Durham University’s Centre for Catholic Studies has announced the first set of speakers this academic year in its highly successful series of Ushaw Lectures.
Those giving the lectures include a well-known ‘media monk’ and a leading science writer.
Known for his writing, television and radio work, Fr Christopher Jamison OSB will open the series on 15 October. Drawing on his appearances in BBC Two series, The Monastery andThe Big Silence, Fr Christopher will be speaking on ‘Opening the Seventh Seal: the history, theology and practice of silence’. On 19 November, author and journalist Dr Michael Brooks will take as his title ‘At the Edge of Uncertainty: a journey to the wild new frontiers of science’. Having previously edited New Scientist magazine, his lecture is part of the Festival of Humanities, the UK’s first national festival dedicated to demonstrating the value, vitality and relevance of humanities research. The final speaker of the term will be Prof Stephen Regan from Durham University’s Department of English Studies. His lecture on ‘The Spirit of Christmas in English Literature’ will lead into Ushaw’s annual carol service in the college’s historic St Cuthbert’s Chapel.
This year’s Ushaw Lecture Series has been organized with the aim of promoting the archival, library and heritage holdings at the College. The lectures, delivered by expert contributors drawn from within and outside the University, draw on these wide-ranging collections to explore different disciplines and subjects, as well as the history of the English Catholic community from which the College was founded.
Speaking of the upcoming events, Dr James Kelly, St Cuthbert’s Society Fellow at the Centre for Catholic Studies and convenor of the Ushaw Lectures, said, “We are delighted that the last two years’ Ushaw Lectures have proved so popular and we are looking at building on that success this coming academic year. Acknowledging the growing interest in Ushaw and its collections, this year’s programme aims to showcase some of the more surprising holdings for a former seminary, such as the important and sometimes unique science works held in the library.”
The Ushaw lectures start with refreshments at 5:30pm before the actual talk at 6pm. Each event will be accompanied by a small exhibition of items held at Ushaw relevant to the topic. All lectures are free but you must register to attend by contacting James Kelly atjames.kelly3@durham.ac.uk or tel: 0191 334 1656
Details:
15 Oct – Fr Christopher Jamison OSB (author and broadcaster): ‘Opening the Seventh Seal: the history, theology and practice of silence’
19 Nov – Dr Michael Brooks (author and journalist): ‘At The Edge of Uncertainty: a journey to the wild new frontiers of science’
10 Dec – Prof Stephen Regan (Durham University): ‘The Spirit of Christmas in English Literature’
– Followed by Ushaw carol service