Department: Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS)
Talks:

Friday 5 December 2025

Cell shapes, migration and mechanics determine pattern formation during development
Date: 5 December 2025, 11:00 - 12:00
Speaker : Dr Lakshmi Balasubramaniam (University of Cambridge)
Venue: Mathematical Institute, Woodstock Road OX2 6GG
Venue Details: L4
Organiser: Sara Jolliffe (University of Oxford)
Host: Carles Falco I Gandia (University of Oxford)

Earth's Climate as an Evolutionary Agent: Quantifying Temperature Change Across Major Diversification Events
Date: 5 December 2025, 12:00 - 13:00
Speaker : Dr Kristin Bergmann (MIT)
Venue: Department of Earth Sciences, South Parks Road OX1 3AN
Venue Details: Seminar rooms
Organisers: TBA
Hosts: TBA

Wednesday 10 December 2025

Coaching Skills for Leaders
Date: 10 December 2025, 9:30 - 13:00
Speaker s: Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division), Louisa Trevail (University of Oxford)
Venue Details: Garden Room
Organiser: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)
Host: Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division)

Monday 15 December 2025

MPLS Researcher Conference: AI & Ethics - January 15th 2026
Date: 15 December 2025, 17:00 - 17:30
Speaker s: Professor Tom Stoneham (University of York), Dr Heloise Stevance (Schmidt AI in Science Fellow, University of Oxford), Professor Gemma Derrick (AI, Ethics & Research Culture, University of Bristol.), Dr Caroline Green (AI & Ethics Institute, Oxford.)
Venue: Mathematical Institute, Woodstock Road OX2 6GG
Venue Details: On booking
Organisers: Natia Sopromadze (Research Culture Facilitator, University of Oxford), Professor Dimitra Rigopoulou (University of Oxford), Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division)
Hosts: TBA

Tuesday 16 December 2025

Biology Christmas Lecture 2025 - Seismic Senses: from Spiders to Elephants - IN PERSON
Date: 16 December 2025, 17:15 - 18:15
Speaker : Dr Beth Mortimer (University of Oxford)
Venue Details: Life and Mind Building, Lecture theatre 1, lower ground floor
Organiser: Dr Sarah Hilton (University of Oxford)
Host: Professor Martin Maiden (University of Oxford)

Biology Christmas Lecture 2025 - Seismic Senses: from Spiders to Elephants - ONLINE
Date: 16 December 2025, 17:15 - 18:15
Speaker : Dr Beth Mortimer (University of Oxford)
Venue Details: Microsoft Teams
Organiser: Dr Sarah Hilton (University of Oxford)
Host: Professor Martin Maiden (University of Oxford)

Monday 12 January 2025

From Flatland to Cannonballs – designing historical lessons and workshops for secondary school pupils & their teachers
Date: 12 January 2026, 17:00 - 18:00
Speaker : Snezana Lawrence (Independent Scholar)
Venue: Mathematical Institute, Woodstock Road OX2 6GG
Venue Details: C1
Organiser: Christopher Hollings (University of Oxford)
Hosts: TBA

Wednesday 21 January 2025

Scientific Writing - Core Skills (in-person)
Date: 21 January 2026, 9:30 - 17:00
Speaker : Dr David Jones (Dr David Jones)
Venue Details: upon booking
Organiser: James Cunning (University of Oxford)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Thursday 22 January 2025

Interviewing for podcasts
Date: 22 January 2026, 9:30 - 12:30
Speaker : Emily Elias (Podcast Producer)
Venue Details: Online
Organiser: Dr Catherine Seed (University of Oxford)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Sociality, heterogeneity, organisation and leadership in animal groups
Date: 22 January 2026, 14:00 - 15:00
Speaker : Prof Andrew King (Swansea University)
Venue Details: Seminar room 7 & 8, Life and Mind Building, South Parks Road, OX1 3EL
Organisers: TBA
Host: Dr Katie Dunkley (University of Oxford)

