24 January 2006

From the Big Bang to the Tsunami - via JFK and Diana

World-leading experts are set to deliver entertaining and incisive analysis on everything from the 2012 Olympic Games and conspiracy theories to the `Big Bang' and diabetes in the University of Dundee's 2006 Saturday Evening Lecture series.

One of the country's longest-running and most-popular lecture series, the Saturday Evening programme is renowned for its high quality and range of speakers, and 2006 will further that reputation.

Highlights include the acclaimed writer and broadcaster Simon Singh exploring the start of our universe and the people who cracked the code of life in "The Big Bang: History of the World in 60 Minutes" and widely respected journalist and commentator David Aaronovitch giving his hugely entertaining take on the popular political suspicions of our time in "Conspiracy Theories: from JFK to Princess Diana".

The 2006 series - supported by John Smith & Son booksellers and the Apex City Quay hotel - starts on February 4th when Sir Craig Reedie, International Olympic Committee member, gives his explanantion of "How The Games Were Won", an analysis of how the 2012 Games were secured for London, how it will impact on the UK and the opportunities the Games may bring for Scotland.

Other speakers in the series include Professor Andrew Morris, Scotland's leading clinician on diabetes, on February 18th with "Metabolic Mayhem! How should we confront the Diabetes Epidemic?", Dr David Tappin of the British Geological Society on April 1st with "Tsunamis - the Catastrophic Event", and finally, on May 27th, Dr Kumi Naidoo, Secretary General of CIVICUS and CEO of the World Alliance for Citizen Participation, will speak on "Rethinking Democracy: Governance, Civil Society and the deepending democratic effect".

All lectures take place in the Tower Extension Lecture Theatre at 6 pm, entry is free and all are welcome to attend. Further information on the entire programme is available at www.dundee.ac.uk/events and enquiries can be directed to events@dundee.ac.uk or 01382 384460.

For further details:

Roddy Isles
Head of Press Office
University of Dundee
Tel: 01382 384910
Email: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk