13 January 2009

Dundee Lecture Series celebrates 85th anniversary

The University of Dundee’s popular Saturday Evening Lecture Series celebrates its 85th anniversary in 2009 with one of the most varied and interesting programmes it has ever seen.

The success or failure of Obama’s first 100 days in office, the language of cutting-edge design, the death of privacy, media scare stories, a journey through countries and cuisine from India to the UK, and an exploration of Britain and Ireland’s wild places - all of these subjects will be discussed through the series by some of the leading names in their respective fields.

'We are absolutely delighted that for the 85th anniversary we have been able to attract a whole host of excellent speakers who I am sure will keep our audiences entertained throughout the series,' said Joan Concannon, Director of External Relations at the University.

'Our lectures have seen a real surge in popularity over the last few years and I am sure we will continue to see that over the next few months. All of the lectures, as ever, are free to attend and represent a wonderful opportunity to hear some of our leading thinkers present their views on a wide range of topics.'

Deyan Sudjic, Director of the Design Museum and Visiting Professor at the Royal College of Art, will present the first lecture in the series on Saturday January 31st.

His lecture, titled 'The Language of Things' will deliver an exhilarating insider's history of design as he introduces us to the world's most original innovators and reveals the hidden meanings in their work. From the opulent excesses of the catwalk, or the technical brilliance of a laptop computer, to the subtle refinement of a desk lamp, he shows how we can be manipulated and seduced by our possessions.

Further dates in the series will include respected political commentator Charlie Cook, who will examine Barack Obama’s first 100 days in office; Christopher Somerville, author of the BBC’s `Coast’ series, offering a look at Britain and Ireland’s wild places; and writer and curator Hugh Aldersey-Williams dissecting the `mad science’ of media scare stories on everything from bird flu to melting icecaps.

Writer Yasmin Alibhai-Brown will lead the audience through her `Settlers Cookbook’, a personal history through food and a journey from India to Uganda to Britain, while Professor Anne Anderson will pose the question 'Is Privacy Dead In The Digital Age?'.

All lectures will be held in the Dalhousie Building, located on the main campus of the University, on the corner of Old Hawkhill and Hunter Street. Lectures start at 6 pm, all are welcome to attend, and they are free.

Tickets for all lectures are available from the Tower Building reception at the University, the Borders book store at Gallagher Retail Park in Dundee, and though the University’s online store - http://www.buyat.dundee.ac.uk.

The full list of lectures is:

• 31 January:
  Deyan Sudjic -
  'The Language of Things'
  We live in a world drowning in objects. But what do they tell us about ourselves? In The Language of Things, Sudjic delivers an exhilarating insider's history of design as he introduces us to the world's most original innovators and reveals the hidden meanings in their work. From the opulent excesses of the catwalk, or the technical brilliance of a laptop computer, to the subtle refinement of a desk lamp, he shows how we can be manipulated and seduced by our possessions. Deyan Sudjic is the Director of the Design Museum, a former architecture critic for the Observer and a visiting professor at the Royal College of Art.
• 28 February:>
  Professor Anne Anderson -
  'Is Privacy Dead in the Digital Age?'
  We all have access to more computing and communication devices than George Orwell's Big Brother could dream about. How can we deploy these devices to improve our lives yet protect our privacy? Access to these new technologies brings responsibilities for individuals and organisations. Or as Sun Microsystems' CEO Scott McNealy said 'Privacy is dead - deal with it'. Professor Anderson is Vice-Principal and Head of College of Art, Science and Engineering at the University of Dundee.
• 7 March:
  Hugh Aldersey-Williams -
  'The mad science of media scare stories'
  From bird flu to melting icecaps, the media assails us with stories of our imminent destruction. Why do they do it to us, why do we lap it up, what harm - or good - does this do to society, and how can we learn to deal more rationally with the world of risk? In this lecture Hugh Aldersley-Williams will give insight into these issues.
• 14 March:
  Christopher Somerville -
  'Britain and Ireland's Wild Places, in Conversation with Julia Somerville'
  Christopher Somerville has spent twenty-five years walking the country lanes, back hills and wildernesses of Britain and Ireland, and believes he has learnt most things of importance while outdoors. He is the author of Coast and Coast: The Journey Continues, which accompanied the BBC2 series. He writes regularly on country walks, for publications including the Daily Telegraph and Saga. In this lecture, the renowned broadcaster, (and Christopher's sister) Julia Somerville will interview Christopher about his experiences in Britain's Wilderness.
• 4 April:
  Yasmin Alibhai-Brown -
  The Settlers Cookbook:From India to Uganda to Britain, a personal history through food
  Yasmin Alibiha-Brown's family was part of the mass exodus from India to East Africa during the height of British expansion, fleeing famine and lured by the prospect of prosperity under the imperial regime. In 1972, they were one of the many families expelled from Uganda by Idi Amin who moved to the UK, where Yasmin has made her home with an Englishman. The food she cooks now, in one of the world's most ethnically-diverse cities, combines the traditions and tastes of her family's hybrid history. Here you'll discover how Shepherd's Pie is much enhanced by sprinkling in some chilli, Victoria sponge can be wonderfully enlivened by saffron and lime juice, and the addition of ketchup to a curry can be life-changing.
• 25 April:
  Charlie Cook -
  'The New US Presidency - 100 Days after Inauguration'
  (In association with the Graduates' Council, Discovery Lecture)
  Political heavy weight, Charlie Cook has written for almost every publication of note in America and now has a blog, is a political analyst for NBC News and is widely regarded as one of the nation's leading authorities on U.S. elections and political trends. Charlie Cook will give a lecture assessing the US Presidential election campaign, the first 100 days in office of the new Presidency and what this means for America and the rest of the world.

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