University of Oxford: Recent Episodes
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Liesl Elder, Oxford’s Chief Development and Alumni Engagement Officer, Professor Sir Aziz Sheikh and Professor Cathy Creswell join Vice-Chancellor Professor Irene Tracey to examine the role of philanthropy in sustaining a global research university. They discuss how major gifts — from endowed chairs in primary care to a £27 million investment in child and adolescent mental health — provide the flexibility, scale and long-term security needed to build capacity, expand access to opportunity, and respond to urgent international challenges.
Three Oxford vaccine experts join Vice-Chancellor Professor Irene Tracey in the latest Fire & Wire podcast. They discuss Oxford’s critical role in the response to COVID-19, and how trust and preparedness will shape future outbreak responses. Featuring Professors Dame Sarah Gilbert, Maheshi Ramasamy and Sam Vanderslott.
In the first episode, Irene speaks to Misha Patel, DPhil student in the Department of Engineering Science, and Professor Sonia Antoranz Contera from the Department of Physics. They touch on their pathways into science as women, the importance of networks and what direction their work will take next.
Professor Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, Director of Oxford's Wellbeing Research Centre, speaks to Irene about why wellbeing matters in the workplace. He also discusses some of the latest research findings coming out of the Wellbeing Research Centre.
Irene speaks to Dr Chris Thorogood, the Head of Science at Oxford Botanic Garden, about the past, present and future of this extraordinary institution.
Mairi Gibbs, Chief Operating Officer at Oxford University Innovation and Lilly Bussmann, Principal at Oxford Science Enterprises, join Professor Irene Tracey for the latest podcast in this series to discuss innovation at Oxford.
This International Women's Day (8 March), Professor Irene Tracey sat down with women from across the University who are making a global impact with their work.
Professor Kokila Lakhoo, Dr Isang Awah and Professor Katrina Charles joined the Vice-Chancellor to discuss the challenges of working in an international space and the difficulties impacting the retention of women in academia.
On the latest Fire and Wire, the Vice-Chancellor and her guests discuss a new cross-curricular teaching and learning experience for undergraduates at Oxford. Launched last term, The Vice-Chancellor’s Colloquium − Climate brought together 200 undergraduates and Oxford’s world-leading academics from across the Humanities, Social Sciences and STEM subjects to tackle the global climate crisis. Programme lead, Bill Finnegan, joins Pablo Mukherjee, Professor of Anglophone World-Literature, and first-year students, Michał Pietrzak and Erin Adlard, to discuss the initiative from their personal perspectives.
University of Oxford Vice-Chancellor Irene Tracey speaks to the team at the Oxford Robotics Institute to understand their work on the forefront of artificial intelligence and "robots for good".
She speaks to Nick Hawes, Director of the Oxford Robotics Institute, and Ingmar Posner, who is Professor of Robotics and the Institute’s co-founder. She wrestles a robot with post-doctorate researcher Alex Mitchell, and learns about robot sensing with Perla Maiolino and Maurice Fallon. Nick and Irene talk about the institute’s future, and how the hard work of robotics affects recruitment to the sector and the prospects for robots in our homes.
University of Oxford Vice-Chancellor Irene Tracey sits down with Professor Alexander Betts, Professor of Forced Migration and International Affairs. He is also the University's Local and Global Engagement Officer in the Vice-Chancellor's Office.
He shares insight into the critical work being done by Oxford to offer opportunities and pathways to refugees as part of the University's status as a Sanctuary, as well as other engagement efforts on local and international scales.
In this episode of Fire and Wire, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Irene Tracey speaks with Oxford experts on the University’s interdisciplinary approach to climate research:
Professor Helen Johnson presents the Oxford Climate Research Network, which fosters collaboration across departments to tackle both climate mitigation and adaptation.
Dr Roberta Wilkinson highlights a recent global summit co-hosted by Oxford and the UN, focusing on climate and human rights, and amplifying voices from vulnerable communities.
Professor Lavanya Rajamani explains the growing role of human rights law in climate litigation, referencing a ground-breaking legal case led by Swiss elderly women.
The discussion emphasises the need for interdisciplinary solutions and Oxford’s proactive stance in shaping global climate responses.
In the sixth episode of the series, Vicky talks to Professor Heather Harrington from the University of Oxford’s Mathematical Institute.
They explore how techniques from algebra and topology are being used to identify patterns in cancer data, giving a more nuanced understanding than has previously been possible.
They also look at the creative thinking required of mathematicians, and the importance of collaboration between different fields.
In the fifth episode of the series, Vicky talks to Professor Helen Byrne, Professor of Mathematical Biology at the University of Oxford’s Mathematical Institute, and Senior Group Leader at the Oxford Branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research.
They discuss Professor Byrne’s research which focuses on mathematical modelling and biology, and how modelling can provide predictive tools for growth and response to treatment of solid tumours.
Here, they also cover how the fast-moving field of topological data analysis is informing cancer treatments such as radiotherapy and immunotherapy, and Professor Byrne’s role bridging the divide between mathematics and other fields.
In the fourth episode of the series, Vicky talks to Professor Hannah Fry – mathematician, science presenter and ‘all-round badass’.
Presenter of the 2022 BBC2 documentary Making Sense of Cancer with Hannah Fry, Professor Fry talks to Vicky about the difficulties of using probabilities in using medical statistics and the importance of asking the right questions when it comes to the risks involved with cancer treatment.
Here, they discuss how their own experiences have shaped their perspectives, and the tough choices that face those making decisions on cancer care and the different treatment options available.
