Public Lecture Podcast - University of Bath
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Public Lecture Podcast
These podcasts from the University of Bath's public lecture series feature leading names from the worlds of science, humanities and engineering talking about the latest research in their field. The podcasts are downloaded around 250,000 times a year by people in 50 countries. The University won the
for its podcasts in 2007.
Thu, 21 May 2015
Like the mutating cells it was trying to investigate, and through a serendipitous series of unrelated coincidences, what started out as a multi-disciplinary UK-based research project to explore the stratosphere using helium balloons somehow evolved and mutated into a high-powered rocketry based research collaboration with NASA Astrobiologists in the Nevada Desert.
This high-octane talk by University of Bath researcher Dr Paul Shepherd explores the highs and lows of his journey into High Altitude Bioprospecting for a project which has fused structural engineering, electronics, computer science and biology.
Thu, 21 May 2015
In his Inaugural Lecture, Deputy Director of the PVRC in the University's Department of Mechanical Engineering, Professor Chris Brace discusses what the future holds for automotive propulsion. 
During the 20th century the growth of affordable personal mobility changed the way we live and work. Today the passenger car as we know it is under increasing pressure from changing expectations, including air quality, safety, sustainability and CO2. In addition, driver needs and expectations are changing as we move to a more urban way of living.
This lecture sets out some of the challenges ahead and examines some likely directions that personal mobility will take in the future. Once we have an idea of future developments, what will the implications be for powertrain research?
Fri, 27 Feb 2015
Delivered by Professor Carl Murray, Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy at Queen Mary University of London, this year's William Herschel Society lecture focused on the mission of the Cassini spacecraft, which has been in orbit around Saturn since 2004.
In his lecture, Professor Murray who in 1990 was selected as a member of the Cassini imaging team at the project inception, reviewed some of the results obtained over the last decade and looked ahead to some of the science that is planned for the final orbits before the Cassini mission ends in 2017.
Wed, 19 Nov 2014
Professor Galbreath's inaugural lecture asked whether the evolution of technology requires us to be forever vigilant in the face of a new type of warfare. Against new threats to security, posed most recently by organisations like Islamic State, what is the current role for states, and what is the future for power and security, security and defence?
Wed, 19 Nov 2014
'Internet of Things' technologies have emerged over recent years as enabling technologies for life-long healthcare. Increasingly these technologies are seen as moving health from the hospital to the home, whilst at the same time shifting responsibility for health from the clinician to Computer Scientists and Engineers. The 27th Designability Annual Lecture, 'Data Scientist - heal thyself', explored the possible scenarios with this vision for data-led personalised medicine.
Mon, 07 Jul 2014
In his inaugural lecture, titled 'Disembedded elites? Policy communications and the transformation of elite networks', Professor David Miller reviewed the main writing on 'power elites' in the tradition of power structure research and asked what's changed with the advent of neoliberalism?
Thu, 03 Jul 2014
We think of time travel as fiction, but there is nothing in the laws of physics that prevents us building a time machine. What's more, relativity provides practical opportunities to travel through time. Listen back to Brian Clegg, author of 'Dice World, Gravity, A Brief History of Infinity, Inflight Science and Build Your Own Time Machine', talking about the potential solutions to time travel from our recent public lecture.
Thu, 03 Jul 2014
This lecture from Dr Lynette Goddard (Senior Lecturer in Drama and Theatre at Royal Holloway, University of London) focuses on the tradition of the Caribbean yard play to examine how the organisation of stage space relates to the experiences of the characters.
Wed, 25 Jun 2014
The Levels and Moors are an enormous floodplain in the heart of Somerset and for tens of thousands of years were an ever changing mix of different wetland habitats. In this podcast, archaeologist and historian, Dr Richard Brunning, explores how the present day landscape was largely created and 'tamed' in the early medieval period after the Roman conquest.
Wed, 25 Jun 2014
Pain is a major health care problem worldwide. It affects the well-being of millions of individuals, and its financial burden upon our societies is considerable. Pain is not a simple reflection of the degree of tissue-damage, it is strongly influenced by expectations and beliefs individuals hold about pain and their ability to cope with it. In this lecture, Dr Katja Wiech from the Centre for Pain Research, talks about research into how expectations can influence the outcome of pain treatment.
