LEAF Oxford Forum 2025

Tuesday 16 December 2025 | Life and Mind Building, University of Oxford

23 October 2025
leaf ox forum 2025 header

Join leaders from across the research community to steer the future of sustainable research practice. Share lessons from implementing the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) and help shape the next phase by connecting with the funders, industry partners and researchers driving this change. 

For the closing session we will be joined by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Irene Tracey, CBE, FRS, FMedSci, to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions of teams and individuals who have championed sustainability across Oxford’s laboratories and departments. 

Details:  

  • Tuesday 16 December 2025  
  • Life and Mind Building (LaMB), University of Oxford  
  • Time (please see full event programme below):  

12:45 - LEAF Oxford conference starts

16:15 - Showcase and celebration of achievements of colleagues, honoured by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Irene Tracey, followed by a drinks reception and photographs.

This is an in-person event with limited capacity (150 places). Early registration is strongly encouraged to secure your place. 

For more details, please contact: sustainability@admin.ox.ac.uk.

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Research is changing

As we confront a planet under strain, research must set the standard for how excellence, innovation and sustainability go hand in hand. The LEAF Oxford Forum aims to bring together researchers, practitioners, universities, suppliers and funders to explore what truly sustainable research can look like. 

Laboratories are the beating heart of discovery at Oxford. Yet they are also among the most resource-intensive activities of the University, consuming energy, water and materials at a scale that cannot be ignored. 

Researchers joining Oxford today, and those already here, are called upon to set the standard for sustainable practice embedded within Oxford’s research culture, reshaping laboratories to meet environmental challenges without compromising research excellence. 

Oxford is committed to this transformation, as part of both its broader commitment to environmental sustainability and its evolving research culture. 

Research, culture and industry

We are delighted to invite colleagues from across the University and beyond to the LEAF Oxford Conference and Celebration, a half-day event dedicated to advancing sustainable research practice and for celebrating four years of achievements through the LEAF scheme. 

Hosted in the University’s newly opened Life and Mind Building, this gathering will bring together researchers, professional services staff, funders, suppliers and other partners to reflect on Oxford’s journey toward sustainable research, explore opportunities for leadership and celebrate the achievements of our thriving community of practice. 

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LEAF Oxford Conference and Celebration

12:30–12:45 | Registration and Coffee

12:45– 1:25 | Opening session 

Welcome and setting the scene: The Concordat, LEAF and pathway to 2035

  • Tom Heel – Associate Director of Environmental Sustainability 
  • Professor Heidi Johannsen-Berg - Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Strategic Innovation   
  • Professor Martin Maiden – Head of the Department of Biology  
  • Éilish Farrelly – Towards nature positive supply chains.

1:25 –2:05 | Panel Discussion  
Mapping the future of sustainable research: key changes in research funding policy and their implications for the sustainability agenda

Chaired by Dr William (Bill) Finnegan - Head of Programmes in Lifelong Learning in Social Sciences, Oxford Lifelong Learning and Sustainability Education and Research Manager, Estates Services.

  • Andrea Hodgetts - Head of Research Sustainability, University College London 
  • Kerry Garfit  - Senior Funding Policies Adviser, Wellcome 
  • Federica Lucivero – Associate professor in ethics of technology, Big Data Institute, Oxford University, SHARE Programme 
  • Representative from CRUK

2:05-2:20 | Networking break

2:20- 3:00 | Panel Discussion 

Building Sustainable Research Ecosystems: Collaboration across sectors 

Chaired by Tom Heel – Associate Director of Environmental Sustainability 

  • Tessa O'Brien - Purchasing Manager at University of Oxford 
  • Perrine Froger - Senior Director Merk Group, Head of Strategy & Enablement Sustainability & Social Business Innovation 
  • Susan Simon - Director Capital & Estates and Chief Environmental Sustainability Officer, UKRI 
  • Caitlin Broadbent - Sustainable Research Officer, University College London.

3:05-3:55 | Working groups

Opportunities and challenges in sustainable research practices
A community co-design workshop based on shortlisted topics from the panel discussions and a survey of sustainable lab leaders. Participants will join a themed tables to engage in focused, small-group discussions aimed at exploring challenges, opportunities and actionable ideas related to their chosen topic.  

4:05-4:10 | Closing remarks

4:15-5:00 | LEAF 2024-25 celebration and showcase 

The day will close with the Vice-Chancellor Professor Irene Tracey, CBE, FRS, FMedSci, celebrating outstanding contributions to sustainability across Oxford’s laboratories and departments.   

5:00-5:30 | Drinks reception 

  • Drinks and canapes  
  • Photographs  
     

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