Gresham College

Photo of the sign outside the entrance Photo of the sign outside the entrance
Photo by me, no talks on when I was there alas

Gresham College - founded in 1537 - offers free evening lectures on a variety of subjects led by world class experts.

All of their talks are uploaded to their YouTube channel so they can be enjoyed even if you’re not in London.

Talks

Music of Light and Colour

The talk looks at how artists and musicians link colour with sound, from Kandinsky and Klee to modern ways of turning light into rhythm and tune.

Free

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Modern Art Music

Why Do We Grieve?

The talk looks at how animals and people grieve, asking whether elephants and whales feel loss and if a pill could one day ease human sorrow.

Free

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Health Nature

An Ocean of Air

The talk explains what the atmosphere is made of, how it changes around the world, and how human actions have altered it and affected our future.

Free

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Nature Science

Mithras: Master of Mystery

A talk looks at a Roman secret religion, asking what can be learned about its hidden shrines, sacred stories, followers and secret ceremonies.

Free

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Religion

Will You Be AI’s Pet?

A talk looking at how people may become more controlled by AI, weighing the comfort and safety it brings against the loss of independence and risk.

Free

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Technology Health

Alien Earths: What Makes Us Special?

A talk about the growing list of planets found beyond our Solar System, why none match Earth yet, and what that might mean for finding worlds like ours.

Free

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Science

Lee Miller's Indelible Images

Antony Penrose shares stories about his mother Lee Miller’s time photographing the Holocaust, explaining how her shocking images became lasting proof of events.

Free

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Photography Conflict

Peacebuilding through the Visual Arts

Professor Mitchell looks at how artists from past and present wars, from Paul Nash to today’s conflict zones, turn pain into images that can support healing and fresh hope.

Free

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Conflict

Climate Risk and Insurance

Professor Raghavendra Rau explains how climate extremes and politics can hit markets all at once, why old ways of sharing risk fail, and what fixes might work.

Free

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Economics

The Ground We Stand On

A talk that looks at how land changes over time, showing how rocks and soil shift and form the ground we use and depend on every day.

Free

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Science

Music of Earth and Space

The talk looks at how music and the universe link through vibration and sound, showing how people have tried to hear harmony in the cosmos.

Free

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Music Science