Tue, 17 Jun 2014
Modern knee replacement is a highly successful operation, relieving the pain and disability of knee osteoarthritis. However, it has limitations and these, combined with the changes in population demographics, present significant challenges for both current and future healthcare systems. Professor Richie Gill's inaugural lecture 'What is wrong with knee replacement?' explores these issues and the research being done to overcome them.
Mon, 16 Jun 2014
Delivered by Professor Allyson Pollock, public health research and policy specialist at Queen Mary, University of London, this IPR lecture explored major changes and challenges to the NHS through government reform, what this means for patient access and what needs to be done about it.
Tue, 15 Apr 2014
Local historian and archaeologist, Dr Simon Draper, discusses place names and their links to Anglo-Saxon landscape architecture for a number of Wessex communities in this GULP lecture. From the 7th century onwards, what was the meaning of place names like 'bury' and why were they significant?
Tue, 15 Apr 2014
How can government, industry and business better work together to invest in long-term research to harness solar energy and transform carbon dioxide into energy fuel? In this lecture, Global Chair at the University, Professor Geoffrey Ozin talks about using carbon dioxide as a source of fuel rather than treating it as a waste product and pioneering advances in nano-chemistry.
Mon, 02 Sep 2013
Ms Lambert, of Goldsmiths University, has worked as a history lecturer for 20 years. Her talk will look at the repeated failures to recover 'holy land' territories after 1147.
Thu, 30 May 2013
In a global system that seems to be remorselessly concentrating capital into fewer hands, this lecture will examine efforts to move money the other way in order to promote food security, with particular reference to Ethiopia.
In this lecture, Professor James Copestake will highlight the growing business-orientation of aid and explore scope for being more transparent about its impact.
Wed, 15 May 2013
Are trends in global politics simply the result of large impersonal structural forces, or does human agency matter? For example, would America have become the dominant country in the 20th century regardless of who was president? To what extent did leaders matter, and if so, what kind of leader? Leadership theorists focus their attention on what they call transformational leaders, but were "transformational" leaders like Woodrow Wilson and Ronald Reagan really more important than "transactional" leaders like Eisenhower and the first Bush? What are the lessons we can draw for leadership and foreign policy in this century?"
Wed, 15 May 2013
In this lecture Professor Steve Gough spoke to explore inconsistencies in the way we think of education, and to examine the role of human learning as our interactions with nature - particularly through economic activity - create and re-create our environment.
Wed, 01 May 2013
Where did the idea of infinity come from?
Who were the people who defined and refined this paradoxical quantity?
Why is infinity, a concept we can never experience or truly grasp, at the heart of science?
How can some infinities be bigger than others?
An exploration of one of the most mind-boggling features of maths and physics, this talk uncovers the amazing paradoxes of infinity and introduces the people who devised and refined the concept.
Thu, 25 Apr 2013
In response to the shortage of munitions hampering military operations in France, in 1915 the British Government embarked on a programme of factory building unparalleled in history. This talk explores the construction of the major explosives and shell filling factories, the conditions within and the part played by "Tommy's Sisters" in their operation.
Thu, 25 Apr 2013
In this lecture, Dr Paul Shepherd from the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering will share the secrets behind the building of the Olympic Park and explore the ways in which mathematics was used in the construction and operation of the Olympic Games.
Thu, 25 Apr 2013
In this lecture, Dr Susan Oosthuizen, historic landscape specialist from the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education, will explore the archaeological evidence for the management of prehistoric pasture.
Thu, 25 Apr 2013
In this lecture, Dr James Betts from the Department of Health will examine the importance of eating breakfast for overall good health, and whether missing breakfast could increase a person's risk of becoming overweight or suffering from heart disease or diabetes.
Thu, 25 Apr 2013
In this lecture, Mr Russell Bowes, a freelance garden historian, will be sharing mysterious tales of how people have died in the garden, and how you can protect yourself against herbaceous murderers.
Thu, 25 Apr 2013
44th Annual Lecture of Bath Institute of Medical Engineering (BIME) 
Professor Gail Mountain, Professor of Health Services Research (Assisted Living Research) at University of S Director of EPSRC-funded SMART Consortium & Principle Director of KT-EQUAL Consortium will describe how technology can be used to meet the needs of an ageing population.
