Portrait of Professor Anne Davies features in Bodleian Libraries' 'Catalysts' series

Professor Anne Davies, Professor of Law and Public Policy at Oxford and Fellow of Brasenose College, has been featured in a new portrait series by the Bodleian Libraries. Catalysts, commissioned in collaboration with the British Journal of Photography, celebrates Oxford researchers whose work is having a global impact.

Photographed by acclaimed portrait artist Alys Tomlinson, Professor Davies is one of 19 academics whose portraits will join the Bodleian's permanent collection in the Weston Library. Tomlinson's contemplative black-and-white diptychs pair each subject's portrait with a visual motif reflecting their research.

Reflecting on the experience, Professor Davies said: "I usually say that I hate having my picture taken, but this was a really enjoyable experience. Alys works with an old-fashioned large plate camera so the camera itself is a thing of beauty and it was fascinating to watch her process."

Professor Davies is paired with an image of a carving of personified charity and justice, reflecting her work as a legal scholar. "One of my main areas of interest is employment law," said Professor Davies. "My work is driven by a concern for the dignity of working people – ensuring that they are treated fairly and, where that doesn't happen, that they have access to redress."

The Catalysts portraits will be on display from early 2026, accompanied by public and University events celebrating the diversity and impact of Oxford research.