Dr Beth Christie
Senior Lecturer / Director of Scotland's United Nations University-Recognised Regional Centre of Expertise in Education for Sustainable Development
- Moray House School of Education and Sport, IETL
- University of Edinburgh
Contact details
- Tel: +44 (0)131 651 4720
- Email: beth.christie@ed.ac.uk
Address
- Street
-
Thomson's Land Rm: 2.03
Moray House School of Education and Sport - City
- University of Edinburgh (Holyrood Campus)
- Post code
- EH8 8AQ
Background
Beth Christie is a Senior Lecturer in the Outdoor and Environmental Education Section of the Moray House School of Education. She is also the Director of Scotland's United Nations University-recognised Regional Centre of Expertise in Education for Sustainable Development (Learning for Sustainability Scotland). Her interdisciplinary research, teaching and advocacy is broadly located at the intersection of sustainability education, social movement learning, social and environmental justice, and critical pedagogical practices. She is deeply committed to reshaping and enriching a range of educational contexts - such as compulsory and higher education - to foster more just, equitable, and sustainable futures.
Her research has contributed significantly to the national discourse, policy development and practice of Learning for Sustainability in Scotland, positioning education as a vital tool for addressing global challenges. Her work and that of colleagues has informed national and international developments which have impacted Scottish Government's policy architecture and General Teaching Council for Scotland's professional frameworks on Learning for Sustainability and Outdoor Learning. This led to Beth developing and leading a specialist Learning for Sustainability MSc programme, and related continuing professional development for nationally and internationally based teachers. This sustained impact resulted in her work, and that of colleagues, being highlighted in the University of Edinburgh submissions for the UK Research Excellence Framework in 2014 and 2022; she led both of these submissions. Beth continues to critically engage with policy development through her membership of Scottish Government's Learning for Sustainability Leadership Group, ongoing work with Education Scotland and the General Teaching Council for Scotland as well as advisory roles with European Commission led research.
She has also created a number of learning (and un-learning) professional development programs for educators, which aim to foster a freely accessible regenerative culture of criticality, reflexivity and community building. In 2015, she led the development of a Massive Open On-line Courses (MOOC) in 'Learning for Sustainability: Developing a Personal Ethic', which led to a similar joint venture with Cornell University, New York, where she supported the development of an online course 'Environmental Education: A transdisciplinary approach to addressing wicked problems'. Annually, since 2020, as Academic Lead, she has worked with the British Council and Learning for Sustainability Scotland, to deliver two further MOOCS 'Learning for a Sustainable Future' and 'Learning for a Sustainable Future: Live at COP'. These online courses have collectively engaged over 50,000 learners from 170 countries, offering a collaborative space for learners to listen to, reflect upon and share stories and perspectives drawn from a range of diverse social and environmental issues and worldviews.
In 2018, Beth was selected to be part of an expedition to Antarctica for international climate leaders, which focused on the theme of climate change and its impacts. This journey provided her with a unique opportunity to explore firsthand the environmental challenges facing the continent and the broader implications for global sustainability. That experience underscored her commitment to addressing sustainability issues through education and research as she translated her experiences from Antarctica into invited keynotes, school and community projects, educational resources and advocacy, helping to raise awareness about climate change and its global significance and relation ship with broader sustainability issues.
Within the University, Beth leads and teaches on a range of Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses and supervises both MSc and PhD students. Her doctoral supervision spans Institutions within Scotland and internationally, as she has been invited to serve on Doctoral Committees for students at the University of Iceland and Cornell University, New York. Reaching beyond the University, she has led and co-led a number of knowledge exchange projects that have developed and supported participatory and creative, arts-based projects with schools and community organisations. See for example the Education for Climate Justice Workshop Series, Climate Sisters: Local Women of the World Exhibition and British Council's School's Climate Simulation Event.
She is also a Trustee of Wen (Women's environmental Network), an environmental charity that takes an intersectional feminist approach to tackling the climate and nature emergencies, focusing on issues that connect women, health, equity and environmental justice. She is committed to continuing her community-focused work and is keen to co-create and support similar projects through her role at Learning for Sustainability Scotland and their pan-sectorial approach to sustainability education.
Qualifications
PGCert Academic Practice, University of Edinburgh (2015).