Friday 23 January 2025

To be announced
Date: 23 January 2026, 11:00 - 12:00
Speaker : Prof Marie-Therese Wolfram (University of Warwick)
Venue: Mathematical Institute, Woodstock Road OX2 6GG
Venue Details: L4
Organisers: TBA
Host: Stephanie Abo (University of Oxford)

Monday 26 January 2025

Responsible Research and Innovation
Date: 26 January 2026, 9:30 - 17:00
Speaker s: Sarah Callaghan (Research Practice Group, University of Oxford), Sally Charles (University of Oxford)
Venue Details: upon booking
Organiser: Alison Trinder (University of Oxford)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Tuesday 27 January 2025

Advanced presentation skills (in-person)
Date: 27 January 2026, 9:30 - 12:30
Speaker : Dr David Jones (Dr David Jones)
Venue Details: TBC
Organiser: Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Wednesday 28 January 2025

Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Training Session (in-person)
Date: 28 January 2026, 9:30 - 12:30
Speaker : Dr Catherine Seed (University of Oxford)
Venue Details: On booking
Organiser: Dr Catherine Seed (University of Oxford)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Thursday 29 January 2025

Managing difficult situations
Date: 29 January 2026, 9:30 - 12:30
Speaker s: Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division), Alison Trinder (University of Oxford)
Venue Details: on booking
Organiser: Alison Trinder (University of Oxford)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Podcast your science (in-person)
Date: 29 January 2026, 9:30 - 12:30
Speaker : Emily Elias (Podcast Producer)
Venue Details: On booking
Organiser: Dr Catherine Seed (University of Oxford)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

A Collectivist, Economic Perspective on AI
Date: 29 January 2026, 15:30 - 16:30
Speaker : Professor Michael I. Jordan (Inria Paris and University of California, Berkeley)
Venue Details: Large Lecture Theatre, Department of Statistics
Organisers: Beverley Lane (Department of Statistics, University of Oxford), Professor Simon Myers (University of Oxford)
Hosts: Professor Frank Windmeijer (University of Oxford), Professor Simon Myers (University of Oxford)

Friday 30 January 2025

To be announced
Date: 30 January 2026, 11:00 - 12:00
Speaker
Venue: Mathematical Institute, Woodstock Road OX2 6GG
Venue Details: L4
Organisers: TBA
Hosts: TBA

Monday 2 February 2025

Is the bacterial accessory genome adaptive?
Date: 2 February 2026, 13:30 - 14:30
Speaker : Dr John Lees (Welcome Genome Campus Hinxton)
Venue Details: Life and Mind Building, South Parks Road, OX1 3EL, seminar rooms 7 & 8, Lower Ground Floor
Organiser: Andrea Kastner (Department of Biology)
Host: Professor Sam Sheppard (INEOS Oxford Institute and Department of Biology, University of Oxford)

Tuesday 3 February 2025

Title TBC
Status: This talk is in preparation - details may change
Date: 3 February 2026, 15:00 - 16:00
Speaker
Organisers: TBA
Hosts: TBA

Wednesday 4 February 2025

Get that grant (in-person)
Date: 4 February 2026, 9:30 - 12:30
Speaker : Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division)
Venue Details: On booking
Organiser: Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Friday 6 February 2025

Phase transition in collective dynamics
Date: 6 February 2026, 11:00 - 12:00
Speaker : Prof Sara Merino-Aceituno (Universitat Wien)
Venue: Mathematical Institute, Woodstock Road OX2 6GG
Venue Details: L4
Organisers: TBA
Host: Dr Maria Bruna (University of Oxford)

Wednesday 11 February 2025

How to do a Career Development Review, for reviewers (in-person)
Date: 11 February 2026, 9:30 - 11:00
Speaker : Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division)
Venue Details: TBC
Organiser: Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Thursday 12 February 2025

