Gresham College's free public lectures (running since 1597) will be continuing online from January 2021 until Easter. Their lectures are delivered by world-class experts in fields ranging across the arts and sciences, and they include lecturers like Professors Chris Whitty who is speaking about Vaccination on Wednesday 10 February, Edith Hall (Classics), Leslie Thomas QC (Law) and Joanna Bourke (Cultural History).
They are an excellent resource for developing subject knowledge and skills, gaining careers advice and informing EPQ projects and UCAS statements. There is a searchable back catalogue of 2,500 free digital lectures on their website ordered by school subject at www.gresham.ac.uk/schools.
Those interested can sign up for monthly email updates here: gres.hm/schools.
Their 2020-21 Lectures include:
Astronomy
A series called Cosmic Vision by Astronomy Professor Katherine Blundell, and another by Visiting Professor Roberto Trotta, The Unexpected Universe.
Business/Economics
A series on The Psychology of Finance by Business Professor Alex Edmans; a series on Intergenerational Justice by Visiting Professor Martin Daunton.
Classics
A Great Thinkers series including Plato and Aristotle, by Visiting Professor Edith Hall.
English
The Powers of the Novel by Visiting Professor John Mullan, a series on 'classic' film, Exploding the Film Canon by Visiting Professor Ian Christie.
Geography
Two short series about the environment, Our Connected World, and How to Build a Just and Prosperous Planet by Professor Jacqueline McGlade.
History
A fascinating series on Evil Women In History by Professor Joanna Bourke; a series on England's Reformations by Professor Alec Ryrie; a Black History Month series; a series about Darwin And His Impact by Visiting Professor Jim Endersby (may also be useful for Science); a series on Great Tudor and Stuart Houses by the Provost Simon Thurley (architecture history) and lots of one-off lectures.
IT
Great Ideas From Computer Science by Professor Richard Harvey, which includes algorithms, data, programs and networks; a lecture on AI And Humour by Visiting Professor Yorick Wilks.
Law/Politics/Citizenship
Death, The State And Human Rights by Professor Leslie Thomas QC will discuss police restraint and inquests into deaths in custody (Black Lives Matter); The Politics Of The Courtroom by Visiting Professor Thomas Grant will weigh the balance between politicians and the courts.
Mathematics
Gresham Professor Sarah Hart will look at Mathematics In Music And Writing, Professor Kevin Buzzard will ask Will Computers Outsmart Mathematicians, Dr Kit Yates discusses The Maths of Life and Death.
Medicine
Major Debates In Public Health by the Chief Medical Officer for England Professor Chris Whitty will include a lecture on Vaccination; and Performing Medicine by Visiting Professor of Medical Education Roger Kneebone includes a lecture on Knife Crime.
Music
Russian Piano Masterpieces by Music Professor Marina Frolova-Walker with pianist Peter Donohoe; 100 Years Of BBC Radio by Visiting Professor Jeremy Summerly; Dr Xenia Pestova-Bennett will look at Toy And Cyborg Pianos.
Archive Lectures
Recent highlights in their archive include a career-relevant series on Business Skills by Alex Edmans, which includes lectures on your CV, time management etc; and two series by Sir Jonathan Bate on Classic Shakespeare and Wordsworth and the Romantics; there is also a strong series on the Applications Of Mathematics for example, in the film industry, the maths of climate change, etc by Professor Chris Budd.
All very interesting, I am sure you will agree.
