Past Holmes Memorial Lectures
Lecture 1 - How engineering shapes our world
This lecture explores the fascinating world of engineering and how it impacts our everyday lives and discover why we need future engineers like you! You'll meet different types of engineers and learn about how their work is changing people's lives. From developing new prosthetics and detecting illnesses to using underwater sound to track divers and robots - it all starts with engineering!
Lecture 2 - Engineering for a better world: Clean water for all
Sustainable Development Goal 6 declares the importance of achieving "clean water and sanitation for all", but there is often too much, too little or it is too dirty. This lecture explores the term ‘water security’ and why it’s so important. You’ll learn how engineers need to work with other experts to solve problems like floods and water shortages and how these solutions are making a difference in the UK and around the world.
Lecture 1 - Humans: Can you learn to train your brain?
With Dr Yuki Kikuchi, Lecturer in Sensory, Perceptual and Cognitive Neuroscience and Ben Slater, Post Graduate Researcher, Biosciences.
Our brains are profoundly rhythmic, much like a great piece of music. In this lecture, researchers from the Faculty of Medical Sciences will explore how our brains process sounds and why this is important. We will delve into questions such as how brain rhythms help us learn and remember things more effectively, like learning a new language or revising for an exam, and how training in brain rhythms can be beneficial.
Lecture 2 - Evolving video game technology: Humans vs artificial intelligence (who will win?)
With Professor Graham Morgan, Video Game Technology Researcher.
Get ready for an epic showdown you won't want to miss! In this lecture, researchers from the School of Computing explore a mind-blowing world where AI makes your games more lifelike and is even starting to develop them. AI bots are getting so good they beat human world champions. So, who's the real MVP in this gaming universe? Is it us, the gamers, or the ever-evolving AI? Whether you're a casual gamer or dreaming of a career in game development, this lecture will give you a look into a future where humans and AI are in an epic battle for gaming supremacy. Find out who will take the crown: Humans or AI?
Lecture 1 - Keeping healthy with sport and food: An apple a day
How true is the saying ‘You are what you eat’? Humans have always been interested in how the food we eat can impact our health and wellbeing. Throughout history there have been food fads and trends. Whilst there is health advice to eat your ‘five-a-day’ and the surge in people adopting a plant-based diet has not always led to healthier eating patterns.
There is a distinguished history of nutrition research at Newcastle University. Our research has developed a diet which can reverse type 2 diabetes, influenced World Health Organisation guidance on sugar intake developed the UK national diet assessment tool and we have campaigned for free school meals for all key stage 1 children. Join Bernard Corfe, Professor of Human Health and Nutrition, and fellow academics from our Faculty of Medical Science to hear about their latest research.
Lecture 2 - Keeping healthy with sport and food: Run for your life
Sports Science researchers in our Faculty of Medical Sciences explore the effects of exercise in everyone from young children, through to adults and elite athletes and sports teams like Newcastle Falcons and Newcastle Eagles. The NHS recommends that children and adults try to be physically active every day but how does exercise and being active have an impact on our health and wellbeing?
Our research explores such questions as how can exercise strengthen our immune system and help our bodies to fight diseases like cancer; how exercise builds strong muscles and bones to keep us healthy as we age and how can we help athletes recover more quickly after competing. Join our Sports Science researchers for an interactive lecture to discover more about this fascinating area.
2022 Holmes Lectures: Our Futures in STEM
We have put together some fun and educational videos for you to enjoy from your classroom or home. Each lecture will remain in our archive for you to enjoy at your leisure.
Celebrating 150 years of Science, Agriculture and Engineering at Newcastle University
A huge amount has changed in the past 150 years. One thing has stayed the same - our commitment to making a difference. Join us as we celebrate our history and look forward to the future.
The 2022 John H Holmes Memorial Lectures focuses on the University’s staff and students, who present their visions for the future in their own fields of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).
Where are the yet unexplored depths in marine science, the heights civil engineers are reaching for, and the expanding horizons of the universe our theoretical physicists are grappling with? The Holmes Lectures aim to open our doors to your students, and give them a series of insights into why we do what we do.
Lecture 1 - Where are the Women in STEM?
This interactive lecture uncovers the history of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and the reasons why the world needs more females in these fields. We will look into the past at the forgotten roles women have undertaken in various STEM fields as well as looking into the future at where progress still needs to be made and the roles that you could take on.