The Meaning of Light in the Workplace: Implications for health and wellbeing beyond the circadian rhythm

Innovation in lighting over the past twenty years has focused almost exclusively on energy efficiency. This has resulted in much needed improvements in energy savings that are contributing to the fight against climate change.

But new scientific research suggests there is a hidden human cost. Have we lost sight of the qualities of light that people need for their health and wellbeing? What could be more human-centric than allowing our bodies to benefit from the visible and the invisible parts of the spectrum?

Attendees at this brand new masterclass will gain a unique insight into the cutting-edge science exploring the effects of light on living cells and how this should inform our approach to workplace strategy and design.

Just one example of many potential benefits – in the UK we spend £9bn a year on treating Type 2 Diabetes, when a simple intervention of light (free if you go outside) has been shown to reduce blood glucose levels.

Develop your understanding of how light enters the body and influences our physiology to inform your professional practice as well as your own daily life. Learn new skills and gain cutting edge insights to transform your approach to lighting the workplace.

The day closes with our customary drinks and networking social where the conversation continues.

Certificates of Attendance will be available for CPD purposes.  

Who Should Attend

This masterclass will be of huge value to workplace managers, designers, specifiers, facilities managers, consultants, and professionals with an interest in wellbeing and productivity.

Agenda

Registration, tea, coffee (2pm)

Welcome and Introduction
Nigel Oseland, Workplace Unlimited (2.30pm)

The Facts of Light (2.40pm)
Ulysse Dormoy, Atrium

Light Beyond Photosynthesis (3pm)
Bob Fosbury, University College London

Exploring how light enters the body and its biological effects (3.30pm)
Glen Jeffery, University College London

Q&A and Panel Discussion (4pm)

Drinks Social (4.30pm)

Our Speakers

Ulysse Dormoy, CEO, Atrium, is a highly experienced professional in the lighting industry, with over 35 years of expertise. His journey began during the era of analogue systems, and he has been witness to the transformative shift to today’s digital landscape.

Recently, his focus has shifted to a personal passion: the profound impact of light on human physiology. With an interest going beyond the well-known circadian rhythm, Ulysse explores how our increasingly indoor lifestyles might be limiting our exposure to the full spectrum of light, affecting our health and well-being.

Ulysse’s quest to uncover the deeper implications of light extends to its integration within our built environments, exploring how architects, lighting designers, and interior designers can leverage light’s full potential. His goal is to enhance daily life through strategic lighting solutions that can optimise routines, improve sleep quality, and promote overall well-being.

Bob Fosbury is an astrophysicist and an honorary professor at the Institute of Ophthalmology at UCL where he works in an interdisciplinary team to study the interactions of light with biology.

Bob worked nearly 30 years for the European Space Agency on the Hubble Space Telescope project where he also participated in early work on instrumentation for the James Webb Space Telescope. His research interests range from exoplanets and stellar atmospheres to supermassive black holes in radio galaxies and quasars and star formation in the early Universe.

Glen Jeffery is Professor of Neuroscience at The Institute of Ophthalmology University College London. In the last 10 years his work has encompassed how light enters the body via non-visual means. His lab has worked extensively on light interactions with human metabolism via direct mitochondrial absorption of specific wavelengths. This includes metabolic responses to elements of sunlight, and currently how mitochondria respond to artificial light generated in the built environment.

Modern lighting produces wavelength spectra that are fundamentally different from sunlight and there is growing evidence that recent changes in lighting in the built environment pose problems for human health.

Using selective wavelengths of solar light that are either seen or unseen, his lab has been able to regulate human blood sugars and reduce aspects of ageing. By shifting metabolism optically, the lab has been able to improve aged visual function in a number of different domains including colour perception, flicker sensitivity and dark adaptation.

Glen undertook his BSc in Experimental Psychology at Sussex University and his doctorate in Neuroscience at Oxford University. Subsequently, he has held post-doctoral positions at Chicago University, University College London and Oxford University.

Our moderator, Nigel Oseland, is an environmental psychologist, workplace strategist, change manager, researcher, author and international speaker. Nigel works with his clients to redefine their workstyles and create cost-effective and space-efficient workplaces that enhance concentration, collaboration, creativity and business performance.

Where appropriate he helps design and implement sustainable agile working environments. Nigel’s approach to consulting is to apply his knowledge, obtained through both academic research and practical experience, to workplace strategy and design.

He is a firm believer in evidence based design and delivering unique workplaces that support the occupying business. As a psychologist he campaigns for workplaces that cater for all personality types.

Nigel’s book, “The Workplace Zoo: Humanising the Office” was published in autumn 2021. His latest book, “A Practical Guide to Post-Occupancy Evaluation and Researching Building User Experience” was published in September 2023.

Registration

Places are limited to ensure an interactive and unrivalled learning experience, so please book your seat now to avoid disappointment.