Public Lecture Series 2005/2006 continues – University of Reading
15 December 2005
The University of Reading's ever popular Public Lecture Series continues this January, offering a unique opportunity to learn something of the research, teaching and people that make the University a world-class institute. As always the lectures are free and open to everyone. They are given by researchers eminent in their field, and in a manner that is easily understood by all. One of the reasons for the success of past lecture series has been the wide and interesting range of topics discussed – and the last three lectures in this series will not disappoint. Dr David Oliver starts the new year with 'Falls, faints, fragility and fractures'. Falls are the biggest reason for hospital admission in older people. They may lead to injury, anxiety, loss of physical function and placement in long term care. David will focus on the difficulty of translating the research evidence in this area into practice. For centuries the printing trade has produced documents, which are described collectively as ephemera. In the next lecture, The Lasting Significance of Printed Ephemera, Professor Michael Twyman illustrates their importance for the historical record, and aims to show how a concentration on the history of the book has led to a very narrow interpretation of the work of the printing trade and its impact on society. This fascinating series closes with Getting to the Guts of Microbes in Health and Disease. Professor Glenn Gibson will discuss the trillions and trillions of bacteria that inhabit the human gut. He will describe what they are, where they come from, how many there are inside the body and explain how they handle your daily diet. Glenn also explores the critical role of gut bacteria in promoting better health and presents new research being done at the University. "The University of Reading is the leading provider of higher education in the Thames Valley and we are delighted that our public lectures continue to provoke such enormous interest," said Alison Fabian, the series organiser. "Our speakers this year are again of the highest calibre, so audiences are sure to be intrigued and entertained. "The first three lectures have been incredibly popular with all sorts of different people. Attendances are always high so some lively debate is guaranteed afterwards." The schedule for the final three University of Reading Public Lectures in the series is: 17/01/2006 - Falls, faints, fragility and fractures Dr David Oliver, Institute of Health Studies 14/02/2006 - The Lasting Significance of Printed Ephemera Professor Michael Twyman, Department of Typography & Graphic Communication 28/02/2006 - Getting to the Guts of Microbes in Health and Disease Professor Glenn Gibson, School of Food Biosciences All of the University Public Lectures start at 8pm and will be held in the Palmer Building on the University's Whiteknights campus. Lectures are free to attend and no ticket is required. For further information, please visit the following website: http://www.rdg.ac.uk/publiclectureseries or contact Alison Fabian in the University's Communications Office on (tel) 0118 378 7110 or (email) a.m.fabian@rdg.ac.uk End For media enquiries only, please contact Eleanor Holmes, University of Reading press officer on: (Tel) 0118 378 6166 (Email) e.m.holmes@rdg.ac.uk