Thu, 25 Apr 2013
In this lecture, Mr Simon Garrett, Head of Learning at Bristol Zoo, asks the controversial question of how much wildlife we actually need, or even like in this thought provoking insight into the future
Thu, 25 Apr 2013
In this lecture, art history and cultural theory lecturer Dr Jonathan Koestle-Cate will examine how modern art continues to play a significant role in the life of the church.
Thu, 25 Apr 2013
In this inaugural lecture, Professor Tess Ridge from the Department of Social and Policy Sciences, will be discussing the hidden costs of the Government's poverty and austerity policies for Britain's poorest children.
Thu, 25 Apr 2013
In this inaugural lecture, Professor David Coley from the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering will address why so few buildings in the UK are built using the low-energy technologies that are now available.
Fri, 15 Mar 2013
Lord Tugendhat, the Chancellor of the University of Bath, talks about trust and transparency in public life and business
Tue, 31 Jul 2012
Professor Mark Lindsay talks about the rise and fall of the gene and respiratory diseases.
Fri, 29 Jun 2012
Professor Paul Salkovskis talks about understanding and treating anxiety
Thu, 28 Jun 2012
Professor Chris Bowen, researcher in materials science from the University's Department of Mechanical Engineering, gives an overview of the properties and applications of active materials, composites and structures.
Tue, 19 Jun 2012
Dr Dina D'Ayala discusses the fundamental concepts of earthquake engineering and recent research developments in the field of earthquake protection.
Tue, 19 Jun 2012
Entrepreneur and journalist Margaret Heffernan takes a fresh look at money and power.
Thu, 14 Jun 2012
Maura Dunst of the University of Hull looks at the forgotten 'Queen of Bath' Madam Sarah Grand
Tue, 29 May 2012
Professor Chris Budd describes the maths behind Google and the Ipod and shows how maths has led to the modern information revolution.
Thu, 17 May 2012
June Ward talks about the charity Hounds for Heroes.
Wed, 16 May 2012
University's Director of Sport Stephen Baddeley introduces a series of speakers celebrating the University's journey to become one of the UK's leading centres for high-performance sport and a key player in preparation for the 2012 London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
Thu, 19 Apr 2012
Lord Rees of Ludlow talks about the history of the universe.
Mon, 26 Mar 2012
Learning officer for the Bristol Dinosaur Project Ed Drewitt reveals another side to Peregrines, not only as majestic, aerial hunters but as opportunistic falcons living often nomadic lives.
Tue, 20 Mar 2012
University of Bath librarian Howard Nicholson provides an outline of the history of public libraries.
Mon, 19 Mar 2012
The President of the Child Poverty Action Group, Baroness Ruth Lister, gives an insight into poverty research in the UK.
Mon, 19 Mar 2012
Professor Jane Millar introduces a showcase public lecture exploring three outstanding projects that highlight the research progress achieved through academia and industry collaboration.
Wed, 07 Mar 2012
Dr James Bilzon discusses sports science research
Wed, 07 Mar 2012
Photographer and writer Roger Vlitos talks about Greco-mania
Tue, 07 Feb 2012
A freelance garden historian, Russell Bowes, will use the clues displayed or hidden in paintings to look at the major developments of gardening styles from ancient times to the present day.
Wed, 30 Nov 2011
World-renowned pscyhologist, Professor Richard Ryan talks about why video games are so addictive and why people can't wait for the weekend.
Tue, 29 Nov 2011
Professor Diana Worrall addresses our understanding of the Universe, and the largely uncharted structures that we find when we explore space.
Mon, 21 Nov 2011
The Campaign for Social Science SW Regional Roadshow aims to raise the profile of social science in the public, media and Parliament, in context of changes to the funding of teaching and research.
Fri, 18 Nov 2011
Jon Stallworthy, Emeritus Professor of English Literature at Oxford University and Dr Jane Potter of Oxford Brookes University, discuss the lives of Ivor Gurbey and Wilfred Owen.
Fri, 18 Nov 2011
Professor Peter Bruce of the the University of St Andrews talks about the need for a step change in the performance of energy storage devices for the future in order to help us achieve a low-carbon world.
