Researchers from across the University gathered on 20 July 2026 for the Climate × Health Launch, marking the start of a new seminar series to strengthen research networks on one of the defining challenges of our time.
Convened by the Oxford Climate Research Network and supported by Reuben College's Environmental Change Theme, the series brings together researchers across disciplines to exchange ideas, showcase research and develop new collaborations.
The series builds on the momentum of the Strategic Horizons in Climate × Child Health Forum, held at the Oxford Martin School earlier this year, where researchers identified the need for a regular forum to connect colleagues across disciplines and strengthen Oxford's climate and health research community.
The inaugural seminar showcased the breadth of Oxford's climate and health research, with discussions ranging from the ethical dimensions of climate change to its impact on children's health and development.
Professor Caesar Atuire, Co-director of Oxford Global Health, challenged participants to think about climate change not only as an environmental crisis, but as an ethical one.
"Climate change is a relational failure – our failure lies in a broken relationship with our planet and other humans. To respond to vulnerabilities, we need solidarity that is grounded in mutuality. This means recognising the problem as shared and tackling the challenge together."
Professor Alan Stein, Director of the Children and Climate Initiative, spoke about the impact of climate change on young children, drawing on research from the initiative to explore how environmental shocks affect health and development in early life.
"Improving early life health and protecting children from environmental shocks in the first years of life should be a priority and has the potential to yield long-term benefits for society and health."
The inaugural seminar attracted around 30-40 researchers from across the University. Co-organised by Dr Emma Lawrance (Department of Psychiatry), Dr Sarah Briggs (Nuffield Department of Medicine) and Jasmin Abdel Ghany (Nuffield College), the series brought together participants from across Oxford’s departments and research institutes in medicine, psychiatry, geography, ethics, climate science, population health, data science and social policy.
The presentations prompted lively discussion, including the role of education in Oxford's degree programmes in preparing future researchers and practitioners to address climate and health challenges locally within the university and globally.
Further seminars will take place throughout the 2026/27 academic year, continuing to bring together researchers from across the University to share research, exchange ideas and foster new interdisciplinary collaborations.
Join the Oxford Climate Research Network to hear about future seminars and opportunities to get involved.