̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge - Newton

Reinterpreting Newton and religion

zs332 — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 09:15:44 +0000

Rediscovered notebook adds new depth to our understanding of Isaac Newton's relationship with theology.

'Outstanding international importance'

sjr81 — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 14:12:24 +0000

Cambridge ̽��ֱ�� Library's world-class Special Collections recognised with Arts Council England Designation

History’s great books meet today’s technology

bjb42 — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:00:58 +0000

̽��ֱ��‘Sidney Greats’ lecture series, conceived by Dr Edward Wilson-Lee and Clive Wilmer, was designed to introduce some of the greatest books and ideas in history to College undergraduates, graduates, Fellows and staff.

Dr Edward Wilson-Lee said, “ ̽��ֱ��series proved very popular, and the 250 spaces available for undergraduate and graduate students were snapped up within hours of being posted.”

̽��ֱ��popularity of the lectures, coupled with the desire to reach an audience further afield, encouraged the lectures’ founders to make the series freely available on iTunes and to continue in years to come.

Dr Wilson-Lee said, “This year was something of a dry run, to see how the format would work and to think about which subjects to treat and how. While we feel it immensely important that students are given access to these classic contexts for their own work and thought, we are also interested in thinking about the evolving notion of ‘great ideas’, as well as the relation of ideas to books in this digital age.”

̽��ֱ��series begins fittingly with Homer’s epic poem ̽��ֱ��Iliad introduced by Prof. Adrian Poole of Trinity College. Subsequent lectures in this first instalment are as follows: Dr Edward Wilson-Lee discusses the Bible and reflects on some of the narrative and rhetorical forms we have inherited from it, Clive Wilmer reflects on Dante’s Divine Comedy, and Dr Patricia Fara introduces the life and thought of Sir Isaac Newton. Dr Tim Lewens of Clare College finishes the series by discussing Darwin’s Origin of Species and how it relates to modern Darwinism.

̽��ֱ��intention of the organizers was to choose speakers who were not necessarily experts on the topic they presented, but who had engaged with the subject in the course of their work and research. ̽��ֱ��result is an hour-long lecture that provides an interesting and accessible overview of the topic, rather than a lengthy in-depth analysis aimed at specialists.

Dr Wilson-Lee added: “Our hope is to continue these lectures in following years, and there is an almost unlimited reservoir of books and ideas that can be examined in the future. And perhaps, in presenting these introductions on iTunes, we can encourage today’s listeners to be tomorrow’s undergraduates.”

A lecture series by Sidney Sussex College about great ideas and works is now available on iTunes.

Our hope is to continue these lectures in following years, and there is an almost unlimited reservoir of books and ideas that can be examined in the future. And perhaps, in presenting these introductions on iTunes, we can encourage today’s listeners to be tomorrow’s undergraduates.

Dr Edward Wilson-Lee

JVCAmerica from Flickr

JVC-HA-F150W

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Yes

Building the Future

bjb42 — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:15:43 +0000

Research of high quality does not always depend on good facilities: I dare say Wittgenstein would have been a genius with or without a fine edifice in which to work, and Newton, Darwin, Crick and Watson would doubtless be astounded by the high-specification laboratories available to today’s researchers in the physical and biological sciences. I would certainly contend, however, that good buildings help research to flourish.

In my nearly seven years as Vice-Chancellor, I have had the great privilege to open (or more often to witness our Chancellor, HRH ̽��ֱ��Duke of Edinburgh, opening) new buildings that have added significantly to the research space across the ̽��ֱ��. Like those featured in this issue of Research Horizons, all are thriving examples of the spirit of endeavour and the excitement of scholarship embodied by research in Cambridge.

These new buildings are paralleled by refurbishments of existing stock: the Herchel Smith Building for Brain and Mind Sciences, and the Departments of Chemistry and Plant Sciences are major examples. Such developments are made possible by large-scale and far-sighted investment by the ̽��ֱ��, assisted by Government infrastructure funding, charitable foundations, and philanthropy both individual and corporate.

̽��ֱ��investments continue, with new land being pressed into service: part of the research area of the Botanic Garden provided the site for the stunning new Sainsbury Laboratory opening its doors early in 2011, and West Cambridge provides space for transformative expansion, as will North-West Cambridge in the coming years.

Expansion is not something we undertake for its own sake, of course, but because areas of knowledge open up which command our attention. Last year, as part of our 800th Anniversary celebrations, and along with 799 others, I wrote a ‘Letter to the Future’, to be opened in 2109. We can have no thorough understanding of the research our future counterparts will be conducting then. But, through decisions we make now, and attention to quality and flexibility, we are helping to ensure that ground-breaking discoveries will continue to be made in Cambridge.

Professor Alison Richard

Vice-Chancellor

Vice-Chancellor Professor Alison Richard on how new buildings and refurbishments across the ̽��ֱ�� are helping research to flourish.

Expansion is not something we undertake for its own sake, of course, but because areas of knowledge open up which command our attention.

Professor Alison Richard

James Bowe from Flickr

St John's

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Yes