Is the Public Lecture Dead? - Martin Elliott

Watch the Q&A session here:  https://youtu.be/wiAFxEnq8t4

Gresham College has been delivering public lectures since 1597 through times of great social, political and technological change. Its commitment to deliver lectures for free to the general public has led to intermittent financial challenges to its generous sponsors. The arrival of the internet, mobile devices and social media have offered both opportunity and further challenge.

In an era supposedly characterised by shorter attention spans, and greater competition for that attention, what space is left for the public lecture and what is its purpose? Why do people still want to deliver them? What makes a great lecture? What is the relative importance of an in-person v an online audience? Is audience size an indication of the value of lecture content? Can the public lecture survive? This lecture will address these and other questions from a personal, but hopefully informed, perspective.

This lecture was recorded by Martin Elliott  on 16th October 2024 at Barnard's Inn Hall, London

Martin Elliott MD FRCS is Provost of Gresham College. 

He is also Professor Emeritus of Cardiothoracic Surgery at UCL & Professor Emeritus of Physic at Gresham College. He is an Honorary Bencher at the Inner Temple, London.

The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/provost-24

Gresham College has offered free public lectures for over 400 years, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. There are currently over 2,500 lectures free to access. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest minds. To support Gresham's mission, please consider making a donation: https://gresham.ac.uk/support/

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