The Royal Institution Courses

The Hidden Geometry of Everything - With Jordan Ellenberg

Explore how geometry underlies diverse fields, from computer chess to democratic representation, revealing hidden mathematical patterns that shape our world and solve complex problems.

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

Rutherford, Radioactivity and the Future of Physics - With the Cosmic Shambles Network

Explore Rutherford's impact on nuclear physics and the future of the field with experts. Delve into his groundbreaking discoveries, scientific legacy, and ongoing research in particle physics and cosmology.

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

What Can Intelligent Materials Do? - With Skylar Tibbits

Explore the future of intelligent materials that sense, adapt, and self-assemble. From self-building furniture to growing islands, discover how programmable materials can revolutionize design and sustainability.

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

How Easy Is It to Grow a Supermassive Black Hole? - With Dr Becky

Explore the fascinating growth of supermassive black holes with Dr Becky Smethurst. Discover the challenges, mechanisms, and limits of their expansion in this engaging astrophysics lecture.

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

How Do Neural Networks Grow Smarter? - With Robin Hiesinger

Exploring neural networks' growth into brains, this talk delves into the interplay between neurobiology and AI, questioning if biological brains are just messy hardware and if nature or artificial intelligence holds the key to smarter systems.

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

Is It Our Moral Duty to Explore Other Planets? - With Christopher Mason

Exploring the ethical imperative of space exploration and human adaptation for extraterrestrial habitation, discussing genetic engineering and long-term plans for interplanetary colonization.

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

How Irrationality Created Modern Science - With Michael Strevens

Explore how breaking logical rules led to scientific breakthroughs, examining the paradoxical role of irrationality in modern scientific progress and methodology.

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

Overloaded - How Your Brain Chemicals Influence Your Life - With Ginny Smith

Explore the fascinating world of neurotransmitters and their impact on our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Discover cutting-edge research on brain chemistry and its influence on everyday life.

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

How Do Crime Labs Translate Forensic Evidence into Proof? - With Beth Bechky

Exploring forensic science's role in criminal investigations and courtrooms, detailing the challenges scientists face in delivering unbiased evidence under pressure.

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

Effective Data Visualisation - With Valentina D'Efilippo

Explore innovative data visualization techniques beyond standard charts with designer Valentina D'Efilippo. Learn to create impactful visual stories through creative approaches, empathy, and unique perspectives on data representation.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 2 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Viruses, Pandemics and Immunity - With Arup K Chakraborty and Andrey S Shaw

Experts explore virus emergence, immune system responses, and pandemic-fighting tools, providing insights into public health policies and future preparedness against global health threats.

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

Our Quest to Understand the Cosmos - Brian Greene in Conversation with Jo Marchant

Explore the cosmos from its beginning to its end with physicist Brian Greene, discussing life, consciousness, free will, and the scientific method in this thought-provoking conversation.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 6 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Why Mental Health Goes Wrong and How to Make Sense of It - With Dean Burnett

Explore the complexities of mental health in modern society, examining causes, treatments, and evolving understanding. Gain insights into anxiety, depression, and addiction from a neuroscientist's perspective.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 14 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

How Can Machines Learn Human Values? - With Brian Christian

Exploring challenges in AI ethics, including data bias, fairness, and value alignment. Discusses innovative solutions for building more robust and ethically-aligned machine learning systems.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 2 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

How Can Climate Models Help Us Respond to Climate Change? - With Vicky Pope

Explore climate models' role in understanding and responding to climate change, including their development, applications, and implications for policy and technology.

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