PhD, University of Edinburgh (2004) - 'Raising Achievement' in Secondary Schools?: A study of Outdoor Experiential Education.
BA (Hons), Heriot Watt University (1998) - Awarded Watt Medal, Undergraduate Dissertation Nominated for UK Award.
Responsibilities & affiliations
Director, Scotland's United Nations University-recognised Regional Centre of Expertise in Education for Sustainable Development (Learning for Sustainabilty Scotland)
Honorary Fellow, Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Fellow, Higher Education Academy
Fellow, RSA
Trustee, Wen (Women's environmental Network)
Member, European Institute of Adventure Education and Experiential Learning
Member, Moray House School of Education Ethics Committee
Mentor, Edinburgh Teaching Award (EdTA)
Undergraduate teaching
- Course Organiser: EDUA08116 Sustainability and Social Responsibility (UG)
Postgraduate teaching
- Course Organiser: EDUA11424 Sustainability and Social Responsibility (PG)
- Course Organiser: REDU11079 Applied Project
- Course Organiser/ Academic Lead: EDUA9991 Massive Open Online Course (MOOC): Learning for a Sustainable Future
- Course Organiser/ Academic Lead: EDUA9992 Massive Open Online Course (MOOC): Live at COP
- Dissertation Supervisor: MSc Outdoor Education; MSc Outdoor Education and Sustainability Education; MSc Learning for Sustainability
Open to PhD supervision enquiries?
Yes
Areas of interest for supervision
Beth currently supervises doctoral students exploring a range of interdisciplinary areas examining sustainability education, nature connection, and futures thinking from various critical perspectives and within context of the UK, Europe and other parts of the world.
She is open to supervising PhD students in a number of areas relating to the philosophy, policy and practice of environmental and sustainability education, climate justice education, futures thinking, social justice and critical pedagogies. Please do make an enquiry if your studies fall into these broad, intersecting areas.
MSc dissertation supervision
She has supervised 68 MSc dissertation students to completion (since 2013).
Her MSc supervision is mostly situated within MSc Learning for Sustainability, MSc Outdoor Environmental Sustainability and MSc Outdoor Education.
Current PhD students supervised
She is currently supervising PhD students at the University of Edinburgh and at Cornell University (New York) as a Doctoral Committee Member in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment.
- Brian Wright: Outdoor Education for a Sustainable Future: The United World Colleges as a participatory case study of outdoor education structures, theories of change, and pedagogical practices for impacting student outlooks regarding sustainability. Awarded University of Edinburgh Doctoral Scholarship.
- Elena Dominguez Contreras: Young Children Contribute to Nature Stewardship. Cornell University, New York.
- Louise Hawxwell: An exploration into the impact of outdoor experiences on the perceptions and practices of trainee teachers over the course of their undergraduate study and into their NQT year – a longitudinal study.
Past PhD students supervised
She has successfully supervised a number of PhD students to completion both at the University of Edinburgh and at the University of Iceland where she was an Invited International Expert Doctoral Committee Member.
- Jakob Frimman Þorsteinsson: The Nature, Value and Role of Outdoor Education in Iceland – Eðli, gildi og hlutverk útimenntunar á Íslandi. University of Iceland, Reykjaivk, Iceland. (2024)
- Chris Mackie: The role of the natural heritage in supporting learning and development in Scotland (Magnus Magnusson Scottish Natural Heritage PhD studentship) (2023)
- Sharon Boyd: Fostering student-community engagement activities at distance – the role of the University as change-agent. (2023)
- Ethan Lewis: Identity, space, place and power: An ethnographic study of a community garden. (2022)
- Abdul Kahlid: The nature and scope of outdoor education in the city-state of Singapore. (2018)
PhD Examinations
Beth has extensive experience as an internal and external PhD examiner both nationally and internationally.
- Sophie Perry: Education for a Liveable Future: A study of three environmental education programmes that seek to bring about change. Kings college London (2024).
- Christian Hanser: Wandering with a shepherd’s hut: fragments of a vagabond methodology. University of Edinburgh (2023).
- Cathy Francis: Becoming Naturish: Exploring children’s embodied connections with nature. University of Aberdeen (2021).
