Human Rights Speaker Series: The Climate and Ecological Emergency: Global Crisis, Essex Action

Please join us for the latest Human Rights Speaker Series, hosted by the University of Essex Human Rights Centre and the Centre for Environment and Society

The Climate and Ecological Emergency: Global Crisis, Essex Action

The 26th UN Climate Change Conference is taking place in Glasgow in November 2026 to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Centre for Environment and Society and Human Rights Centre at Essex University are hosting this panel event “Climate and Ecological Emergency: Global Crisis, Essex Action” to coincide with the COP26. The panels provide insights into the research, teaching and activism by members of the Essex University community, across many disciplines, responding to the climate and ecological emergency.

Opening Remarks

The University’s commitments and plans

Professor Lorna Fox O’Mahony, Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Panel 1: Researching climate change: inter-disciplinary perspectives

Chair: Dr Andrew Fagan, Director, Human Rights Centre
 
Dr Lisa Blackmore Senior Lecturer, Interdisciplinary Studies Centre/School of Philosophy and Art History
Give a shit! How activist art infiltrated the toilets at COP21

Dr Stephen Turner Senior Lecturer, School of Law
Why COP 26 won’t work 

Dr Birsha Ohdedar Lecturer, School of Law
“Objection Your Honour – the planet’s burning up” – The climate litigation insurgency
 

Panel 2: Responding to the Climate and Ecological Emergency Through Activism and Teaching 

Chair: Professor Kelum Jayasinghe, Director, Centre for Environment and Society

Dr Jane Hindley Lecturer, Interdisciplinary Studies Centre/School of Philosophy and Art History Sustainability, Practice and Activism
 
Professor Susan Oliver School of Literature, Film and Theatre Studies.
The Environment in the Arts and Humanities curriculum: challenging human / non-human boundaries 

 Dr Thomas Cameron Senior Lecturer, School of Life Sciences
Is Applied science activism or not? A case study in the designation of the Essex Marine Conservation Zone.

Daisy Malt Sustainability (Environment and Recycling) Manager                                                  Tackling the Climate and Ecological Emergency: the University’s Response