The 10 Best Autumn talks
Top up your brain cells with our pick of lectures taking place around the country – and online
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.1. Gresham College, London
Weekly, free, gresham.ac.uk
The City of London has provided free lectures and talks to the people of the city since the days of James VI – and there is still one going on most lunchtimes today.
2. IQ2: What on Earth Are You Eating?, London
23 Oct, £25, bit.ly/iqfood
AA Gill leads a panel of experts exploring what the secret of good taste really is. Is it the ingredients? Or something else?
3. YouTube EDU
Free, youtube.com/education
Looking a little bit cold outside? The bed a tad too comfy? Have a lecture in your lounge using some of the thousands of university lectures on YouTube EDU.
4. Royal Ulster Academy, Northern Ireland
Free, bit.ly/ulsterartists
Every week, one of the Academy's exhibited artists hosts a free lunchtime lecture in the Ulster Museum Lecture Theatre.
5. Model Ships, Model Science, National Museum of Scotland
25 Oct, free, bit.ly/scotlandmodelship
This makes the science-deaf child open their ears to the joys of the three sciences.
6. Edward Lear's Lines of Flight, British Academy
1 Nov, free, bit.ly/academylear
Matthew Bevis examines the intersections between birds and people in Edward Lear's paintings and poems.
7. Steven Berkoff in Conversation, ICA, London
26 Oct, £5/free, bit.ly/icaberkoff
Geoffrey Colman talks to the acclaimed actor, playwright and director Steven Berkoff. Forget your al-desko lunch, go see this.
8. IQ2: Hitler's Pope, London
14 Nov, £25, bit.ly/iqhitlerpope
History's popes are not an order of men divorced from controversy. This Intelligence Squared talk looks at the toxic legacy of Pius XII.
9. Why Nature and Heritage Matter, Birmingham Uni
30 Oct, free, bit.ly/brumheritage
Why does the past matter? The director-general of the National Trust, Fiona Reynolds, explains why heritage is so important.
10. TED Lectures
Free, ted.com
Another one for the intellectual who doesn't want to venture into the autumn cold. TED showcases the best talks by the best minds from all over the world.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments