The Romanes Lecture is an annual public lecture held by the University of Oxford. In it, a distinguished figure is incited to talk. The first was given in 1892, and famous speakers have included Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, Tony Blair, Sir Isaiah Berlin, AJP Taylor, and Sir Paul Nurse, among many others.
Since its establishment, the Romanes Lecture has become a significant academic tradition at Oxford, drawing audiences eager to hear from some of the most influential thinkers and leaders of their time. The lectures often cover a wide array of topics, reflecting the diverse expertise of the invited speakers, and contribute to the university’s mission of fostering knowledge and innovation.
The legacy of the Romanes Lecture continues to thrive, with each annual event reinforcing the University of Oxford’s reputation as a center for intellectual excellence and public engagement.
What is Oxford University's Romanes Lecture?
The Romanes Lecture is held by the University of Oxford annually. This public lecture features prominent speakers from various fields such as arts, literature, and science. This public lecture series aims to enrich academic and public discourse by presenting insightful talks from distinguished figures.
The inception of the Romanes Lecture series dates back to 1892, when William Ewart Gladstone, a notable British statesman and Liberal politician, delivered the first lecture. This event was initiated by George John Romanes, a celebrated biologist and fellow of Christ Church, who envisioned the lecture series as a platform for intellectual engagement and scholarly discussion.
Past Oxford Romanes Lectures + Videos
Over the years, the Romanes Lecture has featured a wide array of influential speakers, beginning with William Ewart Gladstone, the British statesman, who delivered the inaugural lecture. Subsequent speakers have included prominent personalities such as Thomas Huxley, Winston Churchill, and Theodore Roosevelt, covering diverse subjects from evolutionary ethics to the impact of personality in politics.
Each year, there is a different lecture. There are some examples and how to watch them online:
- 2023: Will Digital Intelligence Replace Biological Intelligence? Delivered by Professor Geoffrey Hinton, CC, FRS, FRSC (video)
- 2022: The centre will hold. Liberal democracy and the populist threat. Delivered by Taoiseach Micheál Martin T.D., Prime Minister of Ireland (video)
- 2021: From wartime to peacetime: Lessons from the vaccine taskforce. Delivered by Dame Catherine Elizabeth Bingham, DBE (known as Kate Bingham) (video)
- 2020: Law in a time of crisis. Delivered by Baroness Hale of Richmond (video)
- 2019: The Profession of Intelligence. Delivered by Baroness Eliza Manningham-Buller.
- 2018: The Pacification of Cyberspace. Delivered by Dr Vint Cerf.
Where to Listen to Oxford Romanes Lectures Online
(Podcast Versions)
You can listen to several previous Romanes lectures through the website of the University of Oxford. There is actually a podcast that has the lectures online and accessible to all for free. Click on the links below to listen!
- 2019: Making the Case for Democracy. Hilary Clinton delivers the Romanes Lecture of Hope in the Sheldonian Theatre.
- 2012: The Limits of Science. Martin Rees of Ludlow delivers the Romanes Lecture of 2011.
- 2009: Tony Blair: The Learning Habit. Tony Blair delivers a Romanes lecture explaining what the government was seeking to achieve with its education reform.
- 2009: Gordon Brown: Science and our Economic Future. Gordon Brown delivers a Romanes lecture about investing in science and the future of competitiveness.
- 2008: Muhammad Yunus: A Poverty-free World? Muhammad Yunus delivers a Romanes lecture on the possibility of a poverty free world.
Links and Resources
Some relevant links and more information about the Romanes Lecture:
Learn More About Oxford University and the Lectures
Dive into the rich history and intellectual legacy of Oxford University with a little curated collection of books. From the founding of the university to contemporary academic contributions, these books provide a comprehensive understanding of Oxford’s influence on global scholarship.