Tue, 15 Nov 2011
Dr Jenny Balfour-Paul, honorary research fellow at the University of Exeter and fellow at the Royal Geographical Society and the Explorers Club, tells a compelling story of indigo, the world's oldest, most magical and best-loved dye.
Mon, 14 Nov 2011
Alan Cotton, Honorary Professor of Art at the University of Bath, gives his inaugural lecture where he presents stories about people and places from his travels.
Thu, 03 Nov 2011
Dr Roland Jones, a neuropharmacologist from the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology at the University of Bath, will explores the history of epilepsy
Wed, 26 Oct 2011
Dan Johns, engineer for Bloodhound SSC, the latest attempt at the land speed World record, talks about his involvement with the project.
Wed, 26 Oct 2011
Dr Amy Frost of the Bath Preservation Trust provides a deatailed biography of William Beckford
Tue, 25 Oct 2011
Garden historian Russell Bowes talks about the horticultural history of the tea bag, from its origins in the foothills of the Himalayas right through to the modern tea bag.
Mon, 24 Oct 2011
BIME President Baroness Masham of Ilton, who is also the Founder and President of the Spinal Injuries Association, and Dr Elizabeth White, Head of Research & Development at the College of Occupational Therapists deliver the BIME lecture.
Mon, 25 Jul 2011
The lecture focused on Professor Griffin's research about young people's everyday lives and what is important to them. She argued that young people are usually most concerned with fitting in, with where they belong in psychological and social terms - and with having fun. However, young people in affluent western societies are the target of substantial marketing campaigns that take full advantage of this in their advertising, branding and marketing of a range of products.
Fri, 17 Jun 2011
The first of new series of public lectures entitled 'ways of thinking' that aim to challenge and stimulate new ideas and debate across the University.
Tue, 31 May 2011
Professor Rob Price delivers his inaugural lecture on his research in the field of aerosol science.
Mon, 23 May 2011
Particle Physicist Dr Glenn Patrick talks about the Large Hadron Collider. Based at CERN, in Geneva, the collider is the largest scientific machine in the world. It started operation in the summer of 2008 and aims to produce colossal amounts of data, which thousands of scientists around the world will analyse to further our understanding of the universe.
Mon, 23 May 2011
An ongoing series of public lectures on everything from astrophysics to global poverty
Mon, 23 May 2011
Leading architectural historian Dr Simon Thurley looks at the growing role of the state in the cultural life of the nation in the 40th Anniversary Gerald Walter's Memorial Lecture
Mon, 23 May 2011
Dr Glenn Patrick of the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory near Oxford looks at how particle physics has developed following Rutherford's discovery and what developments we might expect.
Thu, 28 Apr 2011
In this Founders' Day lecture Sir Paul Nurse, president of the Royal Society, discusses the great ideas of biology.
Thu, 28 Apr 2011
In his Inaugural lecture Professor Yiannis Gabriel from the School of Management critiques our desire to look for a story in every image.
Thu, 14 Apr 2011
Recent debate on the role and affordability of scientific research has too often been presented as a choice between 'blue skies science' and 'useful' engineering. This public lecture at the University of Bath by Professor Sir Richard Friend on 5 April 2011 argues that this is a highly mistaken outlook.
Thu, 31 Mar 2011
Simone Lewis Dr Polly Mcguigan and Dr James Bilzon examine how the University of Bath aims to become a research centre of excellence in disability and Paralympic sport ahead of and beyond London 2012
Wed, 30 Mar 2011
Freelance garden historian Russell Bowes brings the story of the tulip to life with power, passion and petals!
Thu, 10 Mar 2011
Prof David Nutt talks about the regulation of drugs including alcohol and tobacco.
Thu, 10 Mar 2011
Dr Rod Thomas talks about a newly-discovered Iron-Age settlement and other findings in Bathampton Down.
Thu, 10 Mar 2011
Dr Joanna Bryson, an expert in machines that have their own artificial intelligence, explores the issues.
Wed, 05 Jan 2011
Professor Angela McFarlane explores how The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is using digital media to engage new, global audiences in its science and conservation work.
Thu, 18 Nov 2010
Professor John Barrow, Professor of Mathematical Sciences at Cambridge University, sheds light upon the expanding universe and asks what the significance is of its age, shape and size at the annual Herschel lecture.
