Lecture 1: For the learned and the curious: the role of natural history museums in the 21st century
Professor Ian Owens, Director of Science, Natural History Museum, London, and Professor, Imperial College, London
Many of the world's great natural history museums have their roots in the cultural and scientific revolutions of the 18th and 19th centuries, a time of intense interest in collecting, displaying and debating the extraordinary objects that were being brought from around the world. I will ask whether there is still a scientific and public role of these institutions today and in the future, when digital technology allows instant global access to what were once rare objects and when taxonomy, mineralogy and systematics are commonly identified as being disciplines in crisis. Can natural history museums still do relevant science? Can they still inspire the learned and the curious? Can they change enough to rediscover their original purpose?
Lecture 2: From peacocks to people: the importance of mate choice
Professor Marion Petrie, Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University
Work on peacocks suggests that females gain 'good genes' for their offspring as a result of mate choice. This talk considers whether similar processes could occur in humans, what we mean by good genes, how we might assess genetic quality and lastly whether the use of oral contraceptives can disrupt adaptive mate choice.