This Black History Month we have selected a few key titles from our collection that highlight the role of black people in history and science. We have also selected a few titles that show some of the impact of racism in these fields. Please browse our digital display and let us know if you have any recommendations.
As part of the Radcliffe Science Library (RSL) refurbishment we are planning several new developments for when the library reopens for Michaelmas Term 2023.
As part of its actions for supporting an inclusive culture the RSL is working on diversifying its portraiture and creating a space where everyone feels welcome, valued, and respected when it re-opens in Summer 2023. You can still contribute suggestions for our inclusive portraiture list. See our previous blog post for more details.
Our wellbeing room will be a space to promote wellbeing, relaxation and mindfulness. It will have comfortable furniture and a relaxing environment. The room will contain, games, crafts and books to help with your wellbeing. See our previous post for more details.
For both our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) collection and our Wellbeing collection we are looking for recommendations. We want you to have access to the books and activities that you want and need!
For EDI recommendations, please contact karine.barker@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.
For Wellbeing recommendations, please contact rachel.scanlon@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.
The Radcliffe Science Library (RSL) will be reopening for Michaelmas Term 2023 when our refurbishment is completed. Along with reading spaces, group study rooms and individual study carrels there will also be opening a Wellbeing Room, in the RSL basement. These types of spaces are becoming more popular in libraries in recent years, especially since Covid. As well as this there will be nature imagery in the room, along with jigsaws, games, crafts and sensory toys, particularly useful for neurodiverse people.
The purpose of wellbeing spaces is to promote wellbeing, relaxation and mindfulness as such the room is being designed with soft furnishings and calming colours that evoke comfort. We plan to have a range of different comfortable seating from sofas to armchairs to bean bags. We also want the space to be flexible so that the furnishings will be easy to move.
Some possible armchairs
Within the room we will have a selection of reading materials that we hope you’ll enjoy reading. Topics will include wellbeing, Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI), fiction, graphic novels and more. We are buying books now so if you have any books you would like to recommend for the wellbeing room please contact rachel.scanlon@bodleian.ox.ac.uk or for EDI recommendations please contact karine.barker@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.
The RSL have some great and exciting plans but the most important aspect of this space is getting input from the MPLS and MSD community. We’d appreciate any feedback but particularly from any student or staff who are responsible for wellness. We have already reached out to some colleagues but we are eager to hear a range of viewpoints.
These are our plans for the room. There’s a sofa in the corner (c-51) arm chairs at the front (c-18) and a table for games and crafts (T-21)
We’re are particularly interested to hear of any activities or events you would like to run in the Wellbeing room or any evnets you would like the RSL to host.
So if you have any book suggestions, ideas for activities or any thoughts on the room in general contact rachel.scanlon@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.
As part of its actions for supporting an inclusive culture, the Radcliffe Science Library (RSL) is working on diversifying its portraiture and creating a space where everyone feels welcome, valued, and respected when it re-opens in Summer 2023.
Our list of historical names is currently lacking scientists from Black, Asian, minoritised ethnic and LGBTQ+ communities connected to science and medicine at Oxford for the library re-opening in the coming summer vacation. We recognise that it may be difficult to identify individuals because the contributions and achievements of these communities have often been ignored or unfairly marginalised. However, if you know someone, let us know. We also welcome historical names from these underrepresented communities in science and medicine outside Oxford, preferably from the UK and the Commonwealth,
Please contact karine.barker@bodleian.ox.ac.uk with your suggestions.
The Radcliffe Science Library (RSL), part of the Bodleian Libraries at the University of Oxford, is committed to supporting an inclusive culture and being a space where everyone feels welcome, valued and respected when it re-opens in Summer 2023. As part of this action, the library is launching two events to celebrate and highlight past and present contribution to science and medicine at Oxford from a diverse community.
The results of the competition and nomination will be part of an exhibition display when the RSL re-opens for Michaelmas Term 2023.
To support the RSL’s commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and to coincide with the RSL’s building renovations, the library is reviewing its portraiture to represent the diverse and inclusive science community. You are invited to nominate outstanding contributions of staff, students, or groups, from MPLS or MSD, who promote equality, diversity, and inclusion through their research, outreach, or daily working practices. The achievements of the successful nominees will be celebrated in the newly refurbished RSL, as part of a rotational exhibition.
For the equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) writing competition we have a list of historical scientists for you to choose from.
Click on the name to see more information or scroll through the whole list.
Florence Buchanan (1867-1931)
Edith Bülbring (1903-1990)
Robert Burton (1577-1640)
Mabel FitzGerald (1872-1973)
Esmé Hadfield (1921-1992)
Norman Heatley (1911-2004)
Louise Johnson (1940-2012)
Margaret Pickles (1900-?)
Victoria Smallpeice (1901-1991)
Janet Vaughan (1899-1993)
Cicely Delphine Williams (1892-1992)
Acland’s Cholera map (1815-1900)
The Oxford unknown scientist(s)
Sarah Acland (1849-1930)
Madge Adam (1912-2011)
Ethel Bellamy (1881-1960)
Mary Buckland (née Morland) (1797-1857)
Ida Winifred Busbridge (1908-1988)
Mary Lucy Cartwright (1900-1998)
Lorna Ann Casselton (1938-2014)
Dorothy Mary Crowfoot Hodgkin (1910-1994)
Maud Healey (?-19?)
Jane Kirkaldy (1869-1932)
Mary Winearls Porter (1886-1980)
Marjorie Mary Sweeting (1920-1994)
James Joseph Sylvester (1814-1897)
Nikolaas Tinbergen (1907-1988)
Charlotte Trower (1855-1928)
Monica Turner (1925-2013)
The Oxford unknown scientist(s)
The Radcliffe Science Library (RSL), part of the Bodleian Libraries at the University of Oxford, is committed to supporting an inclusive culture and being a space where everyone feels welcome, valued and respected when it re-opens in Summer 2023. As part of this action, the library is launching a writing competition open to all undergraduates in science and medicine.
The Bodleian Libraries have an extensive range of online resources to enable you to continue your studies away from Oxford.
Filter results on SOLO by Online Resources to find resources that can be accessed remotely – look for the green Online access icon. University members can access these anywhere in the world when logged into SOLO with a Single Sign-On (SSO) ID.
The Bodleian Libraries have a large number of e-books which can be accessed via SOLO. We also have a guide to accessing and using e-books.
If you can’t find a book available as an e-book, then we may be able to purchase one. Complete the book recommendation form to put in your request.
Oxford Reading Lists Online (ORLO) provides 24/7 access to reading lists from a range of devices via your Oxford Single Sign-On ID (More information on ORLO).
All of Oxford’s databases are accessible via SOLO (filter by Databases under Resource Type) and also via Databases A-Z.
We have compiled a curated selection of study skills books in one list. The list contains titles suitable for undergraduates and graduates, from general to specific, and by subject. You can go browse the list by scrolling the page or by using the Table of Contents tab, to jump to a category. The list will be reviewed and updated regularly with new recommended titles.
The library is committed to expanding its EDI collection in areas such as LGBT+ Studies, Women’s Studies, Disability Studies, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BME) Studies.
Here is a selection of titles:
More are available on SOLO.
Do you want the e-book of a title already on SOLO in print? Do you have a recommendation for a title not already included? Contact karine.barker@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.
