HEARTH Launch Event

When: Tuesday 6 May 2025 | 9.30am – 1.30pm

Where: Oxford Brookes University, Oxford

On 6 May 2025, we officially launched the £7.4 million UKRI/NIHR funded HEARTH Research Hub on Net Zero, Health and Extreme Heat at Oxford Brookes University.

The invite-only event brought together leading researchers, policymakers, and public health experts to explore how we can safeguard health and well-being in a warming world - particularly for those in vulnerable settings. Highlights of the day included:

• Keynote speeches from the UK Health Security Agency, the Medical Research Council, and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero;

• Insightful presentations showcasing HEARTH’s interdisciplinary workstreams;

• A powerful panel discussion focused on bridging research, health, and policy.

  
  

Professor Joe Tah (Oxford Brookes University) delivered the welcome address. Attendees also enjoyed lively networking and knowledge sharing over lunch. We extend our sincere thanks to the keynote speakers, panelists, and the wider HEARTH team for making this such a thought-provoking and energising event.

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Agenda

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Professor Rajat Gupta, Oxford Brookes University

Professor Joe Tah, Oxford Brookes University

Overview of HEARTH Research Hub

Professor Rajat Gupta, Oxford Brookes University

Keynotes

Chair: Professor Isabel Oliver, Chief Medical Officer for Wales

Realising the health co-benefits of the transition to net zero

Dr Graham Campbell, Medical Research Council

Protecting health from adverse heat at UKHSA

Dr Mo Davies, UK Health Security Agency

Bridging Research and Policy: Navigating the Policy Landscape

Dr Sarah Robinson, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

HEARTH Work Streams and Cross-cutting themes

Professor Cathryn Birch, University of Leeds

Dr Clare Heaviside, University College London

Professor Shakoor Hajat, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Professor Mike Davies, University College London

Professor Ruth Doherty, University of Edinburgh

Professor Rajat Gupta, Oxford Brookes University

Panel Discussion: Net Zero, Health and Extreme Heat in the context of Vulnerable Settings

Chair: Professor Mike Davies, University College London

Dr Graham Campbell, Medical Research Council

Jennifer Ekelund, National Institute for Healthcare and Research

Professor Shakoor Hajat, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Dale Hoyland, Oxfordshire County Council

Professor Anna Mavrogianni, University College London

Susie Vernon, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

Closing Remarks

Professor Rajat Gupta, Oxford Brookes University