Adelard events

We’re marking our 60th anniversary with a series of lectures named in honour of Adelard of Bath, the influential 12th‑century natural philosopher.

Please register your interest in attending our future Adelard Series talks

Adelard Livestream

Watch the livestream recording of the first Adelard lecture with Professor Sir Chris Whitty, starting at 7.15pm, Thursday 26 March.

The programme draws on our heritage and future focus to showcase bold ideas that can shape the next 60 years of the University’s contribution to society, reflecting our commitment to curiosity, global knowledge exchange and evidence‑led debate.

By bringing Adelard’s story to the fore, we celebrate the legacy of the man often described as “England’s first scientist” and highlight Bath’s deep scholarly roots. Working with partners including the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, Bath Festivals and Bath Digital Festival, we’re convening thinkers whose ideas span science, society and public policy, with a focus on our core research themes: health, digital and sustainability.

Professor Sir Chris Whitty

In the first Adelard Lecture, Professor Sir Chris Whitty reflects on decades of progress in health and the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Marking the start of the University of Bath’s 60th Anniversary, this Adelard Lecture invites Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Chris Whitty to reflect on how health interventions have evolved over the past sixty years and what this experience can teach us about the future.

He will look at the major advances that have improved public health, the role of preventative approaches in helping people stay well for longer, and areas where progress has been uneven or slow. Drawing on decades of evidence, he will explore the challenges that remain and the opportunities emerging through research and innovation.

Health showcase

A health showcase, featuring Bath students, researchers and innovators, took place ahead of the first Adelard lecture.

This event and many of the research projects featured in this showcase have been supported by the EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account and the ESRC Impact Acceleration Account, which enable University of Bath researchers to translate research into real-world impact and collaboration. Their support has also helped make this event possible.