Professor Sarah Hart, MA, MSc, PhD, FHEA Mathematician and Author. Professor Emerita of Mathematics, Birkbeck, University of London

Lecture outline

This lecture will explore the many connections between mathematics and literature. I'll show you the hidden mathematical structures behind everything from poetry to novels, and reveal some of the beautiful mathematical imagery and symbolism in fiction, from simple fairytales to classics like Moby-Dick. My goal is to show that not only are mathematics and literature inextricably linked, but that understanding these links can enhance our enjoyment of both.

Biographical note

Sarah Hart is a mathematician and author. She is Professor Emerita of Mathematics at Birkbeck College (University of London), and has recently served a four-year term as Professor of Geometry at Gresham College, the first woman to hold this chair since its creation in 1597. Sarah is particularly interested in the cultural, historical and creative impact of mathematics, and the links between mathematics and the arts. She is a passionate mathematics communicator and sought-after public speaker. Her first book Once Upon a Prime; the Wondrous Connections between Mathematics and Literature was published in April 2023. It was a New York Times Book Review Editor’s choice, and the Sunday Times called it a “glorious compendium of mathematical fact and left-field literary appreciation [that] deserves a large and varied readership”.

Attending the lecture

The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

The lecture will take place in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

Gautam G Bodiwala, CBE, DL, JP. DSc (Hon), MS, FRCS, FRCP, FRCEM, FIFEM, FRSA Former World President International Federation for Emergency Medicine, Consultant in Emergency Medicine

Lecture outline

The lecture will describe the history of the development of Accident and Emergency care, how Britain pioneered a new specialty and led a global movement. The speaker will track the history of emergency care from 300 BC in ancient times, what emergency medical care was like 500 years back in the UK, and how ‘casualty surgery and medicine’ was transformed into ‘Emergency Medicine’

About the speaker

Gautam Bodiwala is acknowledged as one of the pioneers and experts in the field of Emergency Medicine, nationally and internationally.

He was appointed as Head of the ED in Leicester, England in 1977. He retained that position for 26 years. He has held many leadership positions nationally and internationally.

He was awarded Honorary Doctorate by University of Leicester and De Montfort University, CBE by her Majesty the Queen (first for Emergency Medicine). The Emergency Department in Leicester is named after him as ‘Gautam Bodiwala Emergency Department’, the only in the UK. The International Federation for Emergency Medicine has created its highest award ‘Gautam Bodiwala Lifetime Leadership Achievement Award’ to mark his contribution internationally and founding of the International Federation. He has received nine fellowships of Royal Medical colleges and Hon membership of EM organisations.

He has published over 70 papers, one book and given many keynote speeches in more than 40 countries including inaugural eponymous lecture at International and European level.

He sits on the Court of the University of Leicester and has served as Pro Chancellor of the De Montfort University.  

Attending the lecture

The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

The lecture will take place in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

Professor Robert Colls BA DPhil Emeritus Professor of Cultural History, International Centre for Sport History and Culture, De Montfort University

Lecture outline

Trials and tribulations of a historian who thought he knew what he was doing…

Biographical note

Robert Colls was born in South Shields and educated at the universities of Sussex and York. He came to Leicester in 1979 to work at Vaughan College and in the department of Adult Education. He was formerly professor of History at Leicester University, and at de Montfort University. 

Attending the lecture

The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

The lecture will take place in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

The Arthur and Jean Humphreys Lecture Professor Katherine Newey, PhD. Professor of Theatre History University of Exeter.

Lecture outline

Although the nineteenth century is widely regarded as the ‘Golden Age’ of pantomime, the pantomime form was in a process of constant evolution throughout the century. Historically, pantomime is distinguished by change and its knowing self-referentiality. But there’s one constant – that Pantomime is not what it used to be. Indeed, pantomime is never what it used to be. The constant in pantomime is nostalgia, which is paradoxically paired with sensation and novelty. Victorian pantomime was the vehicle for the representation of the latest, the new, the fads, the fashions of the times.

In my lecture I’ll explore the ways in which the pantomimes we see today have their roots in the Victorian pantomime, and its melding of the Harlequinade of the classic commedia dell’arte with the robust, rude and knockabout humour of the Clown and the Dame.

Biographical note

Kate Newey is Professor of Theatre History at the University of Exeter. Her work focuses on women’s writing and nineteenth century British popular theatre. She has published academic books and essays on John Ruskin, Victorian women playwrights, and the politics of the pantomime. She has held research Fellowships at Harvard University, the Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington DC, and the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Centre, University of Texas (Austin). She is currently leading a large-scale project funded by the European Research Council, ‘Women’s Transnational Theatre Networks, 1789-1914.’

Attending the lecture

The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

The lecture will take place in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

(Photo: University of Leicester)

Lecture sponsored by the University of Leicester Dame Maggie Aderin Pocock DBE Space Scientist and Chancellor of the University of Leicester

Registation for this event will open by August. 

Details to follow

Attending the lecture

The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

The lecture will take place in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

(Photo: University of Loughborough)

Lecture sponsored by the Loughborough University Professor David Deacon BA (Hons) MA PhD Professor of Communication and Media Analysis, Centre for Research in Communication and Culture, Loughborough University

Registation for this event will open by August. 

Details to follow shortly

Attending the lecture

The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

The lecture will take place in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

Image courtesy of the Univeresity of Leicester

Sponsored by The Royal Society of Chemistry Dr Josh Smalley MChem PhD Research Associate and Science Communication Champion University of Leicester Great British Bake Off finalist 2023

Registation for this event will open by August. 

This lecture is sponsored by the Royal Society of Chemistry

Attending the lecture

The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

The lecture will take place in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

(Photo:  De Montfort University)

Lecture sponsored by De Montfort University Professor Kelly Wilder DPhil Professor of Photographic History, Director, Photographic History Research Centre and Director, Institute of Art and Design, De Montfort University

Registation for this event will open by August. 

Details to follow shortly

Attending the lecture

The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

The lecture will take place in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

Natural History Section Joint Lecture Dr Oli Pescott PhD Research Scientist

Registration for this event will open by August. 

Details to follow shortly

Attending the lecture

The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

The lecture will take place in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

The 2024 Peach Lecture Jonathan ‘Jo’ Deeming BArch DipArch MArch RIBA SCA AABC RIBA Chartered Architect, Partner Purcell, Surveyor to the Fabric of Canterbury Cathedral (Note: 6:30 PM start at the University of Leicester

The lecture will be followed by a reception

Registation for this event will be through the University of Leicester. 

Details to follow shortly

Attending the lecture

The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

The lecture will be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

Geology Section Joint Lecture Dr Steve Etches MBE

Registation for this event will open by August. 

Details to follow shortly

Attending the lecture

The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

The lecture will take places in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

The F.L. Attenborough Lecture Isabella Tree Writer and Conservationist

Registation for this event will open by August. 

Details to follow shortly

Attending the lecture

The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

The lecture will take place in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

Leicester Museum and Art Gallery Joint Lecture Professor David Mattingly FBA MEA Professor of Roman Archaeology, University of Leicester

Registation for this event will open by August. 

Details to follow shortly

Attending the lecture

The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

The lecture will take place in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.