- Leire Agirreazkuenaga Onaindia: Local answer for a Global issue. Education for sustainability: governance and implementation from key actors perspective in the Basque Autonomous Community Development Studies Doctoral Program, University of the Basque Country (2020).
- Jakob Frimman Þorsteinsson: The Nature, Value and Role of Outdoor Education in Iceland – Eðli, gildi og hlutverk útimenntunar á Íslandi. University of Iceland, Reykjaivk, Iceland. Interim Evaluation (2019).
- Matluba Khan: Environment, Engagement and Education: Investigating the relationship between primary school grounds and children’s learning: A case study from Bangladesh. Edinburgh College of Art, School of Landscape Architecture, University of Edinburgh (2017).
- Asma Khanum: Environmentally Conscious Global Citizens: An Evolution from Environmental Education to Sustainable Development Education in Pakistan. College of Social Sciences, University of Glasgow (2017).
- Sharifah Intan Sharina Syed Abdullah: An Investigation into the Influence of Outdoor Environmental Education Courses on the Environmental Attitude and Behaviours of Malaysian Participants: A life history approach. Moray House school of Education, University of Edinburgh (2016).
Research summary
- Philosophy, theory and practice of sustainability education/ Learning for Sustainability / outdoor learning
- Critical pedagogical practices
- Climate justice / climate justice education
- Comparative educational policy
- Social justice, inclusion and intersectionality
- Social movement learning
Current research interests
Beth's interdisciplinary research is broadly located at the intersection of sustainability education, social movement learning and critical pedagogical practices. She is deeply committed to reshaping and enriching a range of educational contexts - such as compulsory and higher education - to foster more just, equitable, and sustainable futures.Knowledge exchange
She has undertaken a range of knowledge exchange projects involving, consultancy, workshops, focus groups and commissioned work with organisations such as British Council, NatureScot, Forestry Commission Scotland, Field Studies Council, Natural England, Scottish Museums Council, General Teaching Council for Scotland, Education Scotland, GroundWorks, Royal Scottish Geographical Society.
As Director of Scotland's United Nations University-recognised Regional Centre of Expertise in Education for Sustainable Development (Learning for Sustainability Scotland) she is helping to lead their growing network of educators, practitioners and key partners who are working together to embed learning for sustainability and the UN Sustainable Development Goals across their practices. Learning for Sustainability Scotland work across sectors, across all types of education, across the length and breadth of Scotland -and with frequent collaboration with partners in the rest of the UK and across the world.
As a member organisation, Learning for Sustainability Scotland brings people together to work on key areas of interest. They form task groups which encompass a wide range of topics and outcomes, offer local and national knowledge exchange events, and give policy advice and responses to national consultations. Learning for Sustainability Scotland is also part of a global network of RCEs throughout the UK, Europe and beyond. This international network allows regions and countries to share and learn from each other, and to establish or strengthen international partnerships.
Affiliated research centres
Project activity
2024: Co-Lead: School Climate Simulation Event - Knowledge Exchange Event 31st October 2024. British Council.
2024-2025: Academic Lead: Development of Massive Open Online Courses to support International educator Professional Development in 'Learning for a Sustainable Future' & Learning for a Sustainable Future: Live at COP29. British Council.
2023-2024: Academic Lead: Development of Massive Open Online Courses to support International educator Professional Development in Learning for a Sustainable Future' & Learning for a Sustainable Future: Live at COP28. British Council.
2023: Principal Investigator: Advancing Cornell-Edinburgh Leadership in Sustainability Education University of Cornell: Global Strategic Hub Research and Education Seed Grant Award
2023: Co-Lead: School Climate Simulation Event - Knowledge Exchange Event 16th November 2023. British Council.
2022: Principal Investigator: Review and Recommendations for upscaling: Sustainability and Social Responsibility UG and PG courses. Curriculum Transformation Programme Fund:, University of Edinburgh.
2022-2023: Academic Lead: Development of Massive Open Online Courses to support International educator Professional Development in Learning for a Sustainable Future' & Learning for a Sustainable Future: Live at COP27. British Council.
2022: Co-Lead: Climate Sisters: Local Women of the World Exhibition22nd - 29th September.
2021-2022: Academic Lead: Development of Massive Open Online Courses to support International educator Professional Development in Learning for a Sustainable Future' & Learning for a Sustainable Future: Live at COP26. British Council.
