Bristol hosts groundbreaking new workshop on the criminalisation of ecocide
See all newsDr Suwita Hani Randhawa, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at UWE Bristol, has convened the first cross-party workshop to discuss the opportunities, challenges and implications that a new crime of ecocide presents for the UK’s domestic and foreign policies.
Ecocide – the mass destruction of the environment – has been the subject of increasing political discussion and legislative efforts in the UK. Supported by an Impact Acceleration Award from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the workshop – the first of its kind – was held in Bristol in February 2024 and brought together a diverse group of external stakeholders, all of whom are actively engaged in ongoing efforts to criminalise ecocide in the UK.
This included notable politicians and activists, such as: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party Peer and former leader of the Green Party of England and Wales); Carla Denyer (Co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales and Bristol City Councillor; Monica Lennon (MSP for Central Scotland); and Jojo Mehta, CEO and Co-Founder of Stop Ecocide International as well as academics with an interest in ecocide, climate justice and green politics.
As the UK Government’s stance on ecocide has not yet been the subject of public discussion, the workshop provided the opportunity to critically engage with this pressing topic. The workshop also offered a strategic space for the small grouping of UK politicians and activists to discuss how to coordinate action towards their shared goals.
Drawing on her expertise on the process of international criminalization, Dr Randhawa played a leading and facilitative role at the workshop. Commenting on its opportunities, Dr Randhawa said:
"Against the background of a global ecological crisis and attendant demands for climate justice, bringing together key actors from different sectors of UK society – all of whom share the common goal of ecocide’s recognition as a crime – into one space has been a productive way to discuss opportunities for future collaboration and activism on a pressing topic of our times."
Dr Randhawa will now be taking the lead to operationalise the ideas explored at the workshop, all of which are aimed at mainstreaming ecocide within UK politics.
Related news
22 October 2024
‘Life changing’ prosthetic leg developed at UWE Bristol to be trialled at global competition
Researchers from UWE Bristol are preparing to showcase an advanced bio-inspired prosthetic leg they have developed to improve the quality of life for people with above-knee amputations.
01 October 2024
Research study aims to improve dementia assessments for diverse communities in Bristol
UWE Bristol is launching a research project aimed at transforming the assessment and diagnosis of dementia for people from three minority ethnic communities in Bristol.
26 September 2024
Project Zulu choir tour funds new classrooms in South Africa
Classroom overcrowding has been eased at a township school in South Africa, thanks to money raised during the Project Zulu choir tour last year.
18 September 2024
Activist Dr Guy Bailey OBE celebrated at UWE Bristol event
Civil rights activist Dr Guy Bailey OBE, who was instrumental in the Bristol Bus Boycott in the 1960s, is the first guest speaker at the latest series of free events hosted by UWE Bristol.
08 July 2024
UWE Bristol students share powerful refugee and migrant stories
A new podcast ‘Wisdom from the Global Majority’ tells the stories of both migrants and refugees in Bristol through their own words.
26 June 2024
Water security and climate action to be explored through theatre with communities
UWE Bristol will support an international research project that will embed theatre practice to work with less heard communities who face water insecurity.
24 May 2024
Impact of world-leading Centre for Appearance Research celebrated on 30th anniversary
It has grown from two researchers and a PhD student to become what is considered the largest research centre in the world focussed on appearance and body image. Now the Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) has celebrated its 30th anniversary.
01 May 2024
The hidden work of new mothers exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic
New research has uncovered how the pandemic intensified and exposed the immense layers of unpaid work by mothers during maternity leave.
26 April 2024
New billboard to encourage conversations about what life might be like without racism
The billboard displays an illustration from the book ‘If Racism Vanished for a Day’, which explores the impact of racism on children's wellbeing.
18 April 2024
New UWE Bristol film promotes positive masculinity
A new UWE Bristol film poses the question 'what does it mean to be a man in 2024?'
05 April 2024
University joins new partnership to combat inequality
UWE Bristol has signed up to a ground-breaking agreement to address inequality and deprivation for Bristol’s low-income communities.
08 March 2024
Deaf awareness course for UWE Bristol healthcare students hailed by regional mayor
UWE Bristol’s move to train up future NHS workers in deaf awareness could help save lives regionally and nationally, according to West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris.