January
Professor Tim Palmer named CBE in Her Majesty The Queen’s New Year's Honours, for services to science.
Oxford Biosymposium concludes that 'Economics must not supersede ethics when valuing biodiversity'
The Oxford Martin School led the University of Oxford's IdeasLab at the World Economic Forum's Davos meeting in January.
February
We announced our newest research programme, to investigate impact of technological change on economies and societies. The Oxford Martin Programme on Technology and Employment is being led by Dr Carl Benedikt Frey and Professor Michael Osborne and is funded by Citi.
A new report from the Oxford Martin School and Citi calls for long term thinking to mitigate the negative effects of an ever more automated and digital economy.
March
The UK’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies, delivered a stark warning on the dangers of antibiotic resistance at her Oxford Martin School lecture.
The Oxford Martin School hosted hundreds of events as Festival Ideas Partner for the FT Weekend Oxford Literary Festival.
April
Professor Tony Atkinson launched his new and ground-breaking book ‘Inequality: What Can Be Done?’
Work of the Human Rights for Future Generations contributed to the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, which received Royal Assent. It is the first law of its kind to be passed worldwide.
May
Three Oxford Martin School academics elected as Fellows of the Royal Society – Professor Henry Snaith, Professor Gero Miesenböck and Professor Jane Langdale.
Professor Susan Lea elected to European Molecular Biology Organisation
Former climate commissioner, Connie Hedegaard delivers optimistic talk on climate negoations.
New Oxford Martin Policy Paper launched. ‘Short-Lived Promise? The Science and Policy of Cumulative and Short-Lived Climate Pollutants’ tackles the issues involved in prioritising short-lived over long-lived climate pollutants.
June
Professor Gero Miesenböck received a highly prestigious Wellcome Trust Investigator Award.
Professor Sir Tony Atkinson announced as chair of the new World Bank Commission on Global Poverty
July
We launched the Net Zero Carbon Investment Initiative. The year-long programme, led by Professor Myles Allen and Professor Cameron Hepburn involves working with investors and industry to create a set of criteria for safe fossil fuel investment.
New research from The George Institute shows that childhood cancer incidence rises with increasing birth weight.
Professor Kathy Willis awarded the Royal Society Faraday Prize.
August
Professor Sir Tony Atkinson awarded the 2015 EIB prize for excellence in economic and social research.
Professor Nick Bostrom awarded a €2 million Advanced Grant by the European Research Council (ERC) for research into improving the way humanity prepares for speculative but potentially catastrophic threats.
September
A new vaccine against Meningitis B is added to the NHS Childhood Immunisation Programme. Oxford Martin School academics including Professor Andrew Pollard were involved in the research that underpinned the development of the vaccine.
Professor Cameron Hepburn receives Advance Global Australian award.
Blood pressure linked to diabetes in major new study from the George Institute.
October
Our 10th anniversary report, Ideas into Action, is launched.
We announced three new research programmes, each created in response to a call from the School for research within the theme 'Global Commons, Collective Responsibilities and Market Failures'.
HIV researchers, led by Professor John Frater, find that ‘biomarkers’ can predict virus remission in patients.
The “exciting and attractive” prospect of a global transition to a low carbon economy was set out by Lord Nicholas Stern in his Oxford Martin School lecture.
Scientists collate new evidence on harm to bee populations from pesticides in latest Oxford Martin Restatement.
Lord Rees delivers Oxford Martin School 10th Anniversary lecture.
November
The Net Zero Carbon Investment Initiative launches working principles for climate-conscious investment decisions launched at Paris summit.
Landmark research by The George Institute for Global Health found that an increase in the number of steps walked each day has a direct correlation with long term mortality.
December
A new clinical trial, led by Professor John Frater, announced. It will investigate whether HIV can be cured by waking a ‘reservoir’ of cells infected with sleeping virus and killing them using the immune system.
This opinion piece reflects the views of the author, and does not necessarily reflect the position of the Oxford Martin School or the University of Oxford. Any errors or omissions are those of the author.