President of Hampshire and Isle of Weight Wildlife Trust said, the role of environmental scientists is increasingly important. They guide policies and guide governments. But in the past, this didn’t take place. There has been so much research conducted but inflexibility at policy level in really acting on it. But presently, it’s a good time to be an environmental scientist, since there is a lot of work to do and individuals are really starting to listen.
In October 1973, a degree course on environmental science began at the university. At a time when concern about the environment was becoming a growing issue and activism was mounting. In 1970, the first Earth Day was held and the United Nations Conference on the human environment in Stockholm, was the first world conference which was held in 1972, featuring the environment as a major topic.
Initially the environmental science at Southampton was run by staff from Geology, Biology and geography. Since 1973, the department has supervised more than 70 PhD students, taught more than 2000 undergraduates and masters students, and published more than 300 research papers.
Dawn Trenchard, worked at the university from 1957-2004, said the Environmental science was up-and-coming in the 70’s.
Southampton was one of the first university to teach from the country. Environmental science was a very nice and friendly department. Students invite academic and administrative staff for social functions, which they organize.
Senior Lecturer in Ecology at Southampton Professor Edward from 1973 to1993, said the subject has transformed from purely academic discipline to the basic for practical action to protect the environment. Pupils today, just don’t want to understand the theory of ecology, but they are curious to find out how it can be practically useful.
Josh Davies, was a former pupil who graduated in Southampton, with masters in environmental science in 2013. Presently he is a banking senior manager at Santander UK said, I am in this position because of the fantastic foundation that my masters gave me. By this course I developed technical and soft skills which is relevant to my current role.
This course gave me opportunities to test these skills in life through collaborative projects with local organizations. Once I graduated, I was well placed to begin a career in sustainability. I made lifelong friendship in Southampton. Joint various societies and took part in sports. Through my degree programme I loved learning about sustainability.
