University of East Anglia : School of Environmental Sciences

THE ZUCKERMAN INSTITUTE
for Connective Environmental Research
Zuckerman Institute

The Zuckerman Institute for Connective Environmental Research (ZICER), within UEA's internationally-acclaimed School of Environmental Sciences, is a new research venture designed to address the environmental challenges facing us through much closer and more effective connections with business, policy makers and wider society. The Institute is also the first physical symbol of recognition commemorating Lord Zuckerman, the Government's first Chief Scientific Adviser and one of the founding fathers of the School of Environmental Sciences.

ZICER brings together five existing research centres based in UEA's School of Environmental Sciences:

This is a pioneering venture which brings together a range of social and natural scientists into an interdisciplinary institute. It is dedicated to the study of the environment, together with the ways and means for sustainability using nature's wealth in order to protect and enhance people's livelihoods. The state-of-the-art building (housing laboratories and exhibits) will provide an interface for scientists from different backgrounds to connect; but also for other stakeholders such as national government and international agencies, local and international business, NGO's and other interested groups to learn from and contribute to the science and policy debates. A virtual reality laboratory will provide a novel way of connecting scientists, policymakers and other users in a given environmental problem context. New combinations of natural and social science methods and techniques will be required to enable the research programme to be taken forward over five interrelated themes:


Official opening

On Thursday 4th September 2003 the building was officially opened by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, the Rt Hon Charles Clarke, MP, in the presence of special guest Dr Paul Zuckerman, with speeches from: followed by guest address "Sustainability science: Challenges for the new millennium" (Professor Bill Clark, Harvard University).

Third Sustainability Days

The third annual Sustainability Days meeting will be held 4-10 September 2003 at ZICER.

Third Sustainability Days summary
Third Sustainability Days summary
- PDF file (you may need Adobe Reader to view this)


Virtual Reality Theatre

VR laboratory The Virtual Reality Theatre is the centrepiece of the Social Science for the Environment, Virtual Reality and Experimental Laboratories (SSEVREL).

It is unique in being a purpose-built VR facility within an Environmental Sciences department, and together with the adjoining Experimental Laboratory it provides new opportunities for research into environmental decision-making based on the communication of real and hypothetical landscapes.


ZICER in the news

Further information


Last updated: September 2003, Mike Salmon