Countryside and Community Research Institute has official inauguration
The Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) was officially launched on 22nd April 2008 at the Park Campus of the University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham.
More than 100 rural experts and academics were in attendance to celebrate the inauguration of this unique collaboration between University of Gloucestershire, University of the West of England and Hartpury College.
(from left to right): Dr. Liz Smith, Professor Nigel Curry, Vice-Chancellor Patricia Broadfoot and Professor Martin Boddy
Among the guests were University of Gloucestershire's Vice-Chancellor Patricia Broadfoot, Professor Martin Boddy, Acting Executive Dean, Faculty of Environment & Technology, UWE and Dr. Liz Smith, Vice Principal Academic at Hartpury College, (pictured above).
The University of Gloucestershire Vice-Chancellor conferred an honorary doctorate on Stuart Burgess, Chair of the Government's Commission for Rural Communities, and the Government's advocate for rural people, businesses and communities.
University of Gloucestershire Vice-Chancellor Patricia Broadfoot presents an Honorary Doctorate to Stuart Burgess, Chair of the Commission for Rural Communities.
CCRI Director, Professor Nigel Curry, said "This exciting merger has brought together a wide range of expertise and created a dynamic focal point where we can achieve progressive research for a wide range of organisations, including Government departments. Also, the appointment of a prominent Board of Directors is a significant achievement for CCRI, and offers a vast experience in rural and social issues to help facilitate a centre of excellence in rural research."
The new CCRI Board was announced at the launch, and will be chaired by Sir Don Curry, Chair of the Sustainable Farming and Food Delivery Group. Sir Don chaired the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food, which reported to the Government following the outbreak of foot and mouth in 2001. The other Board members are Professor Christopher Gaskell, Principal of the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester and Chair of Defra's Science Advisory Council; Judy Ling Wong, UK Director of Black Environment Network; and Professor Colin Dennis, Director General of the Campden & Chorleywood Food Research Association Group, based in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire.
(from left to right): Professor Christopher Gaskell, Professor Nigel Curry, Sir Don Curry and Judy Ling Wong
At the launch, Professor Curry presented an inaugural lecture on behalf of the CCRI which explored the policies for planning in the countryside since the Second World War. To conclude his lecture he drew on examples of research undertaken by the CCRI in the fields of rural economy, rural community, agriculture and countryside planning, and how this research was influencing rural policy. A limited number of transcripts of Professor Curry's lecture are available from CCRI. Please contact Administrator Jill Harper if you would like a copy on 01242 714122, jharper@glos.ac.uk
