Arran Stibbe, now a senior lecturer in linguistics at the University of Gloucestershire, graduated from CHE in January 2006 after completing a dissertation outlining an approach to ecoliteracy based on critical awareness of the ways that language constructs society.

The approach to ecoliteracy helped in the creation of a new module called Language and Ecology at the University of Gloucestershire. The module was recently highly commended in the national HEEPI Green Gown awards, and more information about the course, including examples of student work and the online journal Language & Ecology can be found at www.ecoling.net/courses.html

In his academic work Arran is now working on a range of topics, including the analysis of discourses implicated in ecological destruction (such as economic, agricultural and consumerist discourses) and exploration of alternative discourses drawn from world literature and traditional Japanese culture in particular. His research has has also expanded to include the integration of Education for Sustainable Development across the curriculum in Higher Education and he has become chair of the Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges Education for Sustainability Group.

He founded the Language and Ecology Research Forum (www.ecoling.net), which is dedicated to research which analyzes language not only within a social context, but also within an ecological context, in recognition that societies are embedded within the larger ecosystems which support life. The forum provides a range of resources including bibliographies, projects, a network of associates and the online journal Language & Ecology journal. The journal provides a useful place for CHE students to publish their work.

Arran added: "Since graduating from CHE I have found that without exception, everything I learned has proved immensely valuable. I am dedicated to spreading the insights of Human Ecology into the higher education sector and want to thank all the staff for what that they shared with me during the course."