Timeline
Founded in 1972, originally at the University of Edinburgh, CHE emerged during the first major flowering of the modern environmental movement. CHE has been involved in education, research and action for social and ecological justice ever since — both (occasionally fractiously) as part of academic institutions, and now as an independent educational charity and hybrid co-operative.
For twenty years, as a department within Edinburgh University, the Centre catalysed the creation of leading-edge research and education, culminating in the establishment of a Masters Degree in Human Ecology in 1991. In 1996 the Centre became a wholly independent organisation. The Masters programme continued, accredited via the Open University from 1999-2004 and the University of Strathclyde from 2005-2010.
1972
Founded
The Centre was founded at the University of Edinburgh in 1972, originally as the School of the Man-Made Future, by Conrad Waddington in response to the challenge of the influential ‘Limits to Growth’ report published by the Club of Rome, of which he was a member.
1975
MSc in Human Ecology
Ulrich Loening and colleagues establish the first MSc in Human Ecology in the UK
1977
Conrad Waddington's 'Tools for Thought' published
CHE founder Conrad Hal Waddington’s introduction to systems theory and cybernetics was published posthumously
1991
Land Reform Work Begins
Alastair McIntosh begins work on land reform through the Isle of Eigg Trust
1991 to 1995
MSc in Human Ecology
During this period, the Centre continued with its lecture series, and began to deliver its acclaimed MSc in Human Ecology, initially through Edinburgh University.
1991
Lecture series: Ecology and Decision Making
1996
Lecture series: The Land and the People
2021
COP26
The COP26 climate negotiations took place in Glasgow on November 2021. We hosted a range of interventions, working closely with indigenous people.
2022