The University of Edinburgh: The University of Edinburgh

Julia Marton-Lefèvre - The Promise of 2015: Hopes for a New Environmental Enlightenment

Tue, 01 Dec 2015 14:51:12 GMT

Julia Marton-Lefèvre, environmentalist and academic, delivers the final lecture in the 2015 Our Changing World series. This lecture is also part of our Enlightenment Lecture series. In this lecture Julia Marton-Lefèvre will compare the profound changes that took place in the 18th century European Enlightenment, emphasizing reason rather than tradition, with the need for a new enlightenment to face the stark challenges posed by an unprecedented loss of biodiversity, a rapidly changing climate and increasing inequality among nations and individuals. Recorded on 24 November 2015 at the University of Edinburgh's George Square Lecture Theatre.

Prof. Lord Robert Winston - Medicine, Ethics and Society

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 17:08:02 GMT

Professor Lord Robert Winston delivers a lecture entitled Medicine, Ethics and Society.

This lecture is part of the University's "Our Changing World" public lecture series, which examines the global challenges facing society, and the role of academia in meeting these challenges: http://www.ed.ac.uk/events/changing-world

This lecture is also part of the University's Enlightenment Lecture series, which examines aspects of the Enlightenment's legacy in the context of our own fraught and hectic times: http://www.ed.ac.uk/about/video/lecture-series/enlightenment

Recorded on Monday 21 October at the University of Edinburgh's McEwan Hall.

Prof. Mary Robinson - Human rights in the modern world

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 17:06:05 GMT

Professor Mary Robinson speaks on how human rights interact with the modern world.

In office from 1990 to 1997, Professor Robinson was the seventh President of Ireland and the first woman to hold that role. She left to take on the position of High Commissioner for Human Rights at the United Nations from 1997 to 2002.

Human rights remain an area of interest and expertise for Professor Robinson. Since 2004 she has taught on international human rights at Columbia University in New York.

In 2010 she set up the Mary Robinson Foundation - Climate Justice to advocate for and educate the world about those most affected by the changing environment, namely the world's poorest and more marginalised communities.

This lecture is part of the University's "Our Changing World" public lecture series, which examines the global challenges facing society, and the role of academia in meeting these challenges: http://www.ed.ac.uk/events/changing-world

This lecture is also part of the University's Enlightenment Lecture series, which examines aspects of the Enlightenment's legacy in the context of our own fraught and hectic times: http://www.ed.ac.uk/about/video/lecture-series/enlightenment

Recorded Tuesday 20 November 2012 at the University of Edinburgh's McEwan Hall.

Prof. Stefan Collini - From Belles-Lettres to Eng-Lit: Criticism and its Publics

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 17:05:25 GMT

Professor Stefan Collini re-examines the history of the activity of literary criticism and discipline of English Literature.

In the 250 years since the founding of the Chair of Rhetoric and Belles-Lettres at Edinburgh University, the activity of literary criticism and discipline of English Literature have had a tangled, complex and at times uneasy, even antagonistic, relationship.

This lecture will re-examine this history, focussing particularly on the question of the various publics addresed by criticism, in its literary-journalistic as well as academic forms. Coming up to the present (and even the future), Stefan Collini will explore the plurality of contemporary audiences for criticism and will challenge pessimistic accounts of 'the disappearance of the reading public'.

Stefan Collini is Professor of Intellectual History and English Literature at Cambridge University, and a Fellow of the British Academy. He is also a frequent contributor to The Guardian, The London Review of Books, The Times Literary Supplement, The Nation, and other publications, as well as an occasional broadcaster.

In 2012, the University's English Literature department celebrates its 250th anniversary. We're marking the occasion with exhibitions, events, talks, readings and seminars throughout the year.

Recorded on Thursday 24 May 2012 at the University of Edinburgh's George Square Lecture Theatre.

Prof. Amartya Sen - David Hume and the Demands of Ethics

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 17:04:25 GMT

Nobel Prize laureate Professor Amartya Sen presents a lecture entitled David Hume and the Demands of Ethics.

