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On 1 October the University鈥檚 (COEH) will mark its 80^th anniversary with a celebratory afternoon of talks and discussion that will incorporate this year鈥檚 Lane Lecture. 

Established in 1945, COEH is the UK鈥檚 oldest and one of the world's earliest centres for occupational health research and education. Its foundation lies in 91直播's industrial history, particularly the cotton industry, with early studies addressing respiratory diseases and lead exposure. 

The annual honours , the first Professor of Occupational Medicine (1945鈥�1964). The Centre鈥檚 subsequent leaders have each contributed to its growth and enduring reputation: Tommy Scott focussed on research on bladder cancer and hearing loss; Tim Lee broadened the scope to areas such as occupational asthma and lead poisoning, and introduced distance learning; Nicola Cherry expanded the department further with research into neurotoxicity and Gulf War Syndrome, launching the Occupational Disease Ascertainment Network (ODIN) network; and Raymond Agius strengthened environmental health research and online education, securing long term funding for the future. 

Current lead, Professor Martie van Tongeren, has transformed the Centre into an interdisciplinary centre offering innovative undergraduate and postgraduate training, attracting students from around the world. Working in collaboration with and the , COEH鈥檚 research spans global occupational and environmental health, health inequalities, climate change and health, digitalization and AI, as well as traditional occupational hazards. The Centre is also actively engaged with regulatory bodies, and its balance of basic and translational research supports policy makers. 

As COEH enters its ninth decade, the centre continues to build on its founders鈥� pioneering work while adopting new approaches to train practitioners and address emerging challenges. Through interdisciplinary collaboration with partners COEH remains committed to social responsibility and reducing health inequalities both in the UK and worldwide, continuing to make a significant impact. 

Professor van Tongeren commented: 鈥淚 am proud and honoured to be part of the Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, continuing the legacy begun by Prof Ronald Lane 80 years ago. As new challenges like AI emerge and longstanding ones like silicosis persist, our mission to protect worker health through research and teaching remains vital. I鈥檓 confident COEH will continue to lead the way.鈥�

80^th anniversary event 

COEH invites colleagues and guests to commemorate 80 years of pioneering research and education at The University of Manchester on the afternoon of 1 October. The event will bring together past and present staff, students, and guests to honour the Centre鈥檚 legacy and explore future progress in occupational health.  

The programme will include: 

• Lightning talks showcasing key achievements and ongoing research initiatives 
• Forward-looking panel session to explore challenges and opportunities in occupational health 
• The , presented by Professor Malcolm Sim, former Head of the Monash University Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health in Australia 
• Closing reception  

2025 Lane Lecture 

While UK occupational health research, including at COEH, now focuses more on stress and mental health, traditional risks such as occupational respiratory disease continue to be a key priority. The Centre has, in recent years, led efforts to address the dangers of artificial stone (used frequently in kitchen worktops and bathrooms) as workers without proper controls can develop accelerated silicosis鈥攁 serious lung disease affecting even young individuals. 

Professor Malcolm Sim played a lead role in research and advisory activities to address the silicosis epidemic in Australia among stonemasons working with artificial stone. In this year鈥檚 Lane Lecture, Professor Sim will explore artificial stone silicosis further through his talk, 鈥�The Artificial Stone Silicosis Epidemic: Lessons Learned for More Effective Prevention鈥�. 

where you can also find a detailed programme.