Annual Disability Lecture: Building an Environment for All

The Disability Advisory Group and the Equality and Diversity Unit are delighted to invite you to attend the 2025 Annual Disability Lecture.

The experience of our students and staff as they study and work is wholly bound up with the environment – physical and technical as well as social and cultural – in which we all do these things. The range of capabilities in interacting with our work environment is enormous and multidimensional. Individuals change over time. The whole question is very far from being answerable in a binary way: A has a certain disability, B does not.

At this year’s Annual Disability lecture, Professor Sam Howison will consider how an institution like Oxford University might think about these issues as it maintains, refurbishes and rebuilds its workplace. He will explore some of the challenges, complexities and compromises involved, starting from the premise that the beneficiaries of 'accessible by design', are far greater in number than simple regulatory compliance would suggest.

About the speaker:

Professor Sam Howison is an applied mathematician with a deep interest in using mathematics to help understand the world around us. His research interests are in mathematical modelling and applications of differential equations in a wide variety of topics; recent projects include models of heat transfer in electrochemical furnaces, melting of Arctic sea ice, and the microstructure of Bitcoin markets. Professor Howison has served as Head of the Mathematical Institute and, more recently, as Head of the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences division at Oxford University, as well as serving in several national organisations, including the new Academy of Mathematical Sciences. He is currently enjoying a return to teaching at Christ Church and in the Mathematical Institute.

Professor Howison said: "I am delighted to have been invited to give this year's Disability Lecture. I had the great good fortune to be Head of the Mathematical Institute during the construction of the wonderful Andrew Wiles Building and this kindled an interest in the user-facing aspects of design, which are critical for those of all abilities. I look forward to sharing this interest at the lecture."

An accessible event:

We want you to get the most out of attending this event. With this in mind, we’ve chosen a venue with accessibility features, and will also host online through Zoom. In addition:

• There will be British Sign Language interpretation for in-person and online audiences.

• There will be captioning

• The venue has level access, accessible toilets and other accessibility features.
• A quiet room will be available.

Please use the space provided in the registration form to indicate any support needs.

Contact us: Equality@admin.ox.ac.uk

Host or Publisher University of Oxford - Equality and Diversity Unit