Launch

The Walker Institute was officially launched by Sir David King, the UK Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, on 2 November 2006.

From left to right: Sir David King (Government Chief Scientific Adviser), Prof Julia Slingo (Founding Director), Prof Gordon Marshall (Vice-Chancellor of the University), Mr Tim Ford (President of the University Council)

Sir David King said when he launched the Institute:

"The UK, and perhaps the whole world, has reason to be grateful to Reading for this development. The University is a critically important part of what the UK is doing in this area of climate change research".

"The University of Reading carries out world-class research on climate and its impacts and all this outstanding expertise is now going to be channelled and integrated through the Walker institute".

"One of the issues highlighted in the Stern Review is that we still need much better information on climate change at the local and regional level - precisely one of Reading's areas of expertise and a key issue for the Walker Institute"

The event was chaired by the Prof Gordon Marshall, Vice-Chancellor of the University, who gave a very warm welcome to all invitees - business representatives, academics and government officials.

. Prof Julia Slingo, Founding Director of the Walker Institute - What is the Walker Institute?

. Sir David King, UK government's Chief Scientific Adviser - key note address

. Prof Stephen Mobbs, Director of the National Centre for Atmospheric Science - links with NERC

. Dr Vicky Pope, head of the Climate Prediction Programme at the Hadley Centre - links with the Met Office Hadley Centre

. Dr Rob Allan, Hadley Centre - Who was Sir Gilbert Walker? (pdf or ppt)