2020-2021: Co-Investigator: Keeping the Door Open: Curating, developing and evolving University of Edinburgh teaching in spaces and places within the city and beyond..Principal Teaching Award Scheme, University of Edinburgh.
2020- 2021: Advisory Board Member: MARCH Network Plus. Natural Outdoor Environments and Mental Health: Developing Sustainability Indicators using a Cross-Disciplinary and Multi-Stakeholder Approach.
2020-2021: Co-Investigator: Education for climate justice: Centring social justice amidst demands to ‘prioritise the climate crisis in education. Partnership with University of Edinburgh, University of St Andrews, Centre for climate Justice, Teach the Future Scotland. Scottish Universities Insight Initiative.
2019-2020: Principal Investigator: Whole school approach to Learning for Sustainability. Connecting Classrooms and Global Learning Practitioner Fund, British Council.
2018- 2022: Co-Lead: Learning for Sustainability: Global Learning: Professional Development programme with Learning for Sustainability Scotland, International Development Education Association for Scotland (IDEAS) and Scotland Malawi Partnership (SMP).
2019: Principal Investigator: Commissioned Literature Review. Educational Impact of Learning for Sustainability.. Scottish Government.
2017-2019: Co-Investigator: Curriculum for Climate Justice: A collaborative investigation of the challenges and opportunities for climate change education through a social justice lens. Principal Teaching Award Scheme, University of Edinburgh.
2015-2018: Co-Lead: Learning for Sustainability/Connecting Classrooms Professional Learning Services for Teachers. British Council.
2015-17: Co-Investigator: PRISMA pre-school teacher job-shadowing between thirteen preschools in Reykjavík and five host countries (Scotland, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Slovenia) with the aim of developing a pan-European understanding of outdoor learning and education for sustainable development. Erasmus.
2014: Co-Investigator: Walking for Wellbeing: Developing sustainable engagement between research, policy and practice. Scottish Universities Insight Initiative.
2012: Principal Investigator: Commissioned Literature Review. The impact of outdoor learning experiences on attitudes to sustainability: A brief review of literature. Field Studies Council/University of Edinburgh. Field Studies Council Report 06/2012.
2012: Principal Investigator: Commissioned Literature Review - The impact of outdoor learning experiences on attainment and behaviour: A brief review of literature. Forestry Commission Scotland/University of Edinburgh. Forestry Commission Report 11/2012.
2012: Principal investigator: Exploring the multi-dimensional potential of outdoor learning; a critical review of literature. Seedcorn Fund, University of Edinburgh.
2011: Principal Investigator: A Natural Curriculum: Improving the quality and availability of outdoor learning experiences in schools. Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.
2010: Principal Investigator: Evaluation of the Greenways to Health Initiative. Natural England/Groundworks Northumberland.
2010: Co-Investigator: Outdoors and Health Network. ESRC grant no. RES-355-25-0040. Economic and Social Research Council.
Invited speaker
Invited Speaker: Keynotes, Discussion Panels and Seminars (National and International)
Christie, B (2023) ‘Learning for Unsustainability?’ Invited provocation piece to inform the General Teaching Council for Scotland’s Code of Professionalism and Conduct Review. February 2023. [Invited contribution]
Christie, B. (2023) Closing Keynote Panel discussion: Experiential, Collaborative and Contemplative Pedagogies for Innovative Curriculum Themes: Environmental Sustainability, Wellbeing and Wicked Problems. Investigate, Inquire, Innovate: Exploring Research-Informed Teaching Practice. University of Edinburgh Learning and Teaching Conference. 27th June 2023. [Invited keynote panel member]
Christie, B. (2022). Case Study: Sustainability and Social Responsibility courses (alternative pedagogies and innovative assessments). Education for Sustainable Development Topic Support Network: Implementing Education for Sustainable Development across institutions. EAUC The Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education. 26th April 2022. [Invited contribution]
Christie, B. (2022). Keynote Panel Discussion: Building Bridges Through Purposeful Engagement With Epistemological Diversity. Invited Panel member. 11th World Environmental Education Congress. Building Bridges in Times of Climate Urgency. 14th March 2022 Prague, Czech Republic. [Invited Panel Member]
McGregor, C., Christie, B. & Kushtatscher, M. (2021) Education for climate justice: Centring social justice amidst demands to ‘prioritise the climate crisis in education’ Earth Unbound Seminar Series. 28th October. [Invited seminar contribution]
Christie, B., & McGregor, C. (2020) Climate Justice Education in Scotland: Barriers and Opportunities. Climate Fringe Seminar hosted by Centre for Climate Justice (CGU), 19th August 2022. [Invited seminar contribution]
Christie, B. (2019). Reflections on an Antarctic Expedition/ Learning for Sustainability in a Changing World. Baillie Gifford Sponsorship Event. National Museum of Scotland, September, 2019. [Invited keynote]
Christie, B and McGregor, C. (2019). Climate Justice Education. Hot Topic Invited Panel Discussion: British Educational Research Association Annual Conference, Manchester University 12th September, 2019. [Invited panel member]
Christie, B. (2019). Reflections on an Antarctic Expedition. Edgehill University, 17th January 2019 (Invited Lecture).
