Public lecture podcasts artwork

Public lecture podcasts

393 episodes - English - Latest episode: 17 days ago - ★★★ - 5 ratings

The University of Bath podcasts are a series of public lectures available to download for free.

Enhance your understanding of subjects ranging from how babies develop to the workings of the universe. Learn from academics and business and industry experts.

The University of Bath is a leading UK insitution. We offer a distinctive blend of research-led teaching, an outstanding graduate employment record and personal development opportunties.

Education
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Episodes

Professor Steve Gough inaugural lecture: Is education unnatural?

May 15, 2013 00:00 - 1 hour - 28.4 MB

In this lecture Professor Steve Gough spoke to explore inconsistencies in the way we think of education, and to examine the role of human learning as our interactions with nature - particularly through economic activity - create and re-create our environment.

Presidents & American foreign policy

May 15, 2013 00:00 - 49 minutes - 22.6 MB

Are trends in global politics simply the result of large impersonal structural forces, or does human agency matter? For example, would America have become the dominant country in the 20th century regardless of who was president? To what extent did leaders matter, and if so, what kind of leader? Leadership theorists focus their attention on what they call transformational leaders, but were "transformational" leaders like Woodrow Wilson and Ronald Reagan really more important than "transactiona...

A brief history of infinity

May 01, 2013 00:00 - 54 minutes - 24.8 MB

Where did the idea of infinity come from? Who were the people who defined and refined this paradoxical quantity? Why is infinity, a concept we can never experience or truly grasp, at the heart of science? How can some infinities be bigger than others? An exploration of one of the most mind-boggling features of maths and physics, this talk uncovers the amazing paradoxes of infinity and introduces the people who devised and refined the concept.

How technology can help older people

April 25, 2013 00:00 - 1 hour - 28.8 MB

44th Annual Lecture of Bath Institute of Medical Engineering (BIME) Professor Gail Mountain, Professor of Health Services Research (Assisted Living Research) at University of Sheffield; Director of EPSRC-funded SMART Consortium & Principle Director of KT-EQUAL Consortium will describe how technology can be used to meet the needs of an ageing population.

Professor David Coley inaugural lecture: Are buildings evil?

April 25, 2013 00:00 - 35 minutes - 16.3 MB

In this inaugural lecture, Professor David Coley from the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering will address why so few buildings in the UK are built using the low-energy technologies that are now available.

Professor Tess Ridge inaugural lecture: Through the eyes of a child

April 25, 2013 00:00 - 44 minutes - 20.4 MB

In this inaugural lecture, Professor Tess Ridge from the Department of Social and Policy Sciences, will be discussing the hidden costs of the Government's poverty and austerity policies for Britain's poorest children.

Archaeology, common rights and the origins of Britishness

April 25, 2013 00:00 - 43 minutes - 19.8 MB

In this lecture, Dr Susan Oosthuizen, historic landscape specialist from the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education, will explore the archaeological evidence for the management of prehistoric pasture.

How to build an Olympic stadium

April 25, 2013 00:00 - 38 minutes - 17.7 MB

In this lecture, Dr Paul Shepherd from the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering will share the secrets behind the building of the Olympic Park and explore the ways in which mathematics was used in the construction and operation of the Olympic Games.

The science of breakfast in weight management and health

April 25, 2013 00:00 - 43 minutes - 20 MB

In this lecture, Dr James Betts from the Department of Health will examine the importance of eating breakfast for overall good health, and whether missing breakfast could increase a person's risk of becoming overweight or suffering from heart disease or diabetes.

No job for a woman: insights into the manufacture of explosives and shell filling in First World War

April 25, 2013 00:00 - 50 minutes - 23.1 MB

In response to the shortage of munitions hampering military operations in France, in 1915 the British Government embarked on a programme of factory building unparalleled in history. This talk explores the construction of the major explosives and shell filling factories, the conditions within and the part played by "Tommy's Sisters" in their operation.

Say it with poison

April 25, 2013 00:00 - 43 minutes - 20.1 MB

In this lecture, Mr Russell Bowes, a freelance garden historian, will be sharing mysterious tales of how people have died in the garden, and how you can protect yourself against herbaceous murderers.

Sustainable future for wildlife and people

April 25, 2013 00:00 - 56 minutes - 25.6 MB

In this lecture, Mr Simon Garrett, Head of Learning at Bristol Zoo, asks the controversial question of how much wildlife we actually need, or even like in this thought provoking insight into the future.

Contemporary art in sacred spaces

April 25, 2013 00:00 - 44 minutes - 20.4 MB

In this lecture, art history and cultural theory lecturer Dr Jonathan Koestle-Cate will examine how modern art continues to play a significant role in the life of the church.

