ENV78 Reunion: A reflection
By: Petra Brown (ENV78) and Gary Kemp (ENV78)
Below is an alumni summary of a recent reunion to campus, written by two of the visiting cohort.
It was an appropriate moment to hold an Environmental Sciences (ENV) Reunion at UEA on 26-27th June 2026 as we sweltered on campus and in the field during one of the hottest summers on record! Who could have imagined that we would be experiencing so much of what we learnt about anthropogenic climate change as undergrads back in 1978 to 1981?
But back to the reunion. Through the efforts of many, we managed to trace 64 of the 125 ENV78 cohort – 36 of whom attended the two-day event. Others who could not attend sent messages to share.
It was quite an emotional time, meeting at the Sainsbury Centre, facilitated perfectly by the staff who provided us with a warm welcome to our ENV78 cohort (plus one very welcome interloper from ENV79). The fabulous setting helped to alleviate a few feelings of uncertainty about meeting friends from the past.
Many of us had changed significantly, and not everyone could recognise each other immediately. So, we all had name stickers to avoid too many awkward questions! Some of us have remained in contact over the years, but others had hardly spoken or seen each other since graduation! But it didn’t take long for old friendships to be rekindled, and the buzz of conversation and laughter soon filled the air.
Meeting at the Sainsbury Centre
The first day continued with a presentation in the main lecture theatre in the old ENV building, led by Professors Kevin Hiscock and Andrew Lovett which focused on recent research, as well as on the current course curriculum.
We were rather surprised to hear that geography is now offered alongside Environmental Sciences – an option that should attract students looking for a more traditional approach, and one that will hopefully complement the ground-breaking approach taken by the ENV of our days, where an integrated, multidisciplinary learning environment demanded a holistic approach to all aspects of our environment. In its day, this was quite a radical approach, but one that we were all proud to adopt.
In the ENV Lecture Theatre
We also heard that, even at a time when environmental issues are so prominent in the news, there has been a gradual decline in applications to study environmental sciences at undergraduate level, and that UEA was also struggling to find students interested in studying ENV, despite its high reputation in environmental sciences. A lively discussion ensued as to how to address this challenge, one which we hope will continue.
After a campus tour, we gathered in the Student Union Building to hear stories from individuals on how studying ENV at UEA shaped their career choices over the years since graduating. We heard from Professor David Maguire – the Vice Chancellor – about the opportunities and challenges faced by UEA, both generally and in attracting students in the current climate.
We reflected that the business associated with the science is what could make an ENV degree outstanding in the current environmental crisis, along with the skills and knowledge acquired in ENV that stood us in good stead.
There was consensus that more than ever organisations across a wide variety of sectors - businesses and public sector bodies - are now seeing that they are going to have to adapt to a whole new world, where changing climate is the new reality; one where the huge range of associated impacts can no longer be ignored.
Indeed, the School of ENV is currently working on this idea with the Business School at UEA. The need to work with employers and to understand what employers are looking for would help in building new partnerships, “Do Different” and encompass change, but without losing sight of academic rigour and independence.
The day concluded with a BBQ where conversations carried on under the stars late into the night.
The second day we gathered for a field trip to explore “pingos” -periglacial features in Norfolk’s Breckland area. These enigmatic ice-formed hollows later hosted ponds that once supported a great diversity of species before post-war, government-backed agricultural policies encouraged infilling, effectively hiding them from view. Now they are being rediscovered and restored, bringing back many dormant species of flora, along with associated fauna from centuries ago. We were lucky to be guided by Tim Holt-Wilson together with Professor Kevin Hiscock. 
During the Field Trip
Unbeknown to us, we were cast in the role of guinea pigs for further field excursions! But we’re happy to help with this, because everyone valued the significant field work element of the ENV course. We recognised that this non-classroom study played a significant role in our learning and bonding.
On reflection, the two days recharged us. We reconnected with friends and rekindled passions, things that that brought us together as ENV students. And we considered where it leaves us now as many of us reach the end of our careers.
How can we draw from our wide-ranging experiences and skills to make a lasting difference to ENV at UEA? Perhaps we can collaborate with other cohorts and take positive action in ways that promotes the study of environmental sciences and the value it provides? Perhaps we can Do Different and find ways to offer value in ways that are not simply associated with financial input or legacy?
To be discussed further!
Please get in touch if you are an ENV graduate and wish to participate in a discussion group for future ENV students – we’d love to hear from you.
Written by Petra Brown (neé Thomas ENV78) and Gary Kemp (ENV78)
Photos by Gary Kemp, Colin Hoskins, UEA Alumni team, Tim Holt-Wilson
THANKS TO:
Sainsbury Centre Staff - Agata Guziejko, Laszlo Szucsko
ENV Faculty - Professors Julian Andrews, Kevin Hiscock, Andrew Lovett, Ian Renfrew and Jenni Turner
Vice-Chancellor - Professor David Maguire
Specialist Researcher - Tim Holt-Wilson (natural and cultural heritage)
Development, Alumni and Campaigns Team - Will Stileman and Dawne Hart
Venues Operations Manager - Gavin Hudson
ENV78 Alumni – too many to name who helped make the ENV78 reunion a success!