Hosted by the Oxford Climate Research Network (OCRN), the Strategic Horizons in Climate x Health Research forum convened academics, policy leaders, funders and external partners to strengthen Oxford’s position in this rapidly evolving field.
The event provided an initial platform to build a shared understanding of emerging funding priorities, strategies and collaboration models. It also created space for participants from across disciplines to identify synergies and develop potential joint initiatives.
Professor Helen Johnson, Academic Convener for OCRN, opened the forum with an introduction to the network. The University of Oxford’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Irene Tracey, delivered the keynote address, outlining the University’s strategic vision and commitment to advancing work at the intersection of climate and health.
A series of presentations from major funders followed, offering insight into current and future funding landscapes. The session, facilitated by Professor Regent Lee (Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences), included contributions from:
- Dr Alan Dangour, Wellcome Trust
- Kristina Tanso, Global Center on Adaptation
- Dr Sophia Lentzos, NIHR
- Martin Uriarte, European Commission
- Dr SanYuMay Tun, Planetary Health Alliance
Researchers from across Oxford then showcased their work, highlighting the breadth of expertise spanning health, policy, data science, ethics and sustainability. Speakers included representatives from NHS England, the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, and the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, among others.
An open discussion session, facilitated by Dr SanYuMay Tun and Tamara Lucas (World Health Organization), focused on identifying priority initiatives, key collaborators, and next steps for building momentum in this space.
The forum concluded with a networking reception, enabling further discussion and connection.
Reflecting on the event, Professor Regent Lee said: 'This Climate x Health symposium showcased the interdisciplinary and reach of the Oxford Climate Research Network. We were thrilled to have the Vice-Chancellor’s commitment to supporting work in this area. It was also reassuring to hear of continued investment from major funders such as the Wellcome Trust, the European Commission and NIHR.'
Professor Helen Johnson added: 'The next steps are to build on these initial discussions by creating further opportunities for dialogue. For example, OCRN hopes to host an informal lunch for those interested in coalescing around specific questions and/or funding opportunities. We also plan to seek volunteers to run a monthly seminar series in climate x health, to help develop relationships that might underpin future collaborative endeavours.'
View the full agenda (PDF)