IHTM students gathered in the Oxford Union’s Goodman Library on Wednesday 14th January 2026, for the eagerly anticipated annual IHTM Scholars’ Debate.
In the months leading up to the event, students received dedicated debate training from Drs Lisha Jeena and Dennis Mazingi, both IHTM alumni (class of 2020).
Through structured workshops and practical exercises, students developed skills in critical thinking, argument construction, and grew their confidence in public speaking.
The motions for this year's debates focused on climate change, intergenerational justice and population health, pushing students to grapple with difficult trade-offs and ethical questions that lie at the heart of these complex issues.
The motions included:
Debate 1: "This house believes that governments should accept higher short-term health costs to achieve long-term climate resilience."
Debate 2: "This house believes that public policy should prioritise future generations over present populations."
Debate 3: "This house would restrict urban development in climate-vulnerable zones for the sake of long-term population health."
The debates were co-facilitated by Drs Naima Nasir and Dennis Mazingi, who also formed the judging panel alongside Lisha Jeena.
The debates were notable not only for the quality of individual speeches but also for the level of audience engagement, with several participants successfully persuading listeners to reconsider their initial positions.
The annual Oxford Union debate remains a highlight of the IHTM programme, offering students a unique platform to refine their advocacy skills and engage in rigorous, respectful debate on some of the most pressing issues facing global health today.