Events

Delivered by an exceptional range of expert guest speakers, the series covers many exciting subjects and tackles topical and sensitive issues face-on. The lectures are thought-provoking, raise debate and inform.

Our successful programme attracts large audiences from across the region. The lectures are free and open to all.

For further details about our speakers for this series, please download our Distinguished Lectures brochure.

To reserve tickets, please visit the distinguished lectures events page.

For any other queries, or if you experience any difficulties with the online booking process, please email the events team.

Distinguished Lecture Series: Professor Sir John Beddington CMG FRS
Date: Tuesday 30 October 2012
Time: 6 pm
Location: Newton building, City site
Summary: Managing Risk in Government
Risk in government is pervasive. In the short term, managing an emerging crisis – natural or terrorist driven – involves rapid risk assessment and dealing with an emergency as it unfolds, in real time. However, other longer term issues – such as nanotechnology, genetic modification, climate change and food and energy security – also demand careful risk management.

More...

Distinguished Lecture Series: Professor Sir Richard Evans
Summary: War in the Nazi Imagination War was central to the way the Nazis thought about Germany and the world. It was the key to rebuilding the German nation. For Hitler, the German defeat in World War I had to be made good, and a warlike spirit instilled into the German people after the pacifism of Weimar. *This lecture is now fully booked*

Distinguished Lecture Series: Professor Sir Drummond Bone
Date: Thursday 22 November 2012
Time: 6 pm
Location: Newton building, City site
Summary: Byron: Art and Nature
This lecture will look – mainly at Byron’s prose writings – to consider how surprisingly different his views on city and countryside, and art and inspiration, are from many of his contemporaries – and from the popular idea of Byron himself.

More...

Distinguished Lecture Series: John Simpson CBE
Summary: Reporting the World
John Simpson is the BBC’s World Affairs Editor, the senior member of a team of London-based foreign and specialist correspondents. In a BBC career spanning more than 40 years, John has earned a reputation as one of the world’s most experienced and authoritative journalists. *This lecture is now fully booked*

Distinguished Lecture Series: Professor Sir John Savill FMedSci FRSE
Date: Tuesday 19 March 2013
Time: 6 pm
Location: Newton building, City site
Summary: The Future of Medical Research

Medical research must realise potential to drive gains in both health and wealth.

More...

Distinguished Lecture Series: Professor Lord Bhikhu Parekh FBA
Date: Thursday 18 April 2013
Time: 6 pm
Location: Newton building, City site
Summary: Retreat from Multiculturalism
This lecture will argue that the current hostility to multiculturalism in certain influential circles is misplaced and based on a deep misunderstanding of its history and creative contribution.

More...