Earthrise: the first views of Earth from space

Dr Robert Poole

Fifty years ago humans saw the whole Earth from the outside for the first time: the crew of Apollo 8, who orbited the Moon at Christmas 1968. The sight of the Earth rising over the lunar surface took them by surprise but the photo they took, now known to the world as ‘Earthrise’...

24th April 2018, 7:00pm

Why do we get Fat – and how does it make us ill?

Professor Sir Stephen O'Rahilly FRS

Obesity is a major and growing threat to global public health.  In this talk Stephen O’Rahilly will focus on two broad questions. Firstly, in the face of modern “obesogenic” environment to which most of us are exposed, why do some people become obese while others remain lean...

3rd May 2018, 7:00pm

Who are the Humanitarians now?

Professor Tony Redmond

The word humanitarian has evolved over the years into a shorthand description for good works and those who do them - usually in someone else’s country. Both Mother Theresa and Michael Jackson were described as humanitarians...

14th May 2018, 7:00pm

Principled Collaboration – the rights, responsibilities and possibilities of community-university partnerships

Professor Melanie Tebbutt

“I was the first in my family to receive a university education and have never lost the desire to teach, research and spread the word about the value of learning.”

Percival Lecture – Members Only – Limited places

23rd May 2018, 7:00pm

Happy Days – Theatre Group

Following the very positive response to the idea of organising a theatre group for Lit & Phil members, and the plan to see The Cherry Orchard in April, our next venture will be to see Samuel Beckett’s modern classic: Happy Days, starring Maxine Peake, again at the Royal Exchange.

31st May 2018, 12:45pm

Bringing up Baby: establishing and promoting computers in Manchester

Dr James Sumner

This year's Manchester Lecture will be on the 70th anniversary of the 'Baby' computer, featuring demonstrations of the 'Baby' replica at the Museum of Science & Industry...

21st June 2018, 7:00pm