4
Sir David Attenborough opens
world-class science facilities
New state-of-the-art
science facilities at
Keele University were
officially opened by
renowned broadcaster
Sir David Attenborough
in May 2019.
As part of the University’s
70th anniversary
celebrations, Sir David
toured Keele’s new life
science laboratories which
have been named in his
honour, meeting with staff
and students to discuss
their pioneering research
and studies in fields such as food security,
biodiversity and global health.
The new School of Life Sciences teaching
and research laboratories are part of a
£45million investment to create cutting-
edge science facilities on campus to support
Keele’s world-leading research and teaching,
and to tackle the key challenges of the 21st
Century.
As he officially opened the laboratories, Sir
David said: “I am extremely lucky and I feel
undeserving of this great honour. But if it
means that you have the excitements, and
the thrill, and the enlightenments that I have
had looking at the natural world, and the
sheer joy - and that you go on to care for
the natural world - then I am very pleased
indeed, and I am delighted to have this huge
honour of having this wonderful building carry
my name.”
After opening the new laboratories, Sir David
gave a talk on the subject of sustainability to
a packed audience, followed by a short Q&A
session.
In his awe-inspiring talk to over 400
guests, staff and students, Sir David said:
“Universities have a responsibility when they
have an understanding of what is happening
in the natural world to tell people about it, and
take action about it.
“This university is showing that it understands
the importance of sustainability and human
beings cannot go on taking from the natural
world without any care.
“I actually had been feeling that I was talking
into the wind 30 years ago. Today, I believe
that we are on the turning point. I believe
that universities like this one, which pays
particular attention to sustainability, is right at
the cutting edge.