Top environmental scientist to headline High Sheriff’s Annual Lecture
Baroness Willis, Principal of St Edmund Hall and Professor of Biodiversity at the University of Oxford, is headlining this year’s High Sheriff’s Annual Lecture at the Weston Auditorium on Monday, 16 March. Her talk, Nurture through Nature, rooted in the research behind her acclaimed book Good Nature, will outline the scientific mechanisms showing how everyday encounters with nature - from birdsong and greenery to scent and tactile experiences - trigger measurable biological responses.
Her lecture comes amid rising national interest in the health impacts of the natural environment, positioning Hertfordshire at the forefront of public debate.
“The evidence is unequivocal: access to nature isn’t a luxury, but a fundamental pillar of our physical and mental wellbeing,” says Baroness Willis. “As urbanisation accelerates, it becomes increasingly urgent that planning, public health and sustainability agendas prioritise bringing nature into our towns, workplaces and schools.”
Following the Nurture through Nature lecture, Baroness Willis will be joined by the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Nicholas Buxton; Sue Stuart-Smith, psychiatrist, psychotherapist and author of the Sunday Times bestseller of The Well‑Gardened Mind; and Dr Frances Harris, Reader in Education and the Environment at the University of Hertfordshire for a panel discussion.
Chaired by Professor Wendy Wills, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at the University of Hertfordshire, the discussion will look ahead to the expanding economic and employment opportunities created by nature‑based interventions. Speakers will explore how green infrastructure, ecological restoration and environmental innovation are opening up new markets, while highlighting the critical role of robust scientific evidence in shaping effective policy and guiding responsible investment.
The session aims to challenge assumptions about the value of nature and highlight the opportunities for Hertfordshire to lead in this emerging space.
Nicholas Buxton, the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, said:
“This lecture could not be timelier. As communities across Hertfordshire look for ways to build healthier, fairer and more resilient places to live, Baroness Willis's insights remind us that nature must be part of the solution. I'm delighted to support this opportunity for academics, policymakers, charities, community leaders, and members of the public to explore how nature can promote resilience and wellbeing both for those facing challenges in their lives and for the wider community.”
Nurture through Nature takes place on 16 March at 18:30 in the Weston Auditorium on the University of Hertfordshire’s De Havilland Campus in Hatfield. The event is free to attend, and seats are available on a first‑come, first‑served basis, with booking closing on Tuesday, 10th March. Book your ticket here.