Founders Day lecture 2013: Trust and transparency in public life and business

March 15, 2013 00:00 - 1 hour - 28.4 MB

Lord Tugendhat, the Chancellor of the University of Bath, talks about trust and transparency in public life and business.

Professor Chris Martin inaugural lecture: Monetary policy and the financial crisis

November 18, 2012 00:00 - 55 minutes - 25.5 MB

Professor Chris Martin investigates the country's current financial crisis looking at the underlying cause, the symptoms and long-term effects.

The rise and fall of the gene

July 31, 2012 00:00 - 45 minutes - 20.7 MB

Professor Mark Lindsay talks about the rise and fall of the gene and respiratory diseases.

Professor Paul Salkovskis inaugural lecture: Understanding and treating anxiety

June 29, 2012 00:00 - 1 hour - 81.6 MB

Professor Paul Salkovskis talks about understanding and treating anxiety.

Protecting architectural world heritage from earthquakes

June 19, 2012 00:00 - 45 minutes - 20.6 MB

Dr Dina D'Ayala discusses the fundamental concepts of earthquake engineering and recent research developments in the field of earthquake protection.

Money, power and competition

June 19, 2012 00:00 - 38 minutes - 17.7 MB

Entrepreneur and journalist Margaret Heffernan takes a fresh look at money and power.

The forgotten Queen of Bath: Remembering author/Mayoress Madame Sarah Grand

June 14, 2012 00:00 - 36 minutes - 16.7 MB

Maura Dunst of the University of Hull looks at the forgotten 'Queen of Bath' Madam Sarah Grand.

Maths and the making of the modern world

May 29, 2012 00:00 - 54 minutes - 24.9 MB

Professor Chris Budd describes the maths behind Google and the Ipod and shows how maths has led to the modern information revolution.

Hounds for Heroes

May 17, 2012 00:00 - 43 minutes - 19.7 MB

June Ward talks about the charity Hounds for Heroes.

Founders Day lecture 2012: Sport - past, present & future

May 16, 2012 00:00 - 48 minutes - 21.9 MB

University's Director of Sport Stephen Baddeley introduces a series of speakers celebrating the University's journey to become one of the UK's leading centres for high-performance sport and a key player in preparation for the 2012 London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

Founders Day lecture 2012: Planets, life and the universe

April 19, 2012 00:00 - 58 minutes - 26.8 MB

Lord Rees of Ludlow talks about the history of the universe.

Urban peregrines - Bath's very own speed hunters

March 26, 2012 00:00 - 46 minutes - 21.1 MB

Learning officer for the Bristol Dinosaur Project Ed Drewitt reveals another side to Peregrines, not only as majestic, aerial hunters but as opportunistic falcons living often nomadic lives.

Public libraries: Past present and future

March 20, 2012 00:00 - 52 minutes - 24.1 MB

University of Bath librarian Howard Nicholson provides an outline of the history of public libraries.

University research in action

March 19, 2012 00:00 - 56 minutes - 26.1 MB

Professor Jane Millar introduces a showcase public lecture exploring three outstanding projects that highlight the research progress achieved through academia and industry collaboration.

‘From both sides now': reflections on poverty research and politics

March 19, 2012 00:00 - 51 minutes - 23.7 MB

The President of the Child Poverty Action Group, Baroness Ruth Lister, gives an insight into poverty research in the UK.

Greco-mania: an exploration of this cultural craze

March 07, 2012 00:00 - 50 minutes - 23.1 MB

Photographer and writer Roger Vlitos talks about Greco-mania.

The science of sports performance and injury prevention

March 07, 2012 00:00 - 48 minutes - 22 MB

Dr James Bilzon discusses sports science research

The painted garden

February 07, 2012 00:00 - 55 minutes - 25.6 MB

A freelance garden historian, Russell Bowes, will use the clues displayed or hidden in paintings to look at the major developments of gardening styles from ancient times to the present day.

On the secrets of human motivation

November 30, 2011 00:00 - 1 hour - 102 MB

World-renowned psychologist Professor Richard Ryan talks about why video games are so addictive and why people can't wait for the weekend.

William Herschel Society lecture 2011: Active galaxy jets - an exhausting business

November 29, 2011 00:00 - 50 minutes - 23.2 MB

Professor Diana Worrall addresses our understanding of the Universe, and the largely uncharted structures that we find when we explore space.

A nice cup of tea

November 25, 2011 00:00 - 55 minutes - 25.5 MB

Garden historian Russell Bowes talks about the horticultural history of the tea bag, from its origins in the foothills of the Himalayas right through to the modern tea bag.