Thu, 18 Nov 2010
Professor Chris Martin investigates the country's current financial crisis looking at the underlying cause, the symptoms and long-term effects.
Fri, 15 Oct 2010
Professor Garth Johnson will describe how biomechanical engineering is improving joint replacement treatment for older people, in this annual lecture organised by the Bath Institute of Medical Engineering.
Fri, 03 Sep 2010
Honorary Professor and Research Associate of the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex and co-ordinator of the UN Intellectual History Project draws on the 17-volume official history of the UN
Tue, 13 Jul 2010
Professor Andreas Kyprianou from the Department of Mathematical Sciences gives a gentle introduction to probability theory and its pivotal role in current mathematics research.
Fri, 25 Jun 2010
Dr James Martin, founder of the James Martin 21st Century School at the University of Oxford, explain why decision-makers need to look at the global big picture to avoid world catastrophe.
Fri, 25 Jun 2010
Professor Stephen Payne from the University of Bath, will discuss how his research combines an understanding of the human mind with the design of interactive systems.
Fri, 25 Jun 2010
Poet and author Kevan Manwarring looks at poets who have graced the silver screen from Shakespeare to the Beats and the Romantics to Slam.
Wed, 09 Jun 2010
Dr Robert Heath, lecturer at the school of management at the University of Bath and study lecturer on Buddhism, talks about the history and development of the religion from its inception in India to the present day.
Fri, 04 Jun 2010
Reverend Professor Ian James questions whether climate change is a challenge or a swindle and presents some of the certainties, complexities and controversies from the science of climate change.
Fri, 04 Jun 2010
Organic devices are revolutionising lighting and solar cells, Professor Alison Walker will describe how this change will impact our lives. Light emission from organic materials is not very common in everyday life. However, some living creatures, such as fireflies and many sea creatures, emit light with amazingly high efficiencies.
Fri, 04 Jun 2010
James Alexander, a highly practical business creator and innovative strategist, is a co-founder and Board Director of Zopa, the marketplace where people meet to lend and borrow money. In this wide ranging lecture, James, who is a superb speaker, will touch on a number of topics including how to make the most of opportunities in building a successful career. This is an opportunity for you to learn from someone who has been hugely successful in the business world.
Fri, 04 Jun 2010
Dr Alex Kacelnik from the Department of Zoology at the University of Oxford talks about how crows make tools to find food and explains how animals think.
Fri, 04 Jun 2010
Beloved by artists as well as gardeners, flowers are everywhere in art. But are they just flowers or do they carry hidden meanings? Is there a deeper significance - spiritual, cultural or aesthetic - than we realise? Put on your deerstalker and prepare to exercise your little grey cells as we tour a virtual art gallery looking for the clues that artists have left for us between the petals of the rose and the sunflower, two of summer's most beautiful flowers.
Fri, 04 Jun 2010
Professor Michael Beverland, head of the marketing group at the University of Bath School of Management examines how the marketers behind some of the world?s most enduring brands are responding to a new environment.
Tue, 30 Mar 2010
Lecturer, writer and editor, Rick Marshall talks about how explosives are made and what to do if they're detonated.
Wed, 24 Mar 2010
Prof Adrian Hyde-Price from the University's Department of European Studies & Modern Languages examines the nature and causes of contemporary war and conflict, and considers the prospect of peace in the 21st Century.
Tue, 02 Mar 2010
Freelance and professional writer Roger Vlitos examines the theories and myths about Avebury.
Mon, 07 Dec 2009
Paul Ormerod, the author of three best-selling books on economics talks about what mainstream economists have to say about the turmoil of world economy.
Mon, 23 Nov 2009
Martin Sturge talks about Lady Anna Miller of Batheaston. Mr Sturge is deeply involved with the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution and sponsored the rebinding of a rare volume of Lady Miller's Poetical Assemblies held in the institution's historic library.
Mon, 23 Nov 2009
Professor Peter Coles from the School of Physics & Astronomy at Cardiff University will talk about the large scale structure of the Universe and the ideas that physicists are weaving together to explain how it came to be the way it is.
Thu, 12 Nov 2009
Professor Malcolm Johnson from the Department of Social and Policy Sciences at the University of Bath looks at the changing face of death in an ageing society.
Fri, 06 Nov 2009
Author and archaeologist Bob Clarke charts the progress of aviation through airfields and asks why some stations are located where they are.
