果冻影院

This year鈥檚 three Christmas Lectures will investigate how food has fundamentally shaped human evolution, uncover the importance of our microbiome 鈥� as the extra 鈥榦rgan鈥� we didn鈥檛 know we had 鈥� and ask how we can all eat better in the future, for the sake of our own health and the health of the planet.听

Established by Michael Faraday in 1825, the Christmas Lectures from the Royal Institution were broadcast on the BBC in 1936, making them the first science show on UK national television, and have been broadcast every year since 1966. With millions of views each year on BBC Four and iPlayer, and around 60,000 students participating in related Ri activities, they continue to be the world鈥檚 leading science lectures for young people.听

The 2024 Christmas Lectures, which will be broadcast on BBC Four and iPlayer, will bring the science to life through the Lectures鈥� trademark demos, special guest appearances, and a healthy dose of self-experimentation.听

Dr van Tulleken, an Associate Professor at 果冻影院, said: 鈥淚 am honoured beyond words to be asked to be the Ri鈥檚 2024 Christmas Lecturer. The food we eat, how it鈥檚 produced, and the process through which we derive energy from it is not only deeply fascinating scientifically, it鈥檚 also fundamental to human and planetary health.听

鈥淚鈥檓 really looking forward to revealing that fascinating science to our young audience, with the help of special expert guests and the Lectures鈥� trademark demonstrations developed by the Ri team. Along the way we鈥檒l ask some challenging questions that we all need to consider, about the future of food and the health of our planet.鈥澨�

Director of the Royal Institution, Katherine Mathieson, said: 鈥淥ur Christmas Lectures are a fantastic opportunity to bring the latest science to life for a young audience, with expert insight from leading scientists and researchers.听

鈥淎n academic and a practising NHS doctor, Chris has built a real connection with young people through his many popular television programmes, and I am delighted that he will be bringing the science of food, diet and digestion to life in the Ri Theatre this December.鈥澨�

Tom Coveney, BBC Commissioning Head of Science, said: 鈥淭he latest food science is revolutionising our knowledge of what we鈥檙e eating and what it鈥檚 doing to our bodies. From the wonders of the microbiome, to the truth about what鈥檚 really in our shopping baskets, the hidden causes of being 鈥榟angry鈥� and much more: Chris鈥檚 lectures will be fascinating, surprising and very thought-provoking.鈥澨�

The 2024 Christmas Lectures have been awarded Patronage by the UK National Commission for UNESCO, granted to show endorsement of exceptional activities and events. Patronage is UNESCO鈥檚 highest form of support and serves as a hallmark of quality, signifying the Lectures鈥� contribution in advancing UNESCO's mission of promoting education, scientific research, and cultural understanding.听

Dr van Tulleken has a PhD in molecular virology achieved in Professor Greg Towers鈥� lab at 果冻影院 and in 2016 he won the Max Perutz award for his HIV research.鈥疕e is currently an Associate Professor in 果冻影院鈥檚 Division of Infection and Immunity, where鈥痟is research focuses on how corporations affect human health, especially in the context of child nutrition, and he works with UNICEF and the World Health Organisation.鈥�听

Links

• More information about the 2024 Christmas Lectures is available .听
• Dr Chris van Tulleken's academic profile
• 果冻影院 Infection & Immunity
• 果冻影院 Faculty of Medical Sciences

Image

• 颁谤别诲颈迟:听Paul Wilkinson Photography.

Media contact听

Dr Matt Midgley

E: m.midgley [at] ucl.ac.uk