The Sussex Lectures series for the spring term began on 22 January with a fascinating talk by Professor Jane Oakhill (Experimental Psychology), which examined the problems experienced by some 7- to 11-year-olds with comprehending texts, and showed how her findings can help children to improve their reading skills.
Malcolm Heggie (Theoretical Chemistry) will give his lecture, on ‘Graphite: A new twist’ on Tuesday 19 January. This is followed by Rob Iliffe (Intellectual History and History of Science), whose lecture on Tuesday 4 March is entitled ‘Atrocity, apostacy and apocalypse: Newton’s radical heresy in the digital age’. Finally, Andrew Smith’s lecture, ‘The flame of life: Teaching old enzymes new tricks’, will be on Tuesday 11 March.
All these lectures will be in the Chowen Lecture Theatre, BSMS at 6:30pm.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Farthing, is keen that Sussex academics should have the opportunity to give their inaugural lectures as soon as possible after they receive their professorship, so the programme of lectures has been extended to four per term.
Professor Farthing commented: “Professorial lectures are among the highlights of our academic year. Please make them a priority for your diary in 2008.”
If you would like to attend any of the professorial lectures, phone ext 7707 or email events@sussex.ac.uk to book a place. Full details can be found at www.sussex.ac.uk/lectures.
The Sussex Lectures are co-ordinated by the Development and Alumni Relations Office.