Engaging with controversial and sensitive topics
Date: 12 February 2026, 13:00 - 14:30
Speaker : Hana Ayoob (Hana Ayoob)
Venue Details: Online
Organiser: Dr Catherine Seed (University of Oxford)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Friday 13 February 2025

To be announced
Date: 13 February 2026, 11:00 - 12:00
Speaker : Dr Leonard Dekens (Francis Crick Institute)
Venue: Mathematical Institute, Woodstock Road OX2 6GG
Venue Details: L4
Organisers: TBA
Host: Prof Jose Carrillo (University of Oxford)

Wednesday 18 February 2025

Negotiation & Influencing Skills
Date: 18 February 2026, 9:30 - 17:00
Speaker : Anne Gallagher (Leapfrog Training & Development)
Venue Details: TBC
Organiser: Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Thursday 19 February 2025

How to prepare for a Career Development Review, for reviewees (in-person)
Date: 19 February 2026, 8:30 - 11:00
Speaker : Jarlath Brine (University of Oxford)
Venue Details: TBC
Organiser: Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Project management: the essentials
Date: 19 February 2026, 9:30 - 16:00
Speaker : Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division)
Venue Details: TBC
Organiser: Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Friday 20 February 2025

To be announced
Date: 20 February 2026, 11:00 - 12:00
Speaker : Dr Noemi Picco (Swansea University)
Venue: Mathematical Institute, Woodstock Road OX2 6GG
Venue Details: L4
Organisers: TBA
Host: Stephanie Abo (University of Oxford)

Wednesday 25 February 2025

Get that job
Date: 25 February 2026, 9:30 - 13:00
Speaker : Suzi Black (University of Oxford)
Venue Details: TBC
Organiser: Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

You and your Supervisor
Date: 25 February 2026, 10:00 - 13:00
Speaker : Dr Molly Grace (University of Oxford)
Venue Details: On booking
Organiser: James Cunning (University of Oxford)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Thursday 26 February 2025

Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Training Session (in-person)
Date: 26 February 2026, 10:00 - 12:00
Speaker : Dr Catherine Seed (University of Oxford)
Venue Details: upon booking
Organiser: Dr Catherine Seed (University of Oxford)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Friday 27 February 2025

To be announced
Date: 27 February 2026, 11:00 - 12:00
Speaker : Dr Robert Van Gorder (University of Otago)
Venue: Mathematical Institute, Woodstock Road OX2 6GG
Venue Details: L4
Organisers: TBA
Host: Dr Radek Erban (University of Oxford)

Monday 2 March 2025

Developing Sustainable Public Health Policy Through and Beyond Mathematical Modelling
Date: 2 March 2026, 13:30 - 14:30
Speaker : Joaquin Prada (University of Surrey)
Venue Details: Life and Mind Building, South Parks Road, Seminar Rooms 7 & 8
Organisers: TBA
Host: Dr Anna Borlase (Department of Biology/Oxford)

Tuesday 3 March 2025

Scientific Writing - Core Skills (in-person)
Date: 3 March 2026, 9:30 - 17:00
Speaker : Dr David Jones (Dr David Jones)
Venue Details: upon booking
Organiser: James Cunning (University of Oxford)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Thursday 5 March 2025

Getting Started in Public & Community Engagement with Research (online)
Date: 5 March 2026, 14:00 - 15:00
Speaker : Dr Catherine Seed (University of Oxford)
Venue Details: ONLINE
Organiser: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Friday 6 March 2025

Identifiability of Stochastic and Spatial Models in Mathematical Biology
Date: 6 March 2026, 11:00 - 12:00
Speaker : Alex Browning (University of Melbourne)
Venue: Mathematical Institute, Woodstock Road OX2 6GG
Venue Details: L4
Organisers: TBA
Host: Giulia Celora (University of Oxford)

