Royal Institution CHRISTMAS LECTURES 2024 Livestreams

Filming of the 2024 CHRISTMAS LECTURES will be livestreamed from the Royal Institution’s iconic theatre on 10th, 12th and 14th December
Dr Chris van Tulleken
Image: c. Paul Wilkinson Photography
 

  • University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA

  • University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA

  • University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA

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The University of Plymouth is proud to host the screening of the live CHRISTMAS LECTURES as they are filmed at the Royal Institution on 10th, 12th and 14th December 2024. It is these live events which are then edited to form the television programmes broadcast on BBC4 between Christmas and New Year.
Running for almost 200 years, the CHRISTMAS LECTURES were started by Michael Faraday to inspire and engage young people with science, and this year, practising NHS doctor and leading science presenter Dr Chris van Tulleken will delve deep inside our bodies to explore how the food we eat has a fundamental impact on our own health and that of our planet.
The lectures will include fact-fuelled demos, special guest appearances, festive food hacks and a healthy dose of self-experimentation. From taste buds to toilet, we’ll find out what happens in the body when we eat. How we eat with our eyes (green eggs and ham anyone?) and how smell and even sound can affect the taste of our food.
Chris will take us on a journey to the centre of his gut as he swallows a camera-pill to unpack the digestion process at every saliva-soaked step. He’ll reveal how we transform food into fuel – and into the building blocks of life – and how our digestive systems match up to those of our animal relatives.
We will find out how many stomachs a cow really has, and why platypuses have no stomach at all. Chris will venture into the amazing world of the human gut microbiome and ask who’s really in charge: us or our microbe passengers?
Chris will reveal how he believes we can repair this broken relationship with food – investigating what we should be eating and joining forces with expert chefs and scientists of all kinds to cook up some weird and wonderful sustainable future foods in the RI Theatre.
Featuring animal, as well as human guests, this year’s lectures will provide plenty of surprises, shocks and some truly gross moments. And there’ll be startling facts to chew over about how our modern food is made and what it’s doing to our bodies.

Please email Dr Jenny Sharp (jenny.sharp@plymouth.ac.uk) if you have any questions about the livestreaming event.

#XmasLectures @Ri_Science @DoctorChrisVT
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How to apply for places at the livestreaming events at the University of Plymouth

Please note that places for this event are now full. However, a reserve list is in place in case of cancellations so please continue to apply if you're interested in attending. Page updated 5 November 2024.
The filming of the CHRISTMAS LECTURES is spread over three evenings: Tuesday 10th, Thursday 12th and Saturday 14th December.
You can apply for places at one of the events. There is no charge for the event.
  • Timing: The event at the University of Plymouth will start at 17:30 (the filming at the RI starts at 18:00) and the finish will be between 19:30 and 20:00 (it depends on how long any breaks in filming will be).
  • Location: University of Plymouth main campus (PL4 8AA) – the exact location will be given nearer the time.
You'll be taking part in experiments and activities alongside those at the Royal Institution.
Each evening will be a standalone event, with only a few references to the previous ones so in order to give as many young people the chance to attend, we ask that you attend just one of the three evenings.
All children (under 18) will need to be accompanied by an adult and all adults will need to be accompanied by a child/children!
To apply for places please complete the application form here.
 
The Truth About Food
 

Event photography and video

Please be aware that some of the University of Plymouth's public events (both online and offline) may be attended by University staff, photographers and videographers, for capturing content to be used in University online and offline marketing and promotional materials, for example webpages, brochures or leaflets. If you, or a member of your group, do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please let a member of staff know.