14 June 2007

First Circle by Professor Nick Wade

A University of Dundee professor will try to run circles around his audience as he launches the Homecoming 2007 series of public lectures this Saturday - or rather he won’t because, as his talk will illustrate, circles cannot be seen.

In his talk `First Circle’, Professor Nick Wade, of the School of Psychology, will explain that what we call circles do not satisfy the way they are defined.

"What was the first circle? Have you ever seen a circle? These are questions that people rarely consider, but despite the fact that we think circles surround us we have never seen one!" said Professor Wade.

"Circles are a mathematical abstraction and a perceptual phantom. We see a world of three-dimensional objects rather than two-dimensional shapes. Despite these conundrums, circles have proved one of the most significant shapes in our environment."

"They have been used to advance sciences, to study senses, and as potent symbols. These graphical aspects of circles are what will be celebrated in my talk."

Professor Wade’s talk takes place in the Queen Mother Building at the University of Dundee on Saturday June 16th at 11 am. It is the first in a day-long series of public lectures being held as part of the University’s Homecoming 2007, when around 500 former students are expected to return to the campus for various events over the weekend.

Other speakers delivering lectures include the broadcaster and comedian Fred Macaulay, a former accountancy student at Dundee as well as a past Rector. The full programme of lectures can be seen at /externalrelations/alumni/homecoming2007/

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk