Wilkins-Bernal-Medawar Lecture Explained

Wilkins-Bernal-Medawar Lecture
Awarded For:Prize lecture given on a subject relating to the history, philosophy or social function of science.
Sponsor:Royal Society

The Wilkins-Bernal-Medawar Lecture is a public lecture organised annually by the Royal Society of London.

It was formed in 2005 by the merger of the Wilkins Lecture, the Bernal Lecture and the Medawar Lecture. The subject matter for the lecture is some aspect of the social function of science as per the Bernal Lecture, the philosophy of science as per the Medawar Lecture or the history of science as per the Wilkins Lecture.

List of lecturers

YearNameLecturelaudationNotes
2007 The uses of infinity: a philosopher looks at emergent phenomena in physics[1] - [2]
2008 Hard questions : Contemporary art and the obsession with science[3] -
2009 The social function of history: policy, history and twentieth-century science[4] -
2010 Notes from an Amateur: On the History of the Royal Society[5] -
2012 Heroes of science[6] -
2015Who cares about the History of Science?-
2016The curious history of curiosity-driven research[7] -
2017Why philosophy of science matters to science[8] -
2018Life begins at 40: the biological and cultural roots of the midlife crisis[9] -
2019Defining science through history.[10] -
2020What is (Quantum) Life?[11] for his exceptional work in explaining complex ideas in modern physics in an approachable way, his contributions to televised histories of electricity and quantum physics, and his work ranging from very recent history of science to the history of Arabic science
2021The History of Women and Maths[12] for her research in 19th and 20th century mathematics, notably on historical roots of modern computing, dynamical systems and the three-body problem. Her work places special emphasis on the under-representation of women in historical narratives and in contemporary mathematics. Her recent work includes decolonising of the mathematical curriculum
2022Remaking Ourselves[13] for his outstanding commitments to sharing the social, cultural, and historical context of science through award-winning science communication in books, articles, and as a speaker and commentator
2023Talking embryos: changing public perceptions of embryo research[14] for her research into, and advocacy for, the social aspects of new reproductive technologies

Notes and References

  1. , 2012-09-26
  2. Web site: Wilkins-Bernal-Medawar Medal and Lecture.
  3. Web site: Lectures from the archive: Contemporary art and the obsession with science . YouTube . 6 March 2024 . 12 May 2024.
  4. Web site: Lectures from the archive: The social function of history and twentieth-century science . YouTube . 6 March 2024 . 12 May 2024.
  5. Bragg. M.. Wilkins Medawar Bernal Lecture 2010 * Observations of an Amateur on the History of the Royal Society 1660-2010. Notes and Records of the Royal Society. 64. 3. 2010. 201–212. 0035-9149. 10.1098/rsnr.2010.0018.
  6. , 2012-09-26
  7. Web site: The curious history of curiosity-driven research . YouTube . 6 March 2024 . 12 May 2024.
  8. Web site: Why philosophy of science matters to science . YouTube . 6 March 2024 . 12 May 2024.
  9. Web site: Life begins at 40: the biological and cultural roots of the midlife crisis . YouTube . 6 March 2024 . 12 May 2024.
  10. Web site: Defining science through history . YouTube . 6 March 2024 . 12 May 2024.
  11. Web site: Jim Al-Khalili and Adam Rutherford: what is quantum biology? . YouTube . 6 March 2024 . 12 May 2024.
  12. Web site: The history of women and maths . YouTube . 6 March 2024 . 12 May 2024.
  13. Web site: Remaking Ourselves: Wilkins-Bernal-Medawar Medal lecture at The Royal Society, May 2023 . YouTube . 6 March 2024 . 12 May 2024.
  14. Web site: Talking embryos: changing public perceptions of embryo research . YouTube . 6 March 2024 . 12 May 2024.