Christie, B. (2018). Learning for Sustainability: Vision and values. General Teaching Council for Scotland Newly Qualified Teacher Seminar, University of Edinburgh, 21st June, 2018. [Invited lecture]
Christie, B. (2018). Sustainable Development Goals: what are they and how might they be taught adventurously? Professional Learning Network Seminar, Edinburgh, 25th May 2018. [Invited lecture]
Christie, B. (2018). Reflections from Antarctica: People, place and planet. Women in the Polar Regions. Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS). Geography Day. RSGS Headquarters, Perth, 16th June 2018 [Invited seminar]
Christie, B. (2018). Learning for Sustainability: Opportunities beyond the four walls. Scottish Educational Leadership, Management and Administration Society. St Georges’s, Edinburgh, 17th May 2018. [Invited lecture]
Christie, B. (2017). A World of Opportunity: Scotland's Learning for Sustainability agenda. 6th Economic Summit, Dundee 2017. [Invited keynote]
Christie, B. (2017). Outdoor Learning in Scotland. Scottish Council of Independent Schools Outdoor Learning conference. May 2017. [Invited keynote]
Christie, B. (2016). Learning for Sustainability in Scotland: Origins, progress and prospects. Centre for Educational Innovation meeting of experts in Education and Innovation 10-12th October , Berlin. Pre-meeting for European Parliament Address - European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sports; European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion and European Commissioner for Employment, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness. [Invited keynote]
Christie, B. (2016). Exploring the Educational Potential of Residential Experiences. First National Outdoor Education Conference. Úlfljotsvatn, Iceland, September 5th-7th. [Invited keynote]
Christie, B. (2015). Outdoor Learning in Higher Education in Scotland. International conference on Education and Innovation, Szczecin, Poland, 6-7th November. [Invited keynote]
Christie, B. (2014). A Natural Curriculum: Improving the quality and availability of outdoor learning in schools in Scotland. Màlþing um Útinám í daglegu starfi. Reykjavik, Iceland, 13th February. [Invited keynote]
Higgins, P. & Christie, B. (2012) Raising Attainment Through Learning Outside the Classroom: In search of the holy grail? Council for Learning Outside the Classroom. Annual Conference, Doncaster. [Invited keynote]
Christie, B., Higgins, P., Beames, S., and Nicol, R. (2011) Current trends and future directions: Exploring the Role of outdoor learning. Edukacja przygodą Conference in Teresin, Warsaw, Poland, 14-15 October 2011 [Presented by Beth Christie - Invited keynote]
Higgins, P., Christie, B. & Geyer, J. (2011) Green is good for you! The role of 'greenspace' in promoting physical activity, health, wellbeing, and sustainable development education. Invited Closing session of Health, Wellbeing and Nutrition Cluster Research Day at Republic Polytechnic, Singapore, 7th December [Invited keynote]
Other Selected Conference Presentations
Christie, B., & Collacottt, M. (2020) Climate Justice Education: From Social Movement Learning and Back (Teacher perspective). European RCE Conference 'Climate Emergency: Joined up Action. 25th November, 2020.
Christie, B., Higgins, P & Nicol, R (2020) Learning Outside the Classroom: A World of Opportunity. School Teacher Conference (Covid Support). University of Edinburgh, 24th June 2020.
