Gresham College Courses

Why Does Britain Have a Housing Crisis? - A Historical Analysis from Victorian Era to Present

Explore the evolution of Britain's housing crisis from Victorian times to present, examining shifts in ownership patterns, social housing decline, and potential solutions drawn from global urban experiences.

• YouTube
• 55 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Who Gets to Be Healthy? Understanding Social Determinants and Health Inequalities

Explore how social justice and societal conditions shape health inequalities, examining evidence-based strategies beyond healthcare to create fairer health outcomes across different social gradients.

• YouTube
• 52 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Banned Books and Freedom of Expression

Explore the history of literary censorship, arguments for free expression, and why writers push boundaries in this lecture by Rachel Potter examining banned books in the UK and the impact of technology on free speech.

• YouTube
• 46 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The LGBT+ Showstopper: 'I Am What I Am'

Explore the journey of 'I Am What I Am' from Broadway musical La Cage aux Folles to iconic LGBT+ anthem, examining its musical composition, cultural significance during the AIDS crisis, and evolution into a powerful statement of identity.

• YouTube
• 45 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

How Does Surveillance Work?

Explore the evolution of surveillance systems from ancient Rome to digital monitoring, examining historical contexts, legal frameworks, privacy concerns, and the balance between security and civil liberties.

• YouTube
• 51 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The Turbulent Brain: Rhythms and Waves

Explore the complex wave dynamics of the brain, from neuronal communications and oscillations to chemical and mechanical waves, and understand how these phenomena influence cognitive processes and brain function.

• YouTube
• 56 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Modern Druids: History and Cultural Interpretations

Explore the diverse interpretations of Druids throughout history, from nationalist symbols to countercultural icons, examining how these ancient figures have inspired modern imagination and contributed to contemporary Paganism.

• YouTube
• 55 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Why Are Cities Going Bankrupt?

Explore the decline of British local government finances from Victorian civic pride to modern bankruptcy, examining historical taxation systems, policy failures, and potential solutions for urban regeneration.

• YouTube
• 1 hour
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The Case for Basic Income

Explore the ethical and economic arguments for basic income with Guy Standing, examining how financial security improves quality of life, decision-making, and employment incentives, supported by global pilot findings.

• YouTube
• 35 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

What Rights and Duties are Missing from the U.S. Constitution?

Explore the debate over constitutional evolution with human rights lawyer Clive Stafford Smith, examining potential new rights, cultural differences in rights interpretation, and global justice issues from Gaza to Guantanamo.

• YouTube
• 46 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Documentary Photography in Apartheid South Africa

Explore the tensions between advocacy, propaganda, and everyday poetics in South African documentary photography during apartheid, examining influential photographers from Ernest Cole to Zanele Muholi.

• YouTube
• 59 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Writing Laws: From Hammurabi to Solon - The Evolution of Ancient Legal Systems

Explore the evolution of written laws from Hammurabi to Solon, examining how ancient societies developed legal systems and the profound impact of codifying laws on power structures and democracy.

• YouTube
• 42 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The Return of the Horned God

Explore the evolution of Pan from classical deity to modern archetype, examining how this horned god became a symbol of nature, rebellion, and personal liberation in British culture since the 19th century.

• YouTube
• 46 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Data: A Love Story for the Ages

Explore the enduring relationship between humanity and data through centuries of use in maps, censuses, and technology, examining how data shapes knowledge, power dynamics, ethics, and our collective memory.

• YouTube
• 50 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The UK's Generational Wealth Gap

Explore how the UK's wealth inequality has evolved, focusing on generational divides driven by housing prices and stagnant incomes, with analysis of potential solutions to bridge the growing economic gap between age groups.

• YouTube
• 51 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video