Lyme Disease: Is it safe to walk in the park? - Professor Patricia Nuttall

A consideration of the likelihood of being bitten by a tick carrying the Lyme Disease spirochaete, Borrelia burgdorferi. The disease was first described in the 1970s but it is now recognised in temperate regions across much of the northern hemisphere. The reasons for the seemingly prolific spread of the disease, and the prospects of controlling it, will be discussed. Yes, it is safe to walk in the park, but there are some provisos...

The Art of Rhetoric - Simon Lancaster

Most people fear giving speeches, almost as much as the rest of us dread listening to them. The lectern has a cruel capacity to render even the mighty vulnerable. Fortunately there is a science to the art of public speaking and it dates back to Ancient Greece. Simon Lancaster will open up a veritable treasure trove of ancient rhetorical devices and help you discover how to become a master in the language of leadership.

Drawings in Anglo-Saxon Manuscripts - Dr Sally Dormer

Medieval drawings are frequently viewed as the poor cousins of fully-painted miniatures. But in England, an appreciation of drawing persisted throughout the Middle Ages. Based within the late 10th and early 11th centuries, this lecture proves that drawing was more than an expedient alternative to full paint.

Home Office Mathematics - Professor Bernard Silverman

The Chief Scientific Adviser is the head of Home Office Science, which provides scientific advice and support to the whole range of the Home Office's work as the lead government department for immigration and passports, drugs policy, crime, counter-terrorism and police. Many aspects of our scientific work involve mathematics, and in this talk a selection will be presented. These show not only how mathematics is used by one particular government department, but also how wide is the range of topics where mathematical thinking and methods are important.

Baroque Violin: The Challenge of the Solo - Christopher Hogwood & Pavlo Beznosiuk

Pavlo Beznosiuk, one of the world's leading baroque violinists, explains and demonstrates the challenge of music for solo violin; works by Nicola Matteis and Heinrich Biber lead to a discussion and performance of the famous Chaconne from Bach's Solo Partita in D minor. Can such a work be satisfactorily analysed or does "music begin where words leave off"?

The Inconsistent Sun - Professor Claudio Vita-Finzi

Changes in the Sun's output can endanger health, power supplies and satellite systems. To prepare adequately for such events and to make judicious use of solar energy we need to investigate the Sun's 4.7 billion year history.

The Legal Profession: Regulating for independence - Baroness Ruth Deech

Britain’s legal profession is renowned the world over for its skill and independence. But should there be self regulation or should the profession be regulated by external bodies composed of lay members? What difference will the Legal Services Act 2007 make, and should we continue to have a divided profession, barristers and solicitors?