Oxford Kellogg Vision Centre
The Oxford Kellogg Vision Centre was established at Kellogg College in the Summer of 2025 to provide a new, dedicated hub of research, education and public engagement in the field of visual impairment.
It has been made possible through seed funding from Retina UK and Fight for Sight.
Led by Professor Susan Downes, Fellow of Kellogg College, and Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Oxford and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the Centre aims to be an exemplar for information and education, raising awareness of the challenges of sight loss and serving as a knowledge resource for students, staff and the wider community.
Globally, more than 2.2 billion people live with some form of visual impairment – half of which could be prevented or treated. In the UK, almost 2 million people are visually impaired or blind. Despite the profound personal, social and economic impact of sight loss, only 0.9% of UK research funding is dedicated to eye research. The Centre seeks to address this gap by building understanding of visual impairment and fostering innovation in research and support.
Kellogg College’s inclusive and international community provides an ideal setting for the Centre. With its mission to make graduate study accessible, and its strong record of lifelong learning, Kellogg offers an environment where the experiences of students with visual impairment can be better understood and improved.
The Centre’s objectives are three-fold:
- Information hub
To create a central resource on visual impairment at Kellogg College, working with University disability services, the Oxford Eye Hospital, the Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, and charities supporting those with sight loss. The Centre will enhance the student experience and share knowledge nationally and internationally. We are working with the University Disability Services, the Oxford Eye Hospital, The Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Visual impairment teams in the community, Charities including RetinaUK, Fight for Sight, and the Thomas Pocklington Trust to build a central resource of knowledge and services. - Education and awareness
To deliver lectures and seminars on visual impairment and related topics. These will explore the personal and societal impact of sight loss, its causes and potential treatments, and the global challenges of eye health. Events will be open to the Kellogg community and the wider public. - Research and collaboration
To support innovative research into visual impairment, its causes, impact and therapies. The Centre will foster multidisciplinary collaborations across the University and beyond, build links through European and international research networks, and provide opportunities for students and early career researchers.
Through these activities, the Oxford Kellogg Vision Centre will serve as a catalyst for knowledge, collaboration and advocacy, strengthening Oxford’s contribution to the global challenge of sight loss while improving the lived experience of students with visual impairment.
