Nigel Bell’s energy and enthusiasm played a critical role in developing Imperial’s MSc in Environmental Technology to become the global leader it is today. It is all too easy to forget just how innovative the idea was back in 1977. Despite the backing of the then Rector, Lord Flowers, many powerful heads of traditional departments within Imperial (whom Brian Flowers often described as the ‘Barons of South Kensington’) were strongly opposed – ‘a pap course for pap people’ as one put it. At the time most Masters’ courses added further specialisation to one’s first degree. The Imperial Course turned this model on its head - – a specialist undergraduate degree followed by a broadening of approach, including exposure to other disciplines such as economics and law, all critical inputs to contemporary environmental decision and policy making. It was in this context, that I contributed to the early beginnings, first as a visiting lecturer and then hired full time as the sole lawyer on Imperial’s staff. Even my own appointment showed just how imaginative Imperial could be at the time. I didn’t have a traditional academic background but was a barrister who had worked as Friends of the Earth’s in-house lawyer on cutting edge environmental issues.
Working with Nigel over the next ten years was a delight. Never pompous and always positive. His deep caring for the students on the Course was immensely important to its success. And his legacy is now the extraordinary network of former graduates across the world, who all know they experienced something very special during their time at Imperial.
Richard Macrory, Hon KC
Emeritus Professor in Environmental Law, UCL
Nigel Bell’s energy and enthusiasm played a critical role in developing Imperial’s MSc in Environmental Technology to become the global leader it is today. It is all too easy to forget just how innovative the idea was back in 1977. Despite the backing of the then Rector, Lord Flowers, many powerful heads of traditional departments within Imperial (whom Brian Flowers often described as the ‘Barons of South Kensington’) were strongly opposed – ‘a pap course for pap people’ as one put it. At the time most Masters’ courses added further specialisation to one’s first degree. The Imperial Course turned this model on its head - – a specialist undergraduate degree followed by a broadening of approach, including exposure to other disciplines such as economics and law, all critical inputs to contemporary environmental decision and policy making. It was in this context, that I contributed to the early beginnings, first as a visiting lecturer and then hired full time as the sole lawyer on Imperial’s staff. Even my own appointment showed just how imaginative Imperial could be at the time. I didn’t have a traditional academic background but was a barrister who had worked as Friends of the Earth’s in-house lawyer on cutting edge environmental issues.
Working with Nigel over the next ten years was a delight. Never pompous and always positive. His deep caring for the students on the Course was immensely important to its success. And his legacy is now the extraordinary network of former graduates across the world, who all know they experienced something very special during their time at Imperial.
Richard Macrory, Hon KC
Emeritus Professor in Environmental Law, UCL
