Leading scientists will explore astronomy and space science in a new season of the David Elder Lectures, delivered through a long-standing partnership between the University of Strathclyde’s Department of Physics and Glasgow Science Centre.
The hour-long lectures, hosted by the Planetarium at the Science Centre, are aimed at adults and young people aged 16 and over, and will run between September 2026 and April 2027.
The first lecture, ‘The Universe: Reality or Simulation?’, will be delivered by Catherine Heymans, the first woman to hold the title of Astronomer Royal for Scotland in its 200-year history, and a professor of observational cosmology at the University of Edinburgh, on September 23.
Night skies
Professor Heymans said: “It is such an honour to be part of the David Elder lecture series this year. For over a century, Glasgow has welcomed some of the world’s greatest astronomers from across the globe to share their excitement and passion for our night skies and exploration of the Universe.
"I’m thrilled that it’s now my turn to tell Glasgow to look up and wonder.”
Further talks include ‘Time and Space: From Atomic Clocks and Cosmic Clocks to Testing Einstein's Relativity’ by Dr Setnam Shemar of the National Physical Laboratory on October 21.
Dr Sarah Crowther of the University of Manchester, whose work focuses on analysing extra-terrestrial materials, will deliver the lecture ‘OSIRIS-REx – The journey to Bennu and back’ on November 25.
A further three lectures scheduled for February, March and April 2027 will be announced in due course.
Professor David McKee from the Department of Physics at the University of Strathclyde, said:
The David Elder Lectures have become an important part of Glasgow's scientific calendar and show the value of bringing world-leading researchers together with public audiences.
"Our partnership with Glasgow Science Centre enables us to share exciting discoveries and ideas and we are delighted to welcome another outstanding line-up of speakers for this year's series."
Global voices
Dr Stephen Breslin, CEO of the Science Centre, said: "We are delighted to continue our longstanding partnership with the University of Strathclyde to deliver the popular David Elder Lecture series.
“These lectures provide an important platform for bringing together leading global voices in astronomy with audiences from Glasgow and beyond and is a fitting way to carry on the Elder family legacy in Glasgow.”
Since the partnership between Strathclyde and Glasgow Science Centre began in 2015, the David Elder Lectures have welcomed almost 12,000 attendees across in-person and online events, and featured internationally recognised experts in astronomy, planetary science and space exploration.
The first lecture was delivered in 1905 following a bequest from the family of Clyde shipbuilder David Elder, a self-taught Scottish Victorian mill-wright and engineer whose thinking resulted in more powerful marine steam engines.
The University and the Science Centre’s long-standing partnership was strengthened through a Memorandum of Understanding, reinforcing a shared ambition to widen access to science and inspire communities across Scotland.