Lunch Hour Lectures - Autumn 2012 - Audio

The Large Hadron Collider at CERN is using proton-proton collisions to explore physics at higher energies than ever before. This is the region where the weak and electromagnetic forces unify, where mass originates, and where a new particle – looking very much like the Higgs boson – has just been found. The talk will give an account of the discovery and an update on progress since.

The Large Hadron Collider at CERN is using proton-proton collisions to explore physics at higher energies than ever before. This is the region where the weak and electromagnetic forces unify, where mass originates, and where a new particle – looking very much like the Higgs boson – has just been found. The talk will give an account of the discovery and an update on progress since.

The Abelam people of Papua New Guinea are known for their elaborate initiation ceremonies. While these are no longer performed, the Abelam nevertheless continue to cultivate, decorate and display massive yam tubers, reaching up to 10 feet in length. Globalisation has deeply transformed local customs, yet this phenomenon, mixing agricultural techniques, rituals and magic, has maintained its relevance. This lecture will outline how non-western representations of society can, surprisingly, take the shape of very long yams.

The Abelam people of Papua New Guinea are known for their elaborate initiation ceremonies. While these are no longer performed, the Abelam nevertheless continue to cultivate, decorate and display massive yam tubers, reaching up to 10 feet in length. Globalisation has deeply transformed local customs, yet this phenomenon, mixing agricultural techniques, rituals and magic, has maintained its relevance. This lecture will outline how non-western representations of society can, surprisingly, take the shape of very long yams.

In the 100 years since Scott's expedition to Antarctica, we have redefined the way we explore the physical world. Parallel advances in our understanding of the human body have allowed us to extend human exploration across the globe on into the endless frontier of space. But with the space shuttle fleet now in retirement, the question for this new century is what have we learnt and how should we continue ‘to boldly go?’

In the 100 years since Scott's expedition to Antarctica, we have redefined the way we explore the physical world. Parallel advances in our understanding of the human body have allowed us to extend human exploration across the globe on into the endless frontier of space. But with the space shuttle fleet now in retirement, the question for this new century is what have we learnt and how should we continue ‘to boldly go?’

What role did individual Black and Asian actors play in the changing artistic, social, cultural and political scenes that emerged in inter-War London? Dr Bressey’s current research project examines the archives of art collections as well as personal papers, autobiographies and memoirs to recover the lives of Black and Asian men and women who worked as artists and artists models in London between 1919 and 1939.

What role did individual Black and Asian actors play in the changing artistic, social, cultural and political scenes that emerged in inter-War London? Dr Bressey’s current research project examines the archives of art collections as well as personal papers, autobiographies and memoirs to recover the lives of Black and Asian men and women who worked as artists and artists models in London between 1919 and 1939.

Snails are beautiful and decorative animals, with many species marked by patterns on the shell that differ from one individual to another. But why? Prof Jones has spent forty years trying to find out. It might seem a trivial question but it is at the heart of genetics: why is there inherited diversity in almost every creature? The answer, perhaps surprisingly, is also hinted at by some of our greatest artists.

Snails are beautiful and decorative animals, with many species marked by patterns on the shell that differ from one individual to another. But why? Prof Jones has spent forty years trying to find out. It might seem a trivial question but it is at the heart of genetics: why is there inherited diversity in almost every creature? The answer, perhaps surprisingly, is also hinted at by some of our greatest artists.