Upcoming Lectures
- 01 Mar, 23Upcoming
Sir Philip Augar
The big end of town? Coming to terms with the CityWednesday, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Previous eclectic, diverse lectures from leading figures

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.
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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

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’ ...
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We are really excited to be moving into our new home (as soon as conditions allow) in the brand new James McCune Smith lecture theatre, part of the new development at Glasgow University. There we will have the latest facilities for our talks and social activities.
Learn moreJoin 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.
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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…