Christie, B. McGregor, C. and Collacott, M. (2019). Climate justice education: From schooling to social movement learning and back? British Educational Research Association Annual Conference. Manchester University 12th September, 2019. **AWARDED: Best Paper in Special Interest Group, BERA 2019**
Christie, B. McGregor, C. and Collacott, M. (2019). Climate justice education: From schooling to social movement learning and back? The 15th biennial Conference on Communication and the Environment: Waterlines: Confluence and hope through environmental communication Vancouver, Canada 19th June (virtual presentation)
Christie, B., Þorsteinsson, J, & Arngrimsson, G. (2014) ‘Developing outdoor learning within formal and non-formal education in Iceland’ Paper presented at the European Institute of Adventure Education and Experiential Learning, Iceland, 3rd-7th September, 2014.
Christie, B. & Beames, S. (2013) Secondary teachers’ and pupils’ experiences of local outdoor learning in Maths and Geography. Paper presented at Interweaving: Connecting educational research within, across and between perspectives, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, September 4th.
Christie, B. (2013) Outdoor Journeys: Secondary teachers’ and pupils’ experiences of local, urban outdoor learning. Paper presented at Urban Nature: Inclusive learning through school work and youth work’. European Institute of Adventure Education and Experiential Learning, The Swedish school of Sport and Health Science, Stockholm, June 5th-9th.
Higgins, P. & Christie, B. (2012) Raising attainment through learning outside the classroom: In search of the holy grail? Council for Learning Outside the Classroom. Annual Conference, Doncaster. [Keynote address]
Christie, B., Higgins, P., Beames, S., and Nicol, R. (2011) Current trends and future directions: Exploring the Role of outdoor learning. Edukacja przygodą Conference in Teresin, Warsaw, Poland, 14-15 October 2011 [Presented by Beth Christie - Keynote address]
Higgins, P., Christie, B. & Geyer, J. (2011) Green is good for you! The role of 'greenspace' in promoting physical activity, health, wellbeing, and sustainable development education. Invited Closing session of Health, Wellbeing and Nutrition Cluster Research Day at Republic Polytechnic, Singapore, 7th December 2011
Christie, B. (2010) Learning in Nature: Exploring the value of residential learning experiences within Scotland's new school curriculum. Paper presented at Encountering, Exploring and Experiencing Nature in Education. European Institute of Adventure Education and Experiential Learning, CSOD, Slovenia.
Christie, B. & Higgins, P. (2010) ‘Learning places?’: Examining the potential role of outdoor learning within the new school curriculum in Scotland. Paper presented at the SERA (Scottish Educational Research Association) conference Stirling, 25th November, 2010.
Christie, B. (2009) 'Evaluation of the Greenways to Health Initiative'. Paper presented at the 'Environment, Well-Bring and Healthy Lifestyle' Conference, hosted by the Institute for Environment, Sustainability and Regeneration, University of Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent.
Christie, B. (2007) SHARE Scottish Heritage and Art Research Exchange – Interim Report. Paper presented at the Scottish Museums Federation Conference: Perth Museum 23rd April 2007.
Christie, B. & Warden, C. (2006) Talking and Thinking Floorbooks: extending outdoor experiential learning in the early years. Paper presented at the 10th International Conference on Experiential Learning, Lancaster University.
Christie, B. & Blicharski, J. (2005) Promoting wider Progression; How a £1.2 million donation supported disadvantaged students at five Scottish Higher Education Institutions. Paper presented at 14th European Access Network Annual Conference, Vienna, Austria 6th-8th July.
Christie, B. (2004). Life Effectiveness Questionnaire - a tool for research. Paper presented at the UK Outdoor Learning Research Forum, St. Martins College, Ambleside, 14th September.
Christie, B. (2001) Raising Achievement through Outward Bound. Poster presentation at Transitions, Experiential Learning and the Process of Change, 3rd Brathay Youth Conference. Brathay Hall, 17th-19th September.
Christie, B. (2001) Measuring the Immeasurable. Paper presented at Challenging Inequality through Out of School Hours Learning, 9th North Lanarkshire Raising Achievement Conference in partnership with Scottish Study Support Network, 16th May.