Public Lectures 2013
Welcome from the Pro-Vice-Chancellor
This Spring, Brunel’s annual Public Lecture Series is celebrating its fifth anniversary, and so we thought it would be a good idea to bring back some of the most inspiring speakers from previous years and pair them with a new cast of scholars and researchers, in order to stage a series of cutting-edge public debates.
Starting from the broad overarching theme of Disputed Territories: Challenging Convictions — Contemporary Concerns we have formulated a number of controversial 'motions', which are likely to divide public opinion. During each of the six evenings, four renowned Brunel speakers will present their views for or against the motion, and the audience will be invited to participate in the debate via an electronic voting system and an extended question-and-answer session.
Attendance at all lectures is free and no booking is required. The speakers will present their views and ideas in a lively and accessible style, without assuming any prior knowledge on the side of the audience. They are guaranteed to spark new insights, challenge your beliefs and provide high quality 'edu-tainment', so don’t hesitate to come along!
Public Lectures
With six stimulating evenings of lectures and 24 renowned speakers, Brunel University’s Public Lecture Series 2013 has something for everyone.
All lectures are free and start at 7pm. Doors and bar open from 6.30pm. No booking necessary – just turn up.
The value of natural resources is to be found in their exploitation
When? Monday 11 February 2013
Who is speaking? Nigel Saunders, Zhongyun Fan, Susan Jobling, Harris Makatsoris
What is the lecture about? What are natural resources, and how do we determine their value and the effects of their exploitation?
Modern science is incompatible with believing in God
When? Monday 18 February 2013
Who is speaking? Clare Williams, Terry Young, Ian Kill, Akram Khan
What is the lecture about? Can science and religion be reconciled and complement each other, or does an understanding of science preclude belief in God?
The good life is a matter of aesthetics rather than ethics
When? Monday 25 February 2013
Who is speaking? Peter Wiegold, Joseph Giacomin, Johannes Birringer, Peter Beresford
What is the lecture about? Can we separate the aesthetic from the ethical in art, design and our lives?
Social cohesion is more important than multi-culturalism
When? Monday 4 March 2013
Who is speaking? James Knowles, Sarita Malik, Ian Rivers, Benjamin Zephaniah
What is the lecture about? Multi-culturalism encompasses a variety of cultural differences, including those based on ethnicity, religion, class and sexuality. Is multi-culturalism leading to a breakdown in social cohesion?
Triviality is more oppressive than tyranny
When? Monday 11 March 2013
Who is speaking? Will Self, Dany Nobus, Matthew Hughes, Mark Neocleous
What is the lecture about? Tyranny seems so out of place today – but what about the tyranny of triviality and the triviality of restrictions imposed by tyrants?
The right to die is the ultimate personal freedom
When? Monday 18 March 2013
Who is speaking? Mary Gilhooly, Clive Seale, Heinz Wolff, Abimbola Olowofoyeku
What is the lecture about? Are we - and should we be - in control of what happens at the end of our lives? Is there any such thing as the 'right' to die, and if so why should only the dying be granted it?
Booking and times
All lectures are free and start at 7pm. Doors and bar open from 6.30pm. No booking necessary – just turn up.
Venue and parking
Lectures take place in the Main Auditorium, Eastern Gateway Building. Parking is free from 5pm in red areas marked on the campus map. Enter via the Kingston Lane entrance, press for Security at the barriers, then park in any bay with a red dot.
How to find us
For maps and travel information visit www.brunel.ac.uk/about/campus/directions
