Remembering Graham Taylor

It is with great sadness that the Institute of Human Sciences has learnt of the death of Professor Graham Taylor, Professor of Mathematical Biology at the University of Oxford, a Fellow of Jesus College and Director of the John Krebs Field Station. 

Graham played an important role in Human Sciences over many years. He served as Director of Studies for Human Sciences at Jesus College from 2006 to 2012, initially as Senior Research Fellow in Human Sciences and Biological Sciences before becoming the Peter Brunet Tutorial Fellow from 2007 to 2021. He also made a significant contribution to the Human Sciences degree as convenor of the Finals paper Behaviour and its Evolution (Animal and Human). Having himself been an impressive student in Oxford, Graham was a master of the tutorial system and a strong advocate for improving the links between Human Sciences and Biology teaching. 

Graham was an outstanding teacher and scholar. His pioneering research on animal flight, biomechanics and behaviour helped shape the international understanding of these fields. Under his leadership, the Oxford Flight Laboratory Research gained international recognition as a centre for innovative experimental research bringing together biologists, engineers and physicists to explore some of the most challenging questions in animal flight.

Graham also made substantial contributions to the wider university, most notably as Associate Head of the Material, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS) Division for Capital and Estates in 2019 and served as the Deputy Head of the Division from 2022 to January 2026.

Alongside his lasting legacy to science, education and the university, Graham will be remembered as a valued and generous colleague. He will be greatly missed by all those who had the privilege of working with and learning from him. 

Our thoughts are with Graham’s wife and children and his wider family and friends, colleagues and students at this sad time. 

Those wishing to send message of condolence may e-mail messages@biology.ox.ac.uk