In the third episode of the series, Vicky talks to Dr Tom Whyntie, Teaching Fellow in the Department of Oncology and Director of Studies for the MSc Radiation Biology at the University of Oxford.
Here, they explore Dr Whyntie’s career – from his work as a particle physicist on the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, to using medical imaging to improve cancer treatments.
They discuss how mathematics is being used to optimise cancer care, and how to make sense of the ‘epic amounts of data’ behind the technology.
In the second episode of the series, Vicky talks to Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter, Chair of the Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence Communication at the University of Cambridge.
A leading statistician, and author, Professor Spiegelhalter discusses his work on the successful Predict tools for breast and prostate cancer, which help patients make informed decisions about their cancer treatment.
Vicky and Professor Spiegelhalter explore the role of statisticians in communicating risk to the public, and how patients can be empowered to engage with clinicians in a meaningful way when weighing up the benefits and risks of treatment.
Here, they also talk about the human side of cancer, and the care that is needed when communicating cancer risks.
In the first episode of the series, Vicky talks to Philip Maini, Director of the Wolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology and Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford.
Here, they discuss how mathematical modelling can help researchers and doctors to improve the quality of life for people receiving cancer treatment.
Their conversation covers how mathematical modelling can be used in calculating tumour growth and treatment scenarios. They explore the application of modelling to treatment dosages and clinical trials, as well its importance in surgical approaches to tumour and tissue removal.
They also discuss Professor Maini's own career and extensive work mentoring students. Highlighting the collaborative nature of modelling in cancer research, Professor Maini indicates that this is an area where mathematics and science meet to ‘move the knowledge forward’.
Professor Yadvinder Malhi explains a key part of the philosophy behind all his work
[Photo (C) Yadvinder Malhi]
Professor Malhi on why going to Wytham Woods is his new therapy.
[Photo (C) Shutterstock]
Professor Malhi talks about how we can connect the university with its surroundings.
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Professor Malhi talks about how he set up a vertical science laboratory from the Andes to the Amazon.
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Professor Malhi explains why we can expect a lot to change in the next decade.
[Photo (C) Yadvinder Malhi]
Professor Malhi explains why conservation needs a positive agenda.
[Photo (C) Yadvinder Malhi]
Yadvinder Malhi remembers a year spent in India as a child.
[Photo (C) Yadvinder Malhi]
Kay Davies on searching for a major genetic breakthrough to help find a treatment for muscular dystrophy.
Fredi Otto on how climate change hits the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people hardest.
Professor Philip Stier argues that there is still so much more to learn about the effects of climate change on clouds and extreme weather.
[Photo (C) Shutterstock]
Professor Philip Stier conveys the urgency of reaching Net Zero.
[Photo (C) Shutterstock]
Professor Philip Stier unpicks the big unknowns of clouds, aerosols and climate change.
[Photo (C) Shutterstock]
Professor Philip Stier describes how his early work created new schemes of aerosols and clouds for climate modelling.
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Professor Philip Stier reveals how even as a young boy he was a committed environmentalist.
[Photo (C) Shutterstock]
Professor Philip Stier explains how clouds are formed and why aerosols affect their form and function.
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Professor Philip Stier shares how his love of learning about the environment all began.
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Melinda Mills explains how her multi-disciplinary team rose to the challenge of producing important evidence at speed to help inform public health measures during COVID-19.
[Photo (C) John Cairns]
Melinda Mills reflects on the rapid change of pace of research influencing policy during Covid times.
[Photo (C) John Cairns]
Melinda Mills celebrates science – and science at Oxford – for helping to find a way out of the pandemic.
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Melinda Mills encourages flexibility in adapting research to changing situations.
[Photo (C) John Cairns]
Melinda Mills on how her Centre's research quickly came to the forefront of the research response to COVID-19.
[Photo (C) Shutterstock]
Professor Cameron Hepburn details some of the latest science that is capturing carbon and storing it forever.
[Photo (C) John Cairns]
Professor Cameron Hepburn shares why environmental economics appealed more than tinkering with interest rates.
[Photo (C) Shutterstock/Karoly]
Professor Cameron Hepburn declares that the time for delay has past.
[Photo (C) Cameron Hepburn]
Professor Cameron Hepburn reveals how green choices are getting cheaper and cheaper.
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Professor Cameron Hepburn explains why Oxford is a fertile ground for climate change research.
[Image (C) John Cairns]
Professor Cameron Hepburn on why the shift to green energy must be a just transition.
[Photo (C) Shutterstock]
Professor Martin Landray details how the RECOVERY trial was born in days and produced results weeks later.
[Image (C) John Cairns, of Professors Martin Landray and Peter Horby outside their Oxford office]
Professor Martin Landray explains what makes Oxford a special place to work.
[Image (C) John Cairns]
Professor Nathalie Seddon shares her hope for a brighter future for all by harnessing the power of nature to find solutions.
[Photo (C) Nathalie Seddon, of the Peruvian jungle, where she hid from 'Shining Path' guerillas.]
Professor Nathalie Seddon shares her hope for a brighter future for all by harnessing the power of nature to find solutions.
[Image (C) Nathalie Seddon, of the Boabab trees in Madagascar]
Going to university is expensive, but Oxford is committed to ensuring that no one who is offered a place is unable to study here for financial reasons. Around one in four UK/EU undergraduate students currently receives a bursary and together our University and its colleges do their best to make sure that financial worries do not affect your time here. Hear Oxford Students talk about how they manage their finances, and the help they receive.