Why do we need social science?

November 21, 2011 00:00 - 1 hour - 33.5 MB

The Campaign for Social Science SW Regional Roadshow aims to raise the profile of social science in the public, media and Parliament, in context of changes to the funding of teaching and research.

Energy storage - the missing link

November 18, 2011 00:00 - 1 hour - 29.6 MB

Professor Peter Bruce of the the University of St Andrews talks about the need for a step change in the performance of energy storage devices for the future in order to help us achieve a low-carbon world.

Two great war poets: Gurney and Owen

November 18, 2011 00:00 - 1 hour - 38.4 MB

Jon Stallworthy, Emeritus Professor of English Literature at Oxford University and Dr Jane Potter of Oxford Brookes University, discuss the lives of Ivor Gurbey and Wilfred Owen.

Journeys in indigo

November 15, 2011 00:00 - 59 minutes - 27.1 MB

Dr Jenny Balfour-Paul, honorary research fellow at the University of Exeter and fellow at the Royal Geographical Society and the Explorers Club, tells a compelling story of indigo, the world's oldest, most magical and best-loved dye.

Alan Cotton inaugural lecture: A sense of place

November 14, 2011 00:00 - 1 hour - 28.5 MB

Alan Cotton, Honorary Professor of Art at the University of Bath, gives his inaugural lecture where he presents stories about people and places from his travels.

Moon gods, demons and the sacred disease: A history of epilepsy and how we treat it

November 03, 2011 00:00 - 1 hour - 30.3 MB

Dr Roland Jones, a neuropharmacologist from the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology at the University of Bath, will explores the history of epilepsy.

An engineering adventure

October 26, 2011 00:00 - 46 minutes - 21.1 MB

Dan Johns, engineer for Bloodhound SSC, the latest attempt at the land speed World record, talks about his involvement with the project.

Towering ambition: William Beckford and his buildings in Wiltshire and Bath

October 26, 2011 00:00 - 55 minutes - 25.1 MB

Dr Amy Frost investigates all of the architectural wonders that William Beckford spent his life constructing in this detailed biography.

Changing attitudes to disability

October 24, 2011 00:00 - 43 minutes - 19.9 MB

Bath Institute of Medical Engineering (BIME) President Baroness Masham of Ilton, who is also the Founder and President of the Spinal Injuries Association, and Dr Elizabeth White, Head of Research & Development at the College of Occupational Therapists deliver the BIME lecture.

Professor Christine Griffin inaugural lecture: Identity and belonging in young people’s lives

July 25, 2011 00:00 - 55 minutes - 25.2 MB

The lecture focused on Professor Griffin's research about young people's everyday lives and what is important to them. She argued that young people are usually most concerned with fitting in, with where they belong in psychological and social terms - and with having fun. However, young people in affluent western societies are the target of substantial marketing campaigns that take full advantage of this in their advertising, branding and marketing of a range of products.

The crossroads of global capitalism

July 17, 2011 00:00 - 1 hour - 29.1 MB

Western countries need to put far more effort into understanding China and other rising powers, argues Professor Peter Nolan in a public lecture hosted by the Humanities & Social Sciences Graduate School. Professor Nolan (from the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge) reviews the spectacular achievements of global business over the last thirty years.

Professor Rob Price inaugural lecture: Crystals, particles & powders

May 31, 2011 00:00 - 1 hour - 28.6 MB

Professor Rob Price delivers his inaugural lecture on his research in the field of aerosol science.

Rutherford's Legacy

May 23, 2011 00:00 - 1 hour - 33.4 MB

Dr Glenn Patrick of the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory near Oxford looks at how particle physics has developed following Rutherford's discovery and what developments we might expect.

Graphene: Sketching out a new world

May 23, 2011 00:00 - 55 minutes - 25.6 MB

Dr David Horsell of the University of Exeter explores graphene, nature's thinnest material.

The rise of the Grid and the Large Hadron Collider

May 23, 2011 00:00 - 53 minutes - 24.3 MB

Particle Physicist Dr Glenn Patrick talks about the Large Hadron Collider. Based at CERN, in Geneva, the collider is the largest scientific machine in the world. It started operation in the summer of 2008 and aims to produce colossal amounts of data, which thousands of scientists around the world will analyse to further our understanding of the universe.

Civilisation: Who decides? Heritage and the fabrication of history

May 23, 2011 00:00 - 41 minutes - 18.9 MB

Leading architectural historian Dr Simon Thurley looks at the growing role of the state in the cultural life of the nation in the 40th Anniversary Gerald Walter's Memorial Lecture