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  • Free talks and lectures in London

  • By Jonathan Derbyshire

    Updated: Tue Apr 21 2009

  • Big-name speakers and leading thinkers are sharing their wisdom for free in lectures and talks across the capital. Time Out hunts out the best places to hear enlightening ideas on everything - from politics to the meaning of life

    Free talks and lectures in London

    Free events at the Science Museum's Dana Centre

  • Talks and lectures
    Arts and humanities
    The Ethical Society
    Conway Hall in Red Lion Square has long been the home of free thinking in London, and their programme of lectures and events cover topics such as ‘Do humanists need the concept of evil?’.
    The Ethical Society, Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, WC1R 4RL (7242 8037/www.ethicalsoc.org.uk). Holborn tube.

    The British Academy
    The British Academy is the national centre for the humanities and social sciences and its evening lectures are all free.
    The British Academy, 10 Carlton House Terrace, SW1Y 5AH, (7969 5200/www.britac.ac.uk/events). Piccadilly Circus tube.

    Royal Academy of Arts
    The Royal Academy hosts regular free lunchtime lectures on art-history topics by major scholars in the field.
    Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD (7300 5839/www.royalacademy.org.uk/events/lunchtimelectures). Piccadilly Circus tube.

    Tate Modern
    Every Saturday and Wednesday at 1pm, Tate Modern offers ‘Ten Minute Collection Talks’ – many aren’t free but, if you’d rather not pay, you can watch them live online.
    Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG (7887 8888/www.tate.org.uk/modern). Southwark tube.

    More: the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery , and the Wallace Collection also offer free talks.
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    Sciences
    London School of Economics
    Many of the world’s leading statesman - including Bill Clinton - have appeared in the LSE's stellar lecture programme.
    London School of Economics, Houghton St, WC2A 2AE (7955 6043/www.lse.ac.uk/collections/LSEPublicLecturesAndEvents). Holborn or Temple tube.

    The Royal Society
    The Royal Society does for science what the British Academy does for the humanities. All events are free, though in some cases pre-registration is necessary.
    The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, SW1Y 5AG (7451 2500/www.royalsoc.ac.uk). Piccadilly Circus tube.

    Dana Centre
    If you’re over 18, the Science Museum’s Dana Centre offer a lively and innovative programme of events to engage with science and the culture around it. Many events are free, though it’s best to book
    Dana Centre, 165 Queen's Gate London, SW7 5HD (7942 4040/www.danacentre.org.uk). South Kensington tube.

    General
    Gresham College
    Gresham College maintains a roster of professors, most of whom are on three-year secondments from other institutions, and hosts guest lectures on subjects ranging from law to psychiatry.
    Gresham College, Barnard’s Inn Hall, EC1N 2HH (7831 0575/www.gresham.ac.uk). Holborn tube.

    UCL Lunch Hour Lectures
    UCL’s Lunch Hour Lectures are bite-sized, 40-minute talks given by eminent members of the faculty. These take place in the Darwin Lecture Theatre on Gower Street, and run throughout the year.
    UCL Lunch Hour Lectures, Darwin Lecture Theatre, Gower St, WC1E 6BT (7679 2000/www.ucl.ac.uk/lhl). Goodge St or Warren St tube.

    More: King’s College also puts on free lectures at lunchtime and after work, and don’t forget Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park.

    For more courses and workshops, see Around Town listings. For sports clubs, see Sport listings .

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2 comments

  1. Posted by Marie Herbert on 08 Jul 2009 07:33

    "The Songs of Irving Berlin"
    Free talk by Marie Herbert at Kew Library, 106 North Road, Kew
    Tuesday, July 21st, 6:30PM - Refreshments
    Reservations 020 8876 8654

    Report this comment as inappropriate
  2. Posted by BIRKBECK OPEN DISCUSSION SOCIETY on 07 Feb 2009 17:26

    BIRKBECK OPEN DISCUSSION SOCIETY welcomes a different guest speaker each week to lead the discussion on various topics... including ...
    How to change the world....for the better!
    Presentation and Discussion led by Michael Norton, OBE,
    Friday 6 March 6:15pm for 6:45 start
    At Birkbeck Main/Library Building Room B18
    (DOWNSTAIRS- Staircase C),
    Author of 365 Ways To Change The World,Ex-merchant banker, has changed the face of charity in the UK.
    He has also set up street-children's banks in South Asia and, with Childline, a network of phone help lines for street children in India.
    www.365act.com
    £20,000 or more funding available for innovative projects www.changemakers.org.uk
    £4 million per year available, to anyone up to the age of 25 yrs old
    BIRKBECK
    Torrington Square, WC1 7HX
    Between Malet St & Russel Squ Next to SOAS
    open.discussion@inorbit.com
    Birkbeck Open Discussion Society
    Free Event, Everyone Welcome!

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