A new portrait collection honoring some of Oxford University’s most influential innovators has been revealed.

The project, called Catalysts, is a collaboration between the Bodleian Libraries and the British Journal of Photography. As part of this initiative, 19 new portraits will join the permanent collection at the Weston Library.

Among those featured are prominent figures such as Sir Adrian Hill, director of the Jenner Institute, known for his work on malaria vaccines and the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, and Professor Krina Zondervan, whose research on endometriosis has shaped modern approaches to women’s reproductive health.

According to Bodley’s Librarian Richard Ovenden, the collection highlights the wide-ranging impact of Oxford’s research community and celebrates the dedication of the people driving it forward.

Portraits also include Prof Rajesh Thakker in Somerville College Library, and Dr Anne Makena and Professor Kevin Marsh in the Clarendon Building.

The Garden, Library, and Museum team (pictured in Christ Church Memorial Gardens) develop inclusive programmes for adults with learning disabilities.

The portraits were captured by photographers Alys Tomlinson, Francis Augusto, and Leia Morrison, and they showcase individuals and teams across diverse fields, including:

Prof. Shadreck Chirikure, expert in archaeological science
Prof. Sir Peter Horby, director of the Pandemic Sciences Institute
Dr. Anne Makena and Prof. Kevin Marsh, co-directors of the Africa Oxford Initiative
Alexis McGivern and Clarissa Salmon from Global Youth Climate Training, whose program has equipped 4,500 young climate advocates from 177 countries
REACH, a research group focused on improving water security in vulnerable regions of Africa and Asia
Prof. Rajesh Thakker, a leading figure in endocrinology
Prof. Rachel Upthegrove, whose psychosis studies have guided early mental health interventions for children
The Garden, Library, and Museum (GLAM) team, known for running inclusive cultural programs for adults with learning disabilities across Oxford’s museums and libraries

This portrait series aims to deepen public understanding of the people behind major scientific, cultural, and social advancements and to celebrate the creative and intellectual energy that drives Oxford’s work today.

Ovenden expressed deep pride in presenting the new portrait series, describing it as a meaningful addition to the library’s collection.

He emphasized that the individuals and groups featured are true catalysts—people whose contributions have driven significant progress in culture, science, and education, influencing not only the university but also the broader global community.

He added that while the project celebrates the far-reaching impact of their work, it also aims to ensure that the Bodleian Libraries’ collections represent the diverse people behind these achievements. In this way, the portraits are intended to motivate and guide future generations of scholars, activists, and innovators.

A diptych of Shadreck Chirikure, Professor of Archaeological Science, includes samples of iron production remains found in Togo.

Krina Zondervan, Professor of Reproductive and Genomic Epidemiology, was photographed at St Edmund Hall, alongside an Aphrodite exhibit from the Ashmolean Museum

Photographer Alys Tomlinson said she was excited by the chance to work with so many remarkable thinkers, noting that each person she photographed was warm, welcoming, and remarkably grounded despite their achievements.

The project was supported by a £40,000 donation provided through the Guy and Elinor Meynell Trust.