Irvine Memorial Lecture 2026: Forensic Science Matters Professor Lady Sue Black, Baroness Black of Strome LT

Baroness Black of Strome LT, known more commonly as Sue Black, is one of the world's leading forensic anthropologists. She is President of St John's College, Oxford, Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Oxford, a crossbench peer in the House of Lords, Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University, and the Lifetime Professor of Anatomy at the Royal Scottish Academy.

The lecture will explore the importance of forensic science across political, investigative, legal and humanitarian domains, illustrating why a robust forensic science system is critical both to the delivery of justice and to the prevention of miscarriages of justice.

Sue will examine how forensic science in England and Wales has reached such a parlous state and, crucially, what can still be done to pull it out of its 'graveyard spiral', and explore the consequences of market failure, growing digital backlogs, the erosion of specialist skills and a lack of independence, setting out why she believes national oversight and urgent, systemic reform are now essential.

Forensic science matters, but only if the system supporting it is capable of delivering science that is robust, independent and fit for purpose.

The Principal, Professor Dame Sally Mapstone FRSE, will give the welcome address and the AVP Dean of Science, Professor Gareth Miles, will chair the question and answer (Q&A) session and give a vote of thanks.

The Irvine lectures were founded in 1954 by St Salvator's College Council in memory of Sir James Colquhoun Irvine, Principal of the United College of St Salvator and St Leonard, 1921 to 1952. Originally, the Lecturer was appointed annually by the College Council to deliver one lecture in St Salvator's College on a subject of interest and importance to the students of more than one department or faculty. Since its inception, the remit has been expanded.

All welcome.

Photograph of Sir James Colquhoun Irvine courtesy of the University of St Andrews Libraries and Museums, ID: ms38187-11.