The Bodleian Libraries and the British Journal of Photography (BJP) unveiled a new photographic portrait series, entitled ‘Catalysts’, last month. The series is made up of 19 portraits, highlighting members of the University whose work has been identified as “driving meaningful change”, according to a Bodleian Libraries press statement.
These sitters range from leading academics and clinicians to senior figures in science and arts, including Professor Steve Strand, Shadreck Chirikure, Rajesh Thakker, and Rachel Upthegrove, alongside public health leaders such as Sir Peter Horby, Dame Molly Stevens, and Sir Adrian Hill. They are joined by researchers and humanities scholars including Philip K. Maini, Nandini Das, Krina Zondervan, Teresa Lambe, Dr Samina Khan, Anne Davies, and Alain Fouad George.
The shortlist of sitters also reflects collective and interdisciplinary work, with projects spanning cultural collections, climate training and global engagement, including Gardens, Libraries, and Museums (GLAM), Global Youth Climate Training, We Are Our History, the Africa Oxford Initiative and REACH, “a research team improving water security for vulnerable communities”.
The Bodleian Libraries told Cherwell that sitters were selected by a “panel representing the University community, including students, colleges, and divisions, and the editor of BJP”. This panel included senior University officials and Richard Ovenden, head of the Bodleian Libraries.
The shortlist of sitters was selected using criteria that included recipients of internationally recognised honours between 2024 and 2025, those shortlisted for the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards 2024/25, and individuals whose work has pushed the boundaries of their discipline, regardless of field or specialism, including through interdisciplinary approaches. Priority was given to work that makes a generous contribution to society and improves lives across a wide range of settings beyond academia.
The series was created by three photographers Alys Tomlinson, Francis Augusto, and Leia Morrison, with diverse photographic and artistic approaches. Tomlinson said: “Working with such brilliant minds was an exciting prospect, and I found everyone to be incredibly approachable and down-to-earth.”The project was funded by the Guy and Elinor Meynell Charitable Trust, which provides grants to charitable organisations for projects related to the arts. The portraits will first be displayed at the South Parks Road Reader entrance of the Weston Library. ‘Catalysts’ will also be exhibited to the public and members of the University at several events this year, with more details to be announced soon.