Mon, 02 Nov 2009
Freelance garden historian Russell Bowes looks at the history of gardening giving a virtual tour of some of the great art galleries of the world.
Fri, 30 Oct 2009
Lord Joel Joffe believes that there is an 'urgent need' to change the law on assisted dying and will argue in his lecture that assisted dying and palliative care are essential and complementary aspects of care for people suffering from painful incurable diseases.
Wed, 28 Oct 2009
Forensic anthropologist Kathleen Conabree discusses issues surrounding what really goes on at a crime scene and what the term forensic actually means.
Wed, 28 Oct 2009
In this Charter Day lecture, Dr Alexander Kelle, from the University of Bath's Department of European Studies and Modern Languages, talks about biological research and its possible applications for good, and ill. Illustrating a track record over a century long of biological developments being put to uses outside their original purpose, he proposes the creation of an International Framework Agreement to ensure that we learn from the mistakes of the past.
Wed, 28 Oct 2009
Stuart Robertson, the director of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society, gives a personal view of the great Scottish architect and designer.
Wed, 28 Oct 2009
Professor Alan Cottenden, from University College London, describes new technology for managing incontinence.
Mon, 19 Oct 2009
Professor Chris Budd from the University of Bath takes mathematics into the dark territory of murder, suicide, love, sex and conquest.
Wed, 14 Oct 2009
Florence Muringi Wambugu talks about the contribution of bio-technology, including GM crops, for improving the sustainable livelihoods of resource poor families in Africa.
Mon, 12 Oct 2009
Nicholas Fogg describes life at the Court of the Great Moghul, his campaigns, his foibles and his lasting impact on the history of India.
Fri, 09 Oct 2009
Professor Bas Verplanken from the University of Bath talks about the psychology of habit and how much of what we do is done at the same time in the same location.
Tue, 30 Jun 2009
Members of the new Bath Centre for Pain Research celebrate its launch. The lecture is introduced by Professor Chris Eccleston, the centre's director, and includes an address by Dr Lindsey Cohen and talks by Dr Lance McCracken, Dr Candy McCabe and Dr Ed Keogh.
Thu, 25 Jun 2009
Professor Guy Standing from the University of Bath talks about work after globalisation.
Mon, 22 Jun 2009
Professor Dame Janet Finch talks about how academia and government can work together.
Tue, 02 Jun 2009
Professor Geof Wood of the University of Bath investigates our human motivations for sustainable behaviour beyond our own immediate interest.
Tue, 19 May 2009
Professor Melanie Welham from the University of Bath's Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology talks about the benefits of stem cells.
Wed, 29 Apr 2009
David Rogers talks about how entrepreneurs use innovation and creativity to survive and thrive in hard times.
Mon, 20 Apr 2009
Professional photographer Roger Vlitos talks about nature writer Richard Jefferies, who coined the phrase Spirit Country for the west of England countryside that inspired him and many other followers.
Thu, 09 Apr 2009
Professor Simon Wood from the University of Bath talks about smoothing, letting data speak without telling it what to say.
Fri, 03 Apr 2009
Dr Momna Hejmadi, from the University of Bath, explores some of the non-conventional patterns of behaviour and links them to how the brain works.
Wed, 01 Apr 2009
Dr Alexander Sturgis, Director of the Holburne Museum, talks about its plans for the future. He gives an insight into what visitors will be able to see in the renewed museum and the ways in which the development will allow it to play its part to the full in the cultural life of the city and region.
Mon, 30 Mar 2009
How vulnerable are our historic buildings to earthquakes and how can we preserve them from seismic tremors? Dr Dina D'Ayala from the University's Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering discusses the development of methods to protect and preserve historic buildings from seismic damage.
Mon, 30 Mar 2009
Professor Andrew Plummer, Director of the Centre for Power Transmission and Motion Control, discusses recreating earthquakes in a laboratory to test how buildings perform under extreme conditions.
Fri, 27 Mar 2009
Michael Lemonick, a freelance science journalist from Princeton University, looks at the discoveries of William and Caroline Herschel.
Wed, 25 Mar 2009
Dr Glen Patrick of Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxford, talks about how its possible to probe the hidden universe and what particle physics can tell us about it's secrets.
