College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine

Our Changing World lecture series

Join us for a series of public lectures examining the global challenges facing society, and the role of academia in meeting these challenges.

Western hemisphere of the earth

There is a growing recognition across the world of the urgency of tackling a range of difficult, complex and inter-related issues that impact human wellbeing.

These issues include food, energy and water security, the spread of infectious diseases, developments in technology and medicine, and climate change.

The series, delivered by distinguished speakers, will focus on the contribution academia can make to understanding and addressing these global challenges.

Enlightenment lecture by Jon Snow

A highlight of the events will be the final lecture, presented by broadcaster and journalist Jon Snow on 19 November.

This event is also the next lecture in our renowned Enlightenment lecture series.

Enlightenment lectures - video and audio

Book online

These events are FREE but you must book to attend.

Your e-ticket will will emailed to you - please print and bring this with you to the event.

Book online

Times and venues

The lectures will be held on Tuesday evenings, from 6.30pm to 7.30pm in Lecture Theatre 4, Appleton Tower, 11 Crichton Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9LE.

Jon Snow's lecture will be held on Friday 19th November, from 6pm to 7.45pm, in McEwan Hall, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG.

Programme

Global challenges: the perfect storm?

Professor Paul van Gardingen, UNESCO Chair of International Development and Executive Director: The University of Edinburgh International Development Centre.

Tuesday 28 September 2010, 6.30pm

Tuesday 28 September 2010, 7.30pm

Global challenges: the perfect storm? - Video

Climate change: past, present and future

Professor Gabriele Hegerl, Professor of Climate System Science, The University of Edinburgh

Tuesday 5 October 2010, 6.30pm

Tuesday 5 October 2010, 7.30pm

Climate change: past, present and future - Video

Climate change: the solutions

Dr David Reay, Programme Director, MSc in Carbon Management

Tuesday 12 October 2010, 6.30pm

Tuesday 12 October 2010, 7.30pm

Climate change: the solutions - Video

Population: how much of a problem?

Professor Roger Jeffery, School of Social and Political Science, The University of Edinburgh

Tuesday 19 October 2010, 6.30pm

Tuesday 19 October 2010, 7.30pm

Population: how much of a problem? - Video

One world one health - from rhetoric towards reality

Professor Sue Welburn, Professor of Medical and Veterinary Molecular Epidemiology

Tuesday 26 October 2010, 6.30pm

Tuesday 26 October 2010, 7.30pm

One world one health - from rhetoric towards reality - Video

The invisible enemy: microbes and us

Professor Dorothy Crawford, Robert Irvine Professor of Medical Microbiology and Assistant Principal for Public Understanding of Medicine

Tuesday 2 November 2010, 7.30pm

Tuesday 2 November 2010, 8.30pm

The invisible enemy: microbes and us - Video

Are stem cells the future of regenerative medicine?

Professor Siddharthan Chandran, Director of the Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research. Professor Charles ffrench-Constant, Chair of Medical Neurology, Centre for Regenerative Medicine, The University of Edinburgh

Tuesday 9 November 2010, 7.30pm

Tuesday 9 November 2010, 8.30pm

Are stem cells the future of regenerative medicine? - Video

A changing media in a changing world - entering the golden age of journalism, or leaving it?

Jon Snow, Journalist and broadcaster.

Friday 19 November 2010, 7.00pm

Friday 19 November 2010, 8.45pm

New course for first-years

These lectures also form the basis of a new, interdisciplinary course for first-year students at Edinburgh.

This optional course aims to engage our students to:

  • think about these global challenges across traditional subject boundaries
  • understand the relevance and impact of their own subject discipline in the broader context

Social responsibility and sustainability

The University ensures that social, ethical and environmental concerns influence its decision making and the way it operates day to day.

We were recently ranked as third best in the UK's higher education sector for environmental and social responsibility.

Contact details

For more information on these events, please contact Dr Sutherland Maciver.

Sutherland Maciver

Contact details

Notes

These events will be photographed and recorded for promotional and recruitment materials for the University and University approved third parties.

Image courtesy NASA.