Our lectures
Our Public Lecture Series is a showcase of research highlights from across the University. The lectures are given by Reading academics eminent in their field and cover a wide range of topical subjects.
This year, our Public Lectures will take place on a Wednesday evening and will be in the Palmer Lecture Theatre.
The economics of happiness
Wednesday 19 October 2011, 8pm
Palmer Building, Whiteknights campus
Dr Marina Della Giusta, School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Governments across the world say our happiness is important and should be a policy goal in its own right. But what is happiness and how can it be measured? Economists and policy makers are interested in it but should they be?
What caused the extreme weather of 2010-2011?
Wednesday 9 November 2011, 8pm
Palmer Building, Whiteknights campus
Dr Nick Klingaman, Walker Institute
Floods, droughts, heat waves, blizzards and tropical cyclones affected hundreds of millions of people in 2010 and 2011, with devastating consequences for human life, ecosystems and infrastructure. In Australia, much of Queensland was under water, while Perth suffered through the driest year in a two-decade drought. The confluence of these events has led many to blame human-induced climate change, but are greenhouse gases really responsible for this extreme weather?
Conflict, corruption and reconstruction
Wednesday 14 December 2011, 8pm
Palmer Building, Whiteknights
Dr Dominik Zaum, School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, corruption has emerged as a major obstacle to bringing peace and economic and political stability to war-torn countries. It has undermined the trust in fragile post-war institutions, has entrenched the power of war-lords and criminal networks, and diverted money from vital social services. Why are post-conflict countries so prone to corruption? In what ways does corruption obstruct peacebuilding and development? Why and how do the practices of the international community often fuel and entrench corruption in war-torn countries? These are some of the questions this public lecture will explore.
Managing our mind
Wednesday 22 February 2012, 8pm
Palmer Building, Whiteknights
Professor Roz Shafran, School of Psychology & Clinical Language Sciences
Mental health problems such as anxiety and depression are highly prevalent. Such difficulties can have a severe impact on all aspects of life yet most people try to manage without help. This talk will examine the scientific rationale underpinning the understanding and treatment of common mental health problems and discuss the best evidence for the associated therapeutic interventions such as cognitive therapy.
Can changing your diet and lifestyle alter your cancer risk?
Wednesday 14 March 2012, 8pm
Palmer Building, Whiteknights
Professor Ian Rowland, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences
We are constantly told that a healthy diet and life style will prevent illness and help us live longer but can we actually reduce our risk of developing cancer through diet and lifestyle choices? This lecture will explore the main causes of cancer and address why experts apparently disagree on which diets cause and which prevent cancer. Is it just a matter of eating lots of fruit and vegetables, or are there other food products that might help lower cancer risk?
Olympics modern and ancient
Wednesday 2 May 2012, 8pm
Palmer Building, Whiteknights
Professor Barbara Goff, Department of Classics
Every four years a global event unfolds which is unparalleled for its advertising revenue, its political significance, and the accompanying media excitement. Some claim it makes sporting history too; some even claim it descends from an ancient Greek festival. What are the connections between the modern and the ancient Olympics? And whatever did Baron Pierre de Coubertin think he was doing when he 'revived' the Games?