Associate Fellow Professor Charles Foster shortlisted for Wainwright Prize
Associate Fellow Professor Charles Foster’s book ‘The Screaming Sky’ has been shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize for UK Nature Writing.
The awards are named after the nature writer Alfred Wainwright and celebrate books which inspire readers to explore the outdoors and nurture a respect for the natural world.
Charles’ book ‘The Screaming Sky’, published by Little Toller, is a study of Common Swifts. It documents Charles’ journey as he follows them across the world, exploring their movements.
The full shortlist of books can be found on the Wainwright Prize website.
This year’s Nature Writing judging panel is chaired by TV presenter Julia Bradbury. The winners’ ceremony will be held on 7 September at The London Wetlands Centre. Alongside the UK Nature Writing prize winner, the winner of the Wainwright Prize for Writing on Global Conservation will also be announced.
In addition to being an Associate Fellow of Green Templeton, Charles is a Visiting Professor at the Oxford Law Faculty, Senior Research Associate at the Uehiro Institute for Practical Ethics and a Research Associate at the Ethox Centre and the Helex Centre.
He is a qualified veterinarian, practising barrister and writer of both fiction and non-fiction.
Charles’ new book, ‘Being a Human: Adventures in 40,000 Years of Consciousness’ is published on 26 August. In this book, Charles sets out to understand what a human is, inhabiting the sensory worlds of humans at three pivotal points in history from hunter-gatherers to the Neolithic to the Enlightenment.
📷 The Green Templeton College Photography Competition 2026 is now open!
This year’s theme is ‘The student experience’ — and we’re looking for striking, imaginative photographs that explore this and what it means to you!
🟢 Open to: students, alumni, fellows, common room members, associate members and staff
💷 Prize: £200
📅 Deadline: Monday 1 June 2026 at 13:00
Submit up to three photos to: communications@gtc.ox.ac.uk, including when and where they were taken. We can’t wait to see your work!
Return to Green Templeton College during this year’s Meeting Minds weekend 18-20 September.
Join fellow alumni for a late summer BBQ (18) and a formal dinner (19) – two opportunities to reconnect, revisit college, and enjoy Oxford at its best time of year.
For more information and to register visit: https://www.gtc.ox.ac.uk/alumni/engage/alumni-events/
A tour of the gardens through the eyes of a 15-year-old work experience student.
Maddie Bennett from Bartholomew School in Eynsham spent last week with the communications team at college and found some friendly faces too!
Last week, the college welcomed guests for a special afternoon marking the launch of the Pirie Society.
The event celebrated the college’s new legacy society and recognised those who are considering, or have chosen, to leave a gift in their will to the college.
Their generosity will help shape the future of the college for generations to come.
Come and find out more about the Radcliffe Observatory on the south side today to coincide with Open House at @schwarzmancentre