Mon, 09 Mar 2009
Professor Richard Whitman from the Department of European Studies & Modern Languages discusses Muscles from Brussels: a 21st Century Superpower. Where does the EU fit in global politics? How do we explain the role that the EU currently plays within international politics and what is the impact of a developing international role for the EU on its member states' foreign security and defence policies?
Fri, 06 Mar 2009
Professor John Wells from the Speech, Hearing and Phonetic Science Research Department at University College London discusses whether we are wasting time on irregular spellings and holding our children back with spelling tests.
Fri, 20 Feb 2009
Professor Peter Walker discusses research into new ways of using traditional building materials such as earth, hemp and straw as a greener choice for modern construction. Professor Walker is Director of the BRE Centre for Innovative Construction Materials at the University.
Tue, 17 Feb 2009
Richard Jones, professor of Physics at the University of Sheffield, looks at how we can manipulate matter at the level of individual atoms and molecules and the possible impact this will have on advances of medicine, energy and information technology.
Wed, 11 Feb 2009
Professor Mark Birkinshaw talks about the effect of gravity on light as part of the 2008 Herschel lecture, named in remembrance of the Bath astronomer who discovered the planet Uranus in 1781.
Mon, 09 Feb 2009
Writer and journalist Nicholas Fogg, sheds light on the historical conundrums of Shakespeare's sonnets. The sonnets represent one of the great literary enigmas and have given rise to endless speculation and debate.
Wed, 04 Feb 2009
Stuart Roberts, research fellow at the University of Reading, discusses the decline of bees and its effect on the environment. Evidence is presented on the state and trends of bees, the likely drivers of change and the possible long term effects.
Mon, 02 Feb 2009
This lecture looks at medicines available over the counter from pharmacies as well as those available from supermarkets, grocery stores and garages. Trained pharmacist Denise Taylor discusses readily available medicines and how safe they are.
Fri, 30 Jan 2009
Roger Vlitos, writer and photographer, discusses how Stonehenge has been seen in every age, from it's first appearance in medieval manuscripts to the present day.
Wed, 28 Jan 2009
Professor Tom Kirkwood, Director of the Institute for Ageing and Health at Newcastle University, explores how the ageing process is influenced by a broad range of lifestyle and environmental factors
Mon, 26 Jan 2009
Dr Jane Davis tells stories about the value of great books in ordinary lives. Jane left school at 16 with 2 GCSEs but now leads an organisation which wants a bigger place in the nation's heart for books and reading. Later in life she returned to education and graduated with a 1st class degree in English and spent 3 years writing a PhD.
Thu, 23 Oct 2008
Professor Anil Markandya, from the Department of Economics & International Development, gives the Charter Day lecture in which he explores more sophisticated ways of measuring a country's wellbeing than just looking at GDP; these include assessing its ecological footprint, rating in the Corruption Perception Index and number of happy life years. Using these techniques, there are some surprising winners and losers.
Tue, 15 Jul 2008
Professor Chris McMahon, from the University's Department of Mechanical Engineering, considers some of the most complex design challenges faced by engineers through the ages, from designing ships in the 17th century, to the modern computer-assisted design of cars and planes.
Fri, 13 Jun 2008
Professor Melanie Welham and Dr Paul De Bank from the University's department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology talk about stem cell research and regenerative medicine.
Tue, 20 May 2008
Professor Chris Eccleston, Dr Linda Bauld and Professor Chris Garland talk about their research and how it is helping to improve health and healthcare.
Tue, 11 Mar 2008
Dr Steve Dorus from the Department of Biology & Biochemistry reveals how cataloguing the DNA blueprint of humans is revealing the evolution of human traits.
Mon, 26 Nov 2007
General Sir Rupert Smith, the general who commanded the British Armoured Division in the first Gulf war and led the UN protection force in Bosnia, questions how military force is used to solve political problems.
Tue, 20 Nov 2007
Professor Phil Diamond, Director of the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, talks about the research activities at the observatory, home to one of the world's biggest and most powerful radio telescopes.
Mon, 19 Nov 2007
Professor Allan Kellehear, Professor of Sociology at the University of Bath's Centre for Death & Society, gives an overview of the changing attitudes and behaviour of human beings and other hominids in their response to death, dying and loss over the last two million years.
