The 221st lecture series
Season 2022/23
Our Members’ Newsletter can be viewed here.
The Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow was founded in 1802, when the term ‘philosophy’ meant knowledge in the broadest sense. The Society provides stimulating lectures and discussion for members on a great diversity of topics.
Our 2022/23 Session is well underway. See below for our exciting forthcoming speakers. You can also see our previous speakers using the ‘Lectures’ tab and clicking on Past Lectures, and see the trips planned in 2023 in the latest Members’ Newsletter, accessible from the ‘News’ tab
See below for details of the exciting line-up of speakers for 2023.
If you are someone who enjoys learning about what is happening in the world around you, being introduced to new discoveries and exposed to new ideas, and are not already a member, then join us and expand your horizons!
upcoming lectures
- 01 Mar, 23Upcoming
Sir Philip Augar
The big end of town? Coming to terms with the CityWednesday, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm15 Mar, 23UpcomingProfessor Tim Birkhead
Aitche is for Auk: the Life and Afterlife of the Great AukWednesday, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm22 Mar, 23UpcomingProfessor Lord Paul Bew
Why have the British never understood Ireland/Northern IrelandThe British Academy LectureWednesday, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm05 Apr, 23UpcomingProfessor Anil Seth
From beast machines to dreamachinesWednesday, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pmPrevious eclectic, diverse lectures from leading figures
The Mind of a bee!
See Professor Lars Chittka's talk for the society "The Mind of the Bee" from January 2021. Bees have a diverse instinctual repertoire that allows the functioning of the beehive like a smoothly oiled factory, with different workers specialising in comb construction, climate control system, defence and foraging for nectar and pollen. However, the richness of bees’ instincts has traditionally been contrasted with the notion that bees’ small brains allow little behavioural flexibility and learning behaviour.
Watch nowThe Origins of Genocide
When he receives an invitation to deliver a lecture in the Ukrainian city of Lviv, international lawyer Philippe Sands begins a journey on the trail of his family’s secret history. In doing so, he uncovers a series of unlikely coincidences that lead him halfway across the world, to the origins of modern international law, in the 1945 ‘moment’ and at the Nuremberg trial. ‘East West Street’: on the origins of genocide and crimes against humanity, on the individual and the group. See Prof Philippe Sands lecture for the Royal Phil.
Watch nowActive since 1802 to present day
SOCIETY INAUGURATION
0n the 5th November 1802, three Glaswegian gentlemen, John Roberton, William Douglas, and Peter Nicholson, acting on behalf of a number of others in the city who were ‘interested in the prosperity of the Trades and Manufactures of their country’, and anxious for ‘the improvement of the Arts and Sciences’ ...
Find out moreOur New Home
We started our new session in our new home in the Sir Charles Wilson Building at Glasgow University.
Learn moreMember activities
Members' trip to York
In March 2022, there was a very successful three day trip to York which was packed with interesting and informative visits and talks. The trip also provided an opportunity to meet with a similar organisation to ours, this being the Yorkshire Philosophical Society (YPS).
See more about the tripJoin the Society
Membership brings free access to all talks as well as other benefits. After each talk you can meet the lecturer and other society members over a glass of wine.
Membership brings free access to all talks as well as other benefits.
Learn
Listen to and participate in a wide variety of outstanding talks from our guest speakers.Support
Membership supports an institution which keeps the engaging, inspiring and lively activities of the society going for the next two centuries!Meet others
Meet like-minded people with a similar passion for learning and ideas.Recent Lectures
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Professor Gerry Carruthers
Robert Burns and 18th Century ThoughtProfessor Gerard Carruthers Professor of Scottish Literature, University of Glasgow Gerard Carruthers FRSE is Francis Hutcheson Professor of Scottish Literature at the University of Glasgow. He is General Editor of…
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Changing the Lens on Mental Health.
Alastair Campbell
Alastair Campbell Communicator, Writer, Strategist Alastair Campbell is a writer, communicator and strategist best known for his role as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s spokesman, press secretary and director…
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Left Behind: How poor places can get trapped, and how they can catch up.
Professor Sir Paul Collier
The Bowman Lecture in association with the University of GlasgowProfessor Sir Paul Collier Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School, University of Oxford. Sir Paul Collier is Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the Blavatnik…
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General Practice at the Deep End
Professor Graham Watt
Please note that this is a change to the advertised talk caused by unforeseen circumstances. Professor Graham Watt MD FRCGP FRSE FMedSci CBE Emeritus Professor, General Practice and Primary Care,…
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The Nature of Justice.
Baroness Helena Kennedy KC
Baroness Helena Kennedy KC Specialist in Civil Liberties and Human Rights Baroness Helena Kennedy KC is one of Britain's most distinguished lawyers. She has spent her professional life giving voice…
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Making a materials difference to Green Energy (batteries included).
Professor Saiful Islam
Professor Saiful Islam Saiful Islam is Professor of Materials Science at the University of Oxford. He grew up in London and obtained his Chemistry degree and PhD from University College…
12Talks per year900Active Members220Years of history