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Open lectures

 Public lecture audience photo

Every term a number of open lectures on a wide variety of topics are held at the University. Organising, or being involved in, open lectures may help to profile the research taking place in your department, or be a platform for a distinguished visitor to the department.

How to get involved

If you would like to discuss the possibility of running an open lecture, or open lectures series, yourself then please get in touch to discuss this. We are always happy to give advice. The Public Lectures Committee has limited funds to support departments, colleges and student societies who are inviting distinguished visitors to give open lectures at the University.

If you are organising a departmental, or other, lecture we strongly recommend that you read our advice for organisers and promoting open lectures web pages. 

If you expect a large audience for your lecture because of the speaker or the topic, we strongly recommend that the event is ticketed. We may be able to help with this if required. 

Target audience

  • General public, University staff and students and potential students

Value

  • Reputation
  • Promoting research themes
  • Supporting relationships with friends and alumni
  • Playing an active role in the city
  • Contributing to the educational, social and cultural development of York and Yorkshire
  • Supporting students in independent learning
  • Investing in activities that raise aspirations to HE

What we provide:

  • Help with promoting your open lecture to internal and external stakeholders
  • Help with ticketing your event, if required

What is required from you:

  • Audience figures for your events, which will be requested during the week after your event has taken place

 

Audience quotes

"Keep up your excellent work on these public lectures. You are a beacon in the cultural darkness of North Yorkshire!"

"The lectures I have attended have been really interesting and of an extremely high standard."

"As a distance student from another University I find these very useful."

"Wonderful series of lectures, looking forward to next term!"

"It's all really rather good. Keep it up!"

"I love having this facility and will be attending more, thanks to all of you!"

"Your lectures are excellent. I only wish I had time to attend more of them."

“It was very beneficial to hear the words of such an experienced academic researcher. The event itself was very warm and welcoming in the new Teaching Building which had many features that enabled a brilliant lecture.  From this I have been excited to conduct more research in this area for my AS EPQ: I contacted the speaker himself who was very kind and helpful in furthering my research, he even sent me lots of his papers.  I would really recommend these events to others as they are truly spectacular and inspiring.”

Who to contact

Useful links

Upcoming lectures

Tue
14
Jan

Bringing the stars down to Earth: Fusion technology for the future

Roddy Vann describes the exciting potential and the challenges of recreating the energy source of the stars, nuclear fusion, here on Earth.

Wed
15
Jan

The reform and innovation challenge for the NHS

Matthew Taylor will discuss using health economics and academia to shape policy, improve healthcare systems, and reduce health inequalities.

Fri
24
Jan

Chemistry: Delivering clean air for all

Speakers including Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, discuss the power of chemistry to tackle air pollution.

View all open lectures