Wed, 14 Nov 2007
Professor Steven Blair, from the University of South Carolina, USA, talks about the causes of the obesity epidemic in the US, the relationship between weight and fitness levels, and the importance of physical activity in a healthy lifestyle.
Wed, 24 Oct 2007
Professor Geoff Hammond, Director of the interdisciplinary International Centre for the Environment (ICE) at the University of Bath, looks at the global challenges and local opportunities for lowering our carbon footprint.
Sat, 13 Oct 2007
In this Charter Day lecture, Professor Tamas Szekely, from the University of Bath's Department of Biology & Biochemistry, talks about conflict and cooperation in the family life of birds.
Wed, 10 Oct 2007
Dr Ken Bray, from the Sport & Exercise Science group in the University's School for Health, reveals the science behind the swerving free kick, using scientific videos and match footage.
Mon, 08 Oct 2007
Award-winning space historian, Piers Bizony, presents an illustrated account of the Space Age, from the first tiny satellites to America's colossal project to land men on the moon.
Mon, 03 Sep 2007
Professor Matthew Davidson, from the Department of Chemistry at the University of Bath, describes how the development of biodiesel catalysts, fuel cell materials and solar cells could one day help mitigate many of the problems caused by burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.
Tue, 31 Jul 2007
Philippe Blondel from the University's Centre for Space, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences takes a planetary journey through the solar system and discusses whether the discovery of water means there must be life on other planets
Wed, 25 Apr 2007
Professor Saiful Islam, of the University's Department of Chemistry, gives a flavour of the fascinating chemistry behind green technologies such as hybrid petrol-electric cars and fuel cells
Wed, 18 Apr 2007
Paul Stallard, Professor of Child & Family Mental Health at the University of Bath and a chartered clinical psychologist with the Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Care Partnership Trust, describes CBT, its use with children and young people and takes a critical look at its future use.
Wed, 14 Mar 2007
Leading figures from a range of social science disciplines discuss whether the theory of natural selection has anything to offer present-day students of cultures and societies.
Fri, 23 Feb 2007
Lord Rees-Mogg, former Editor of The Times, gives a free public lecture on the changing international scene.
Wed, 21 Feb 2007
Dr Adrian Scott, from the University's Department of Psychology, considers the fallibility of human memory and how past experience and knowledge of the world influence recollection.
Thu, 08 Feb 2007
Duncan Morrow shares his experiences of working in the community, including as Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council which funds and develops inter-community relations practice and policy in Northern Ireland.
Wed, 31 Jan 2007
Professor Ismet Gursul talks about his research into the most efficient wing structure for a tiny aircraft. He has found this is similar to the structure of insect wings.
Thu, 23 Nov 2006
Lord Paddy Ashdown - former High Representative in the successful reconstruction of Bosnia and a former leader of the Liberal Democrats - severely criticises the reconstruction of Iraq, calling it a 'catastrophic failure' in which 'daily carnage' is taking place. This lecture was organised by the University of Bath and the Royal Society of the Arts.
Wed, 22 Nov 2006
Dr Nick Snashall, National Trust archaeologist for Avebury, describes how a fresh look at the Neolithic Cotswolds brings to light how its people lived their lives.
Mon, 06 Nov 2006
Steve Jones, professor of genetics at University College London, describes why he believes that creationism is wrong and evolution is right at a lecture organised by the Department of Chemistry at the University of Bath.
Mon, 06 Nov 2006
Professor Ursula King talks about how women across the world are reinterpreting their religious traditions through dialogue with people from different faiths.
Wed, 01 Nov 2006
Professor David Gillespie, from the University of Bath's Department of European Studies & Modern Languages, explores Russian culture and the country's search for a national identity.
Wed, 18 Oct 2006
World-renowned physicist, Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell, looks at how poetry portrays astronomy.
Thu, 14 Sep 2006
The 2006 Herschel lecture by Professor Brian Warner, University of Cape Town, explores the life of John Herschel, described as the 'first modern scientist', and the son of Bath's famous astronomer William Herschel.
Thu, 04 May 2006
Professor Gus John - one of the country's leading commentators on British race relations - talks about his recently-launched book, Taking a Stand, in which he calls for a radical revaluation of Government policy to improve race relations.}