David Tree – From Genes to Pedagogy & Lab to Learning

As part of our 60th Anniversary celebrations, we are thrilled to welcome you to our new series of Inaugural Lectures. The next event in this series will be Professor David Tree centred around a Geneticist's Journey to Educational Leadership.

My career began studying how genes orchestrate development in organisms. It evolved into studying how institutions orchestrate learning and student success. This lecture explores that transformationm (shaped by my many bosses over three decades) and demonstrates how both fields require systems thinking, rigorous inquiry, and collaborative practice. I trace my journey from laboratory researcher to education-focused professor, exploring how leading from the middle by building communities of practice, learning from colleagues, and taking pedagogy as seriously as genetics can create innovations that improve student learning. This is both my story and an argument that educational expertise creates impact and deserves recognition.

Professor Tree hopes you will join him for a drinks reception after the lecture.

What is an Inaugural Lecture?

An Inaugural Lecture marks a significant milestone in any academic career. Join us as we celebrate the extraordinary careers and research excellence of our academic colleagues, recently joined or promoted to Professor.

In these special open lectures, our professors welcome family, friends, colleagues and members of the public for a memorable evening unpacking their research expertise and offering insights from their career journey.

The Inaugural Lecture Series showcases a wide range of subjects and professorial expertise. These beacons of Brunel’s research community are leaders in their wider field, presenting their expertise, free and open to all.

All ages are welcome - we request that those under 18 are accompanied by an adult.