An event that investigates the impact of air pollution on health, and what solutions can be found to create cleaner cities.

Air pollution is one of the most pressing challenges facing our cities, with profound consequences for our health and the places we live and work.

This event will focus on the potential of public policy, data analysis and research, and sustainable innovations to improve public health for our future generations. What would it take to create equitable cities where everyone can breathe cleaner air?

Join Dr Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah CBE, clean air campaigner and founder of the Ella Roberta Foundation, and Professor Chris Griffiths, expert on air pollution and health; for an evening exploring both the human impact of air pollution and the solutions available to us.

Each speaker will give a short talk bringing a different perspective on the challenge, followed by a fireside conversation with Lindsay Skoll CMG, Principal of Jesus College, about how we can move from evidence and ambition to practical action and create healthier, cleaner cities for everyone.

Event Programme

17.15 Doors open

17.30 Welcome by Lindsay Skoll CMG

17.35 Talk by Dr Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah CBE

17.45 Talk by Professor Chris Griffiths

17.55 Fireside chat

18.30 Q&A with speakers

19.00 Drinks reception

19.30 Event ends

Speakers

Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah CBE FBSA

Dr Rosamund is the founder, director, and trustee of the Ella Roberta Foundation. She is one of the most prominent advocates for clean air worldwide, a powerful voice in the air pollution debate. She started campaigning as soon as she realised its role in her daughter’s death. Her determination to highlight the human cost of air pollution has led to her addressing audiences all over the world; from her recent TED Talk to conversations with other eminent environmentalist and health advocates, such as Christiana Figueres, Dr Maria Neira and Arnold Schwarzeneger. Her work frequently involves lobbying politicians, as well as medical professionals, for more education and stronger legislation when it comes to air pollution.

However, Dr Rosamund is more than just a powerful voice. She and her legal team made history when a Coroner found a direct link between her daughter’s death and the air quality near her home, 25 metres from the south circular, one of London’s busiest roads. Ella’s death certificate was amended to have air pollution listed as cause of death, potentially changing the legal landscape to enable other people to do the same.

Dr Rosamund is now a leading light in the global fight against air pollution, a position recognised by the World Health Organisation, who made her a BreatheLife Ambassador. She uses her experience and position to highlight the inequality of those affected by air pollution. She is also an Honorary Fellow of the British Science Association and was named among You Magazine’s 21 Most Extraordinary Women of 2021, British Vogue’s 25 Extraordinary Women of 2021, The Times’ Green Power List 2021 and BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour Power List 2020.

Professor Chris Griffiths

Professor Chris Griffiths is a Senior Research Fellow at Jesus College and Professor of Primary Care in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at Oxford.

After reading Physiological Sciences at Keble College, Chris took a DPhil studying the control of gut endocrine cell function and proliferation under Professor John Morris in the Department of Anatomy. He trained in Medicine at Kings School of Medicine and Dentistry. He has twice won the Royal College of General Practitioners research paper of the year (as lead and senior author). He worked as a general practitioner in Hackney, east London for 20 years, before moving to Arbury Medical Practice in Cambridge.

Chris’s research focuses on respiratory health, in particular, the health effects of air pollution. He leads the CHILL (Children's Health in London and Luton) Cohort, evaluating the impacts of London's Ultra Low Emission Zone on children's health. He is Director of the MRC-funded NEXUS global partnership, evaluating health impacts of non-exhaust pollution. With Professor Sir Aziz Sheikh, he was co-Director of the Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research (AUKCAR), and now co-Directs with him, the Centre for Applied Respiratory Research, Innovation and Impact.

Venue

This event will take place in the Cheng Kar Shun Digital Hub at Jesus College, Oxford. The Hub entrance is on Market Street (opposite Wagamama). The Hub is accessible, with automatic double doors at the entrance and lifts to and from the main lower ground floor event space.

If you have any accessibility requirements, please do contact digitalhub@jesus.ox.ac.uk and we are happy to help.

*Filming and photography will be taking place during the event. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please notify a member of the Hub team on arrival.

Please read Jesus College's Alumni & College Guest Conduct Policy (https://digitalhuboxford.com/alumni-

Description supplied by the event organiser.