The Society's popular Monday night lecture series features renowned speakers discussing informative, educational and enlightening subjects.
The lectures are open to members and Fellows. On some occasions, members and Fellows are invited to bring one guest - please check the listings below or your Bulletin in advance.
- Booking is not required to attend Monday night lectures
- Seats are not reserved and are offered on a first come, first served basis
- Please show your Society membership card on arrival
- For lectures open to members plus one guest, guests arriving separately should be met at the Exhibition Road entrance
- Doors open at 5.30pm
- Attendees are requested to take their seats in the Ondaatje Theatre by 6.20pm
- Lectures begin at 6.30pm, and end by 7.45pm
Religion for atheists
Alain de Botton
- Monday 6 February 2012 at 6.30pm (members only)
Atheist Alain de Botton, looks at the enduring relevance of religious rituals and pilgrimages, and reveals how religions can be of interest and use, even to nonbelievers.
The human future
Sir Crispin Tickell
- Monday 13 February 2012 at 6.30pm (members only)
Humans have changed the face of the Earth. Sir Crispin Tickell considers the future for the human race in an overpopulated, globalised world with increasingly degraded natural resources.
Survivors
Richard Fortey
- Monday 20 February 2012 at 6.30pm (members only)
Life on Earth is far older – and odder – than many of us realise. Palaeontologist Richard Fortey documents life’s ‘old timers’ through the stories of organisms that have survived from deep geological time.
Migration and climate change: It is not that simple!
Richard Black
- Monday 27 February 2012 at 6.30pm (members and one guest)
Migration and climate change are connected in many different, and sometimes unexpected, ways. Richard Black, a leading expert on the UK Government Foresight Panel on this topic, explores the challenges and debates.
An African love story
Dame Daphne Sheldrick
- Monday 5 March 2012 at 6.30pm (members only)
Dame Daphne Sheldrick talks about her amazing life in Kenya with late husband David Sheldrick, founder Warden of Tsavo National Park, and her pioneering conservation work, rearing and rehabilitating some of Kenya’s wild animals.
Vanishing ecosystems
Andrew Church
- Monday 12 March 2012 at 6.30pm (members and one guest)
Eco systems provide us with natural resources but the cultural and health benefits of national parks and wildlife are often underappreciated. Andrew Church looks at the cultural value of the natural world.
Fire and the future of Amazonia
Jos Barlow
- Monday 19 March 2012 at 6.30pm (members and one guest)
A recipient of the Society’s Peter Fleming Award, Jos Barlow examines how wildfires drastically alter forest structure in the Amazon, and evaluates whether attempts there to limit the use of fire in agriculture are likely to succeed.
Madagascar’s spiny forest
Thomas Elmqvist
- Monday 26 March 2012 at 6.30pm (members and one guest)
Dry spiny forest in the southern part of this wonderful island is home to many endemic species, including the endearing ring tailed lemur. Thomas Elmqvist looks at loss and regeneration and the role of social institutions in this fascinating forest.
Swimming on top of the world
Lewis Pugh
- Monday 23 January 2012 at 6.30pm (members and one guest)
Lewis Pugh, endurance swimmer and environmental campaigner, gives a riveting account of his unique achievements, swimming long distance across the North Pole and the Pumori glacial lake on Mount Everest.
This lecture is a repeat of the 11 May 2011 City lecture held at the Clothworkers’ Hall.
Walking on a dream – on foot, solo across Iran
Mark Kalch
- Monday 5 December 2011 at 6.30pm (members and one guest)
Uncover the rich contradictions of the Islamic Republic of Iran as Mark recounts his solo expedition from the Caspian Sea to the Persian Gulf. This lecture is a repeat of the City lecture held on 25 October 2011 at the Clothworkers’ Hall, London.
Frozen Planet
Alastair Fothergill
- Monday 12 December 2011 at 6.30pm (members only)
In a highly illustrated lecture, Alastair Fothergill, the series producer of The Blue Planet and Planet Earth, will tell the epic story behind the making of his latest BBC series which looks at the natural history of both polar regions.
Revisited
Nick Danziger
- Monday 9 January 2012 at 6.30pm (members and one guest)
Visiting eight countries on four continents, Nick Danziger, supported by the Society's Neville Shulman Award, returns to the same people he photographed five years ago to see how the United Nations Millennium Development Goals are transforming their lives. A related exhibition will be on show until 11 January 2012.
Up in smoke
Mike Hands
- Monday 16 January 2012 at 6.30pm (members and one guest)
Slash-and-burn farming contributes to deforestation and global warming. After 25 years working with local communities in Central America, Mike Hands believes he has a sustainable alternative but can he convince governments and the farmers?
The rediscovery of Machu Picchu
Hugh Thomson
- Monday 30 January 2012 at 6.30pm (members and one guest)
The Inca city, sprawled across a remote ridge in Peru, was rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. Author Hugh Thomson celebrates Bingham’s extraordinary achievements as both an explorer and photographer.
This lecture is repeated at our City branch on 27 March 2012.
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