Tuesday 10 March 2025

Thriving in Research: core strategic skills and mindsets for research impact (in-person)
Date: 10 March 2026, 10:00 - 17:00
Speaker : Natacha Wilson (Director Cambridge Insights)
Venue Details: TBC
Organiser: Dr Catherine Seed (University of Oxford)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Wednesday 11 March 2025

Get that fellowship (in-person)
Date: 11 March 2026, 9:30 - 12:30
Speaker : Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division)
Organiser: Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Friday 13 March 2025

Stop abusing Turing
Date: 13 March 2026, 11:00 - 12:00
Speaker : Dr Thomas Woolley (Cardiff University)
Venue: Mathematical Institute, Woodstock Road OX2 6GG
Venue Details: L4
Organisers: TBA
Host: Josh Moore (University of Oxford)

Tuesday 17 March 2025

How to peer review journal papers (in-person)
Date: 17 March 2026, 14:00 - 17:00
Speaker : Dr David Jones (Dr David Jones)
Venue Details: upon booking
Organiser: James Cunning (University of Oxford)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Wednesday 18 March 2025

Time Management
Date: 18 March 2026, 10:00 - 12:00
Speaker s: Dr Catherine Seed (University of Oxford), James Cunning (University of Oxford)
Venue Details: zoom
Organiser: James Cunning (University of Oxford)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Thursday 19 March 2025

Viva practice and preparation (in-person)
Date: 19 March 2026, 10:00 - 13:00
Speaker : Dr Molly Grace (University of Oxford)
Venue Details: On booking
Organiser: James Cunning (University of Oxford)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Telling stories that matter: communicating your research through story
Date: 19 March 2026, 10:00 - 16:00
Speaker : Robert Holtom (Narrative Coach)
Venue Details: On booking
Organiser: Dr Catherine Seed (University of Oxford)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Wednesday 25 March 2025

Coaching Skills for Leaders
Date: 25 March 2026, 9:30 - 13:00
Speaker s: Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division), Louisa Trevail (University of Oxford)
Venue Details: TBC
Organiser: Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Thursday 26 March 2025

Completing Your DPhil (in-person)
Date: 26 March 2026, 9:30 - 12:30
Speaker s: Professor Dimitra Rigopoulou (University of Oxford), Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division)
Venue Details: On booking
Organiser: Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Thursday 7 May 2025

Exploring the link between microsctructure, order and toughness in bioinspired composites
Date: 7 May 2026, 16:00 - 17:00
Speaker : Dr Florian Bouville (Imperial College London)
Venue: Hume-Rothery Building, Parks Road OX1 3PH
Venue Details: Hume-Rothery Lecture Theatre
Organiser: Lorraine Laird (Department of Materials)
Host: Professor Katharina Marquardt (University of Oxford)

Wednesday 27 May 2025

Project management: the essentials
Date: 27 May 2026, 9:30 - 16:00
Speaker : Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division)
Venue Details: On booking
Organiser: Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Wednesday 3 June 2025

Get that job
Date: 3 June 2026, 8:30 - 13:00
Speaker : Suzi Black (University of Oxford)
Venue Details: TBC
Organiser: Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Thursday 4 June 2025

How to prepare for a Career Development Review, for reviewees (in-person)
Date: 4 June 2026, 9:30 - 11:00
Speaker : Jarlath Brine (University of Oxford)
Venue Details: TBC
Organiser: Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Tuesday 23 June 2025

Advanced presentation skills (in-person)
Date: 23 June 2026, 9:30 - 12:30
Speaker : Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division)
Venue Details: TBC
Organiser: Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)

Wednesday 24 June 2025

Coaching Skills for Leaders
Date: 24 June 2026, 9:30 - 13:00
Speaker s: Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division), Louisa Trevail (University of Oxford)
Venue Details: TBC
Organiser: Dr Justin Hutchence (MPLS Division)
Host: MPLS Researcher Training & Development (University of Oxford)