University livestreams Royal Institution Christmas Lectures

Plymouth hosted a live link to the Lectures for Devon and Cornwall youngsters

Dave Shuttleworth

Head of Media and Communications

Communication Services (Marketing and Communications)

14 December 2023

World-famous Christmas Lectures were livestreamed to the University of Plymouth, direct from the Royal Institution theatre in London, last week.

The University welcomed over 250 children and parents from all over the South West – from Penzance to Barnstaple and Exeter – for the three free events, which will be watched by millions on the BBC over the festive season.

This year’s theme is 'the truth about artificial intelligence', featuring Professor Mike Wooldridge tackling the big questions and unravelling the myths of AI research. Each evening he explored a different aspect of AI and the audience at Plymouth was able to join in some of the activities that were happening at the Royal Institution.

Feedback from children

Learning about AI – and, in particular, language galaxies – from a leading professor recording for the Christmas Lectures was really inspiring. A great opportunity, thanks.

The lecture was brilliant, I learnt so much, I want to go again next year.

Feedback from parents

Absolutely loved the experience and now want to turn it into my family Christmas tradition!

It was brilliant to have this opportunity available here in the South West and great to come to the University to watch it.

Having run the Royal Institution’s Mathematics Masterclass programme at the University for 25 years, to now be one of the livestream partners for the Royal Institution’s Christmas Lectures is an amazing opportunity for young people in Devon and Cornwall. Engagement in STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – subjects is so important, so to be part of these lectures has been an inspiration to everyone involved.

Jenny Sharp
Lecturer in Mathematics Education

Plymouth was among the small team of livestream partners nationwide, enabling science lovers, and anyone who’s just curious about the world around them to experience first-hand the magic of the world’s longest-running science lecture series.

We're extremely grateful to each of our partner venues. They have brought their own unique flavour to the live filming of the lectures, enabling local audiences to see what goes on behind the scenes when inspiring scientists are brought together with the public. We're delighted to be working with some of the UK's best science research and engagement organisations to bring the lectures within reach for even more people this year.

Katherine Mathieson
Director of the Royal Institution

Other livestream venues for the recording on 12, 14 and 16 December included the National Museums Liverpool, Cambridge Museum of Technology, the University of Glasgow and the University of Warwick.

The Christmas Lectures were the brainchild of Michael Faraday in 1825 and have been delivered every year since, with the exception of four years during World War II when it was too dangerous to have a theatre full of children in central London.

In 1936, they became the first science programme ever broadcast on UK television, and they have been televised every year since 1966.

This year’s lectures are being broadcast on BBC Four on 26, 27 and 28 December at 8pm; they will also be available on BBC iPlayer.

Mathematics at the University of Plymouth

As a student of mathematical sciences, you will explore profound and beautiful ideas and understand how they can be applied to the key challenges facing us as we progress further into the 21st century.

At the same time, you will develop both your logical and creative thinking. This combination of skills is one of the reasons why mathematicians are so valued in today's economy.

Learn in a research-rich environment, supported by active researchers in pure mathematics, applied mathematics, statistics and theoretical physics, with strong national and international links.