On March 20, 2025, the Ifakara Health Institute hosted an engaging talk by Professor Ann H. Kelly from the University of Oxford, who presented a groundbreaking transdisciplinary approach to global health, climate resilience, and mosquito-borne disease control. The session, titled Redesigning the Humble Brick, drew participants both in-person and virtually. 

Professor Kelly’s presentation explored how simple yet fundamental building materials, such as bricks, could be leveraged to address pressing public health challenges. She highlighted how the ectothermic biology of mosquitoes makes them highly sensitive to temperature changes, which in turn influences their role in disease transmission, particularly in the context of climate change.

The discussion centered on rethinking the role of the brick—not merely as a construction material but as a tool that can contribute to healthier and more climate-resilient living environments. By integrating vector control strategies into the very fabric of homes and communities, Professor Kelly proposed that locally sourced and energy-efficient bricks could play a role in global health interventions, offering sustainable, low-cost solutions adaptable to various contexts.

Participants engaged in thought-provoking discussions on the potential for embedding vector control into building materials, exploring the intersection of architecture, health, and climate adaptation. The talk also touched on broader social implications, highlighting how reimagining everyday materials can reframe aspirations for development and humanitarian progress.

Professor Kelly, an esteemed anthropologist, has led multiple collaborations at the crossroads of infectious disease control, health systems strengthening, and emergency R&D. Her insights provided a compelling case for integrating public health objectives with structural innovations, opening new avenues for collaboration between disciplines.

The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, where attendees delved deeper into the feasibility and scalability of such innovations. Ifakara Health Institute remains committed to fostering such conversations, bridging science, technology, and local solutions to address global health challenges.