The Professor of Economics and Philosophy at Harvard University gave his lecture as part of the University’s celebration of philosopher David Hume’s 300th birthday.

Professor Susan Manning chaired the event, which also featured Professor Emma Rothschild, Professor Barun De, Dr Viccy Coltman and Dr Michael Fry.

Recorded on Monday July 18 2011.

Jon Snow - A Changing Media in a Changing World

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 17:01:51 GMT

Broadcaster and journalist Jon Snow examines the impact of digital technology, social websites and citizen journalism on the second-oldest profession.

Recorded on Friday 19 November 2010 at the University of Edinburgh's McEwan Hall.

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Lord Nigel Crisp - Turning the World Upside Down: The Search for Global Health in the 21st Century

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 16:59:07 GMT

Lord Crisp discusses why health systems worldwide need to change and why the time for a new conversation is now.

This lecture was recorded on 25 May 2010 in the University of Edinburgh's George Square Lecture Theatre.

Mr Hugh Cheape - A Neo-baroque Strain in Scottish Folk Music

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 16:58:10 GMT

Mr Hugh Cheape, Curator of the Museum of Scotland, presents a discussion seminar examining the neo-baroque strain in Scottish folk music

Dr Adam Fox - 18th Century Street Theatre: Bedlamites and Buffoons

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 16:57:33 GMT

Dr Adam Fox presents a discussion seminar examining the 18th century street theatre.

Dr Stana Nenadic - The Performance of Sociability in the Age of Enlightenment OR They do it with Mirrors

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 16:57:02 GMT

Dr Stana Nenadic presents a discussion seminar examining the performance of sociability.

Dr Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones - Handel In The Orient

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 16:56:12 GMT

Dr Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones presents a discussion seminar examining Handel in the Orient.

Dr Stephen Lloyd - Raeburn and His Patrons

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 16:55:33 GMT

Dr Stephen Lloyd presents an illustrated talk that begins to map out the web of establishment patronage in Edinburgh and Scotland that supported the prolific career of the portrait painter Sir Henry Raeburn.

Dr Walter Willett - The Optimal Diet for 21st Century Living

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 16:54:31 GMT

For the last 20 years the focus of nutritional advice has been to reduce total fat intake and consume large amounts of carbohydrate. However, this advice is inconsistent with many lines of evidence indicating that unsaturated fats have beneficial metabolic effects and reduce risk of coronary heart disease.

More recent evidence has also shown that the large majority of carbohydrates in current industrial diets, consisting of refined starches and sugars, have adverse metabolic effects and increase risks of obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Thus, in what appears to be an optimal diet, most calories would come from a balance of whole grains and plant oils, proteins would be provided by a mix of beans, nuts, fish, eggs, and poultry, and the remaining nutritional needs would be filled by plenty of vegetables and a few fruits.

Important considerations include the role of dairy products, the interrelationships with physical activity and genetic variations, the implications of our food choices on environmental sustainability, and how we move from today’s pathological diet to a more optimal way of eating.

Dr Walter Willett is Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition and Chairman of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Dr Willett is the most cited nutritionist internationally, and is among the five most cited persons in all fields of clinical science. He is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences and the recipient of many national and international awards for his research.

Recorded on 12 June 2008 at the University of Edinburgh's George Square Lecture Theatre.

Prof. Steven Pinker - The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 16:54:02 GMT

Language is the main channel in which human beings share the contents of their consciousness. It offers a window into human nature, revealing the hidden workings of our thoughts, our emotions, and our social relationships.

In his lecture, Prof Steven Pinker will explore an example of each: everyday metaphor as a window into human cognition; swearing and taboo words as a window into human emotion; and indirect speech-veiled threats and bribes, polite requests, and sexual come-ons as a window into human relationships.

Professor Steven Pinker is the Johnstone Family Professor in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University. Until 2003, he taught in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT.

He conducts research on language and cognition, writes for publications such as the New York Times, Time, and Slate, and is the author of seven books, including The Language Instinct, How the Mind Works, Words and Rules, and The Blank Slate.

