The four free public lectures, which will be delivered by newly-appointed professors, will be held at Anglia Ruskin’s Cambridge campus.
The inaugural lecture series kicks off on Thursday, 3 May (6.30pm) with Professor Chris Parris delivering a talk titled Anticancer treatment – why does it hurt so much and can we make it easier for patients?
Professor Parris, Head of the Department of Biomedical and Forensic Science, is an active researcher who has developed a thriving research group in the area of human DNA repair mechanisms. His lecture will explore how we can measure DNA repair in normal and cancer cells and use this information to develop individualised treatment to avoid side effects and make treatment more tolerable for cancer patients.
On Wednesday, 16 May (6.30pm), Professor Aled Jones, the inaugural Director of Anglia Ruskin’s Global Sustainability Institute, will present The apocalypse: an update.
The world is facing increasing pressures from social exclusion, inequality, environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity and climate change. Professor Jones is modelling these risks, which could trigger economic, environmental and social collapse, and looking at how we can address these challenges to create a more prosperous future for all.
John Gardner, Professor of English Literature at Anglia Ruskin, will present Machines made out of words on Thursday, 31 May (6.30pm).
Nobel Laureates in the sciences are 17 times more likely to also be painters and 12 times more likely to be poets. Professor Gardner will discuss how literature and engineering share many of the same aims, and explore the unexpected connections between literature, politics and engineering in the early nineteenth century.
The final event in the series, on Thursday, 14 June, will see Professor Catherine Meads cover the topic of Health and wellbeing in sexual minority people.
Professor Meads has been conducting research into sexual orientation and health for over 25 years, and her talk will cover her recent findings showing consistent differences in physical and mental health between sexual minorities and the majority population.
Professor Roderick Watkins, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin, said: “Inaugural lectures are important, celebratory events in any university’s calendar, and I am delighted to note the range and quality of research captured in this year’s lecture series at Anglia Ruskin.
“I warmly encourage colleagues, students and members of the public to join us in learning more about the outstanding work of some of our newest professors.”
All four inaugural lectures are open to the public and free to attend but booking in advance, through Eventbrite, is recommended.