looking to the future of the ESI. She will end by cutting a celebratory cake and raising a toast to everyone who has supported the ESI over the past decade.