Letters to the Editor
On Imperial's socio-environmental impact
As an alumnus, I receive the Imperial newsletter. Their main message is to promote their new strategy 'Science for Humanity' to 'maximise our potential as a force for good in the world'. This is at total odds with their continued commitment to work with fossil fuel companies, their poor engagement with protestors, and their obsession with technofixes rather than systemic change. The People and Planar rankings shine a light on this double speak and I hope people see through their words and remain shocked at their actions.
Anonymous
As former staff, I witnessed a lack of understanding of the socio-environmental crisis from the staff community resulting in little engagement overall. This lack of genuine commitment from management is also to be highlighted, as their actions are still driven by shareholders' interests rather than being a 'force for good'. The ongoing development of "the biggest building Imperial has ever built" in White City also goes against the necessity to emancipate from fossil fuels, cement, and the overall infinite growth paradigm that is never questioned at Imperial.
Being part of a research group with other Imperial staff and students, focusing on this lack of engagement from universities as a whole, I would highlight that the structural "publish or perish culture" within academia is preventing further engagement from Imperial amongst other universities.
Eliott Stoclet
I must say the improvement in Imperial's People & Planet ranking is testament to hard work from students and the Officer Trustees who represent them. It means pressure and action by the student body is being acted upon, albeit slowly.