Recorded on 6 June 2008 at the University of Edinburgh's McEwan Hall.

Jose Manuel Barroso - European Union in the 21st Century

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 16:52:50 GMT

Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, presents an Enlightenment Lecture, entitled European Union in the 21st Century.

Jose Manuel Barroso served as Prime Minister of Portugal from April 2002 until June 2004, when he resigned to become the 11th President of the European Commission.

This lecture was recorded on 28 November 2006 at the University of Edinburgh's Assembly Hall.

Dr Lawrence Klein - A Retired Shopkeeper Makes Enlightenment

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 16:51:39 GMT

Dr Lawrence Klein presents an Enlightenment Lecture, entitled A Retired Shopkeeper Makes Enlightenment: Edmund Rack in Bath, 1775-1787.

The Enlightenment had a large cast of characters, many of whom were humble in origin. This talk will explore the nature of Enlightenment inclusiveness through the experiences of a particular individual.

Edmund Rack was a shopkeeper in East Anglia who turned himself into a man of letters and, moving to Bath in 1775, put himself at the centre of the local Bath enlightenment. He published essays, attended literary salons and helped found two philosophical societies.

His career shows both the pleasures and worries that attached to eighteenth-century upward mobility.

Recorded on 18 October 2006 at the University of Edinburgh's St Cecilia's Hall.

Prof. Tom Devine - A Puzzle from the Past: Why the Scottish Enlightenment Happened

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 16:50:27 GMT

Professor Tom Devine, the Sir William Fraser Chair of Scottish History and Palaeography, presents the third lecture in the Enlightenment series.

Professor Devine is the author or editor of over two dozen books on topics ranging from migration, famine, identity, transatlantic commercial links, urban history, the Highlands and rural social history.

Other panel members included Joyce McMillan, chief theatre critic for The Scotsman, Professor Geoffrey Boulton, Vice Principal and Regius Professor of Geology and Mineralogy at the University and James Boyle, former Chairman, Scottish Arts Council and Cultural Commission.

Recorded on 7 October 2006 at the University of Edinburgh's McEwan Hall.

Prof. Joseph Stiglitz - Globalisation and the 21st Century Enlightenment

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 16:48:47 GMT

The University of Edinburgh Enlightenment Lecture Series with the support of ScottishPower presents Globalisation & the 21st Century Enlightenment by Joseph Stiglitz.

The Principal of The University of Edinburgh, Timothy OShea said: The University is delighted to welcome Joseph Stiglitz to speak as part of our Enlightenment Lecture Series. He is one of the giants of economics, his contributions across every part of the discipline are recognised the world over. He has already played a major role in shaping events in the worlds recent economic history, and now he is set to shape our future with his ground breaking theories on how globalisation needs to work for disenfranchised peoples worldwide. His lecture examining themes of global economics for the new millennium promises to be a fascinating insight into new economic theory.

Stiglitz was formerly the chief economic advisor to President Clinton and Chief Economist at the World Bank from 1997 to 2000. His most important contribution to economic theory has been his role in shaping and defining the ‘third way’ economic philosophy, which seeks
to rebalance the influence of governments and markets in political economies.

Recorded on 28 August 2008 at the University of Edinburgh's McEwan Hall.

Irene Khan - The War on Terror, A War on Liberty?

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 16:46:30 GMT

Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International, presented the inaugural Enlightenment Lecture, entitled The War on Terror - A War on Liberty?

This was the first visit to Scotland by an Amnesty Secretary General. Irene Zubaida Khan became the organisation’s seventh Secretary General in its 40th anniversary year, 2001. Ms Khan is the first woman, the first Asian and the first Muslim to head the world’s largest human rights organisation.

Recorded on 21 February 2006 at the University of Edinburgh's McEwan Hall.

Prof. Steve Jones - Is Human Evolution Over?

Mon, 27 Jan 2014 15:19:05 GMT

Leading geneticist Steve Jones asks 'Is Human Evolution Over?' as part of the Enlightenment Lecture Series.