LSRI Appoints Dr Peter Rožič as Inaugural Director of Integral Ecology Research Network

The Laudato Si’ Research Institute (LSRI) is delighted to welcome Peter Rožič SJ as the inaugural Director of the Integral Ecology Research Network (IERN). Dr Rožič is set to lead IERN in facilitating academic initiatives and partnerships globally in integral ecology research, particularly with institutions in the Global South.

Dr Rožič’s academic journey, spanning universities such as Georgetown, Santa Clara, Ljubljana, Centre Sèvres and now Oxford, brings a wealth of expertise to LSRI. His contributions in environmental justice, leadership, and network-building as former director of Georgetown's Environmental Justice Program and of the Jesuit European Social Centre in Brussels, align perfectly with IERN's mission.

LSRI Director Dr Celia Deane-Drummond states, “Peter's experience in leadership and global networking is crucial for IERN’s mission. His approach to collaborative research with international scholars and practitioners will greatly benefit our objectives.”

Dr Rožič, a Jesuit priest, will connect IERN's work with a growing network of scholars, activists, and organizations focused on environmental issues from faith-based perspectives. Dr Patrick Goujon SJ, Senior Research Fellow in Theology and the History of Spirituality at Campion Hall, notes, “Peter’s appointment underlines our commitment to ecological research and collaboration.” Dr Christie Joseph SJ, Secretary for Jesuit Higher Education in Rome, comments, “Peter's leadership at IERN echoes the Jesuit ethos of education, environmental stewardship, and justice. His expertise will significantly enrich our global academic community, driving impactful research and fostering collaborative solutions.” Dr Joshtrom Kureethadam SDB, at the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome and the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development emphasizes the significance of IERN's mission, “In the current era of planetary emergency, IERN's emergence under Dr. Rožič's guidance at the University of Oxford stands as a prophetic voice, highlighting deep-seated inequalities and advocating for the marginalized. IERN is poised to play a pivotal role in connecting cutting-edge research for the care of our common home and one another, especially the most vulnerable in our midst. It's a call for a transformative ecological paradigm, crucial for our collective ecological conversion.”

Reflecting on his new role, Dr Rožič says, “As we collectively shape IERN in its foundational phase, we face a unique opportunity to confront urgent socio-ecological challenges through transdisciplinary research. Focused on integral ecology and addressing the needs of the most environmentally vulnerable, our aim is to forge a global academic network rooted in scientific exploration that supports practitioners and policymakers. I warmly invite scholars, scientists, and all interested parties to join us in this vital mission.”

Dr Rožič begins his role at Campion Hall, Oxford University, in December 2023.