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Keynote SpeakerShelley James

Lighting design consultant, TEDx and Keynote Speaker, Author and WELL Light Advisory Member

Dr Shelley James is a lighting design consultant specialist in integrated strategies that balance the needs of people and planet. She is a sought-after keynote speaker and workshop leader for her engaging, evidence-backed approach to lighting. Her passion was sparked by a traumatic head injury, leading to pioneering research into... Read more

Topics

Popular Talks

Light your path to productivity: Optimise your workspace lighting
Neuroarchitecture for neurodiversity - and biodiversity
Making light work: Hack your body clock to boost sleep and performance
Balancing People and Planet: A Smart Blueprint for Sustainable Development

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Biography

Dr Shelley James is a lighting design consultant specialist in integrated strategies that balance the needs of people and planet.

She is a sought-after keynote speaker and workshop leader for her engaging, evidence-backed approach to lighting.

Her passion was sparked by a traumatic head injury, leading to pioneering research into the effects of light on visual perception and ongoing collaboration with the Bristol Eye Hospital and Moorfields in London.

Clients include global lighting and technology brands and regulators, healthcare and education trusts, architects and designers, academic institutions and museums. Dr James is also a Visiting Lecturer at UCL Bartlett and the Royal College of Art. Dr James is also a trained glass artist, electrician and year-round open-water swimmer.

A recent social media campaign to raise awareness of the impact of light on teens was translated into three languages and reached over 2.5 million young people around the world. Her TEDx talk was the top three most-watched in the world following launch. It was recently featured in a recent LA Business Times article about the top 30 TEDx talks to make an impact this century.

Dr James is frequently invited to feature on podcasts to share her expertise on the potential for innovative lighting solutions to integrate physical and mental health and environmental goals and and featured in the award-winning BBC Four documentary Innovations that Changed the World. She has written two popular guides to lighting, the most recent edition has been translated into Korea, leading to an invitation to present to the prestigious KIIEE Annual Spring Conference in Seoul in May 2025.

Her unique combination of skills and insights and engaging presentation style has made Dr James a sought-after speaker for conferences and workshops around the world.

“Dr Shelley James was the headline speaker at a business event I organised looking at the use of light in design at SEN schools. The talk she gave was extremely informative, engaging and fun, ensuring that the attendees all participated in the session and took ideas away. She used practical demonstrations to bring to life some of the challenges faced by students that need to be addressed within the design principles for SEN facilities. It was a really great lively session and Dr Shelley was absolutely fantastic to work with.” Michelle Mckechnie, Senior Business Development Manager, Kier Construction

”A great session!– super-practical and full of cool facts too, the conversation was really interesting and engaging at all times. The session was over booked and the room was packed with colleagues from every level in the organisation. We all left with a better sense of what might work better for ourselves and other people, we learnt about the impact and importance of light exposure and how this is related to our mental and physical health. This is particularly helpful for an office environment, as we spend most of our time indoors in front of our computers. The session with Dr. Shelley was enlightening and my colleagues came away buzzing and excited to put some of the tips into practice at home and in the office.” Andrea Burnett, Executive Director, Santander UK

“We have loved working with Shelley: we especially value her rigour and generous-spirited creativity. She literally sheds light on the subject of human thriving and well-being - people go away from her sessions with a host of new illuminating insights.” Tracey Camilleri, Co-Founder Thompson Harrison, Associate Fellow at Oxford University Said Business School

“Shelley advanced the role of lighting in a compelling way, touching on well-being and productivity, and how light can improve sleep, resolve conflicts, reduce back pain and support shift work.” Professor Jeremy Myerson, Director, WorkTech Academy

Popular Talks by Shelley James

Light your path to productivity: Optimise your workspace lighting
While most professionals expect an adjustable chair, desk and monitor at work, most don’t give the lights a second thought. And yet lighting is linked to neck and back pain, eye strain, headaches and fatigue. This session will review the return on investment for lighting, offering simple strategies to shift...

While most professionals expect an adjustable chair, desk and monitor at work, most don’t give the lights a second thought. And yet lighting is linked to neck and back pain, eye strain, headaches and fatigue. This session will review the return on investment for lighting, offering simple strategies to shift mood, boost motivation and project the right image during video calls.
Neuroarchitecture for neurodiversity - and biodiversity
Understand the critical role of lighting in creating supportive, sustainable environments for learning, especially for neurodiverse populations. This keynote offers insights into the neuroscience of visual perception, circadian entrainment and behaviour in humans and animals, providing an evidence-led framework for facilities managers and educators.
Making light work: Hack your body clock to boost sleep and performance
This interactive session explores the circadian cycle and links to sleep, mood, memory and stress and the critical role of genetics and chronotpye on natural patterns of sleep and wake, delivering practical, personal strategies to improve physical and mental health.
Balancing People and Planet: A Smart Blueprint for Sustainable Development
Explore how we can meet human needs without compromising the health of our planet by harnessing smart technologies and machine learning. This keynote offers actionable and affordable strategies to foster resilience and sustainability harnessing the latest innovations and insights from the space station to the workstation.