Neil May Memorial Lecture 2022

Join us for the second memorial lecture celebrating Neil May MBE’s life and pioneering work in the built environment sector.

Neil May was an inspiration to many who work in the built environment sector. Alongside his innovative work on moisture in buildings he had passion for housing, social equality, and understanding the roots of the ‘housing crisis’.

Our guest speaker for the second Neil May Memorial Lecture is Josh Ryan-Collins (UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose). Josh will discuss the UK / international high-income economy housing affordability crisis. He will argue that the demand for housing as (principally) a financial investment and source of rent extraction is the key challenge that needs addressing by policy makers, rather than supply-side interventions. He will also examine how increasing supply of housing stock is incompatible with the UK’s climate and biodiversity commitments, meaning the key challenge is to rethink the allocation of existing residential space.

The session will be chaired by Professor Bob Lowe (UCL Energy Institute) who will give an introduction reflecting upon Neil’s life and achievements. This will be followed by the lecture, an insightful Q&A, and a drinks reception.