Events

Lecture series

The University of Edinburgh has played host to many distinguished lectures, conversations and events.

Featured lectures

An Audience with Professor Peter Higgs
The University attracts a wide range of distinguished speakers. Here we feature some of our lecture highlights.

Inaugural lectures

Audience applaud at a lecture
Each year the University hosts a series of inaugural lectures given by Professors or Chairs newly appointed by the University.

Edinburgh Futures Conversations

The University of Edinburgh and the Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI) present a series of events aimed at promoting global cooperation in addressing the critical challenges facing the world.

The Gifford Lectures

Dr Cornel West standing in front of Gifford Lectures sign - 2024
The prestigious Gifford Lectures have been delivered annually since 1888 by a succession of distinguished international scholars.

International Women's Day Lectures

Katherine Grainger in Old College Quad
Our annual lecture series celebrates International Women's Day with inspiring women speakers of international reputation.

Tam Dalyell Prize Lectures

Professor Harald Haas
A series of lectures presented by the winners of the annual Tam Dalyell Prize for Excellence in Engaging the Public with Science.

John P Mackintosh Memorial Lecture Series

John Mackintosh
An annual lecture series honouring the memory of the late professor, politician, writer and proponent of Scottish devolution.

Our Changing World

A series of public lectures examining the global challenges facing society, and the role of academia in meeting these challenges.

Let’s Talk about Health and Disease

Let's Talk About Health lecture series graphic
Let's Talk About Health and Disease is a series of plain speaking public lectures which run annually from October through to March.

TEDxUniversityofEdinburgh

Dee Isaacs presents her TedX lecture
TEDxUniversityofEdinburgh is an independently organised programme of local events that brings people together to share an experience similar to the multidisciplinary TED conferences.

Enlightenment Lectures

Irene Khan delivers her Enlightenment Lecture
Global leaders examine aspects of the Enlightenment's legacy in the context of our own fraught and hectic times.

250 Years of English Literature

Philippa Gregory
The year 2012 marked 250 years of the study of English Literature at Edinburgh. The University hosted a year of lectures, exhibitions and activities to celebrate this milestone.

Image credits: Graham Clarke, Graham Clarke, Douglas Robertson, n/a, Laurence Winram, n/a, n/a, Paul Edwards, n/a, n/a, n/a, Douglas Robertson