Events archive

2020

21st Century Telescopes

Professor Michael Merrifield

Astronomical discoveries and the development of technology have always gone hand in hand. Only a few years after its invention, Galileo was already using the telescope to revolutionise our view of the universe...

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The Changing Arctic And Its Global Consequences - SOLD OUT

Professor Dr. Dr. H.C. Terry V Callaghan CMG

The Arctic is changing rapidly because of climate change and globalisation. Increasingly, the two aspects are linked and changes in the Arctic’s environment are accelerating....

Real Secrets of Alternative Medicine

Dr Richard Rawlins

The presentation will be based on Richard Rawlins’ book – Real Secrets of Alternative Medicine. It will outline how ‘alternative’ treatment methodologies arose, how they have beneficial effects, and the controversies arising...

The Remarkable World of Joyce Grenfell - Lucky Amateur or Consummate Professional?

Joanna Lavelle

It is difficult to categorise Joyce Grenfell. She was an entertainer, writer, singer, film actress and broadcaster on both television and radio. She died 40 years ago and yet her influence can still be seen through the work of today’s performers.

Elements in Danger

Professor David Cole-Hamilton and Dr M Pilar Gil

Five years ago, a cleaning up of a storage area in the School of Chemistry at the University of St Andrews revealed a time-worn periodic table covered by dirt and dust. Its significance was immediately recognised, despite its brittle and fragile condition that suggested an eventful life in a classroom or laboratory. The lecture will recount the pursuit to date of what it is now considered the oldest known published periodic table wallchart.

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There are no adults: My journey to realising that no one has a plan!

Dr Kirstie Whitaker

Dr Kirstie Whitaker of the Turing Institute will be discussing her fascinating career journey with Tea Milanovic, a pupil from her former school, Withington Girls’ School. Event attendees will be able to ask questions during a live Q&A after the discussion. This event is part of our programme for Young People, rescheduled because of coronavirus; it promises to be very relevant to students who are beginning to consider their futures beyond the sixth form. The event will be more conversation than lecture.

Summer 2020 season

All lectures postponed

Our Summer season was due to start on Monday 20th April but as we have all been advised to restrict social contact for the forseeable future...(click for further information)

Engineering the Ship Canal - past, present and future

James Cordiner

UPDATE 16/03/2020 0915am: As the RNCM has now closed its doors to all public events, this lecture is now cancelled.

Science, Politics and Adventure in Antarctica

Jonathan Walton

UPDATE 16/03/2020 0915am: As the RNCM has now closed its doors to all public events, this lecture is now cancelled.

The Challenges and Opportunities of an Ageing Population

Dr George Leeson

UPDATE 09/03: We regret that due to illness the speaker is unable to attend. Instead, a lecture entitled 'Bridge Over Windermere' will be given by the Head of the Social Philosophy Committee, Peter Barnes. This lecture will discuss the history of the Windermere ferry from Roman times until today.

Wuthering Heights - Members Only

Theatre Group

We are pleased to announce that the next theatre group visit to the Royal Exchange Theatre will be to see W uthering Heights*, directed by Bryony Shanahan.

Fusion Energy - promises, progress and prospects

Professor Kieran Gibson

Fusion power offers the prospect of a secure energy supply which is inherently safe, free from greenhouse emissions and potentially capable of supplying baseload electricity production needs for future generations.

What is the city? - The role of an international arts festival in the life and identity of a city

John McGrath

In June 2017, a few weeks after the Manchester Arena attack, Manchester International Festival opened with a very public event – What Is the City but the People?, created by Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller and director Richard Gregory.

Our Mysterious Frontal Lobes: How they control behaviour in health and disease

Professor Trevor Robbins

Even as recently as 1950, little was understood about the functions of the frontal lobes, which occupy a large proportion of the grey matter of the human brain. Damage to these structures caused by traumatic accident and neurosurgery produced inconsistent effects...

John Ruskin and the ‘Poetry of Architecture’

Dr Christopher Donaldson

For Ruskin the study of buildings was inseparable from the study of nature. He held that all true ‘forms and thoughts’ in architecture were ‘directly taken from natural objects’ (Works 8.141).

The Internet of Things

Nigel Linge

Imagine a world where everything is connected to everything else through the Internet. Your home senses, understands and adapts to your every need; shopping is fully automated with goods being delivered by drones...

Beethoven's Ninth Symphony: myth, music and message

Dr Michael Downes

*Lecure cancelled due to unexpected circumstances*

Formula for Thrill

Professor Brendan Walker

Many people are passionate about theme parks, roller coasters, and thrill rides of all sorts. But did you know there's both an art and a science to creating these thrilling adventures in real life?

2019

The Lit&Phil Christmas concert

Café Band

The Lit & Phil’s autumn term will round off with a festive musical event at the Royal Northern College of Music, with the ‘Café Band’ playing a selection of music for us.

The eco-time capsule project: POPULATION MATTERS

Professor John Guillebaud

Environment Time-Capsules (Eco-TCs) were buried in 1994 in the Botanic Gardens at Kew, Ness, and in South Africa, the Seychelles, Mount Annan near Sydney and in Mexico. These were designed as a Warning, an Apology and a Promise.

Past events

2020

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED

2019