The Royal Institution Courses

The Microbes Within Us - With Ed Yong

Explore the fascinating world of microbes within us, their impact on health, evolution, and life itself. Discover how these tiny organisms shape our bodies and influence our behavior.

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

What Is the Future of Particle Accelerators?

Experts discuss future particle accelerator projects, exploring challenges, potential breakthroughs, and long-term visions for advancing our understanding of the Universe and fundamental physics.

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

The Science of the Voices in Your Head - With Charles Fernyhough

Explore the fascinating world of inner voices with psychologist Charles Fernyhough, delving into their role in thinking, child development, and experiences of voice-hearing.

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

How to Know a Neutrino - With Art McDonald

Nobel laureate Art McDonald explores neutrino detection, the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory's groundbreaking discoveries, and future research into dark matter and rare radioactive processes at SNOLAB.

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

Particle Accelerators Reimagined - With Suzie Sheehy

Explore particle accelerators beyond physics: their workings, high-power proton beam control, and future potential. Discover innovative applications and cutting-edge research in accelerator technology.

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

Catching Gravitational Waves - With Sheila Rowan

Explore gravitational waves, their sources, detection methods, and future implications in astronomy. Gain insights into LIGO's groundbreaking discoveries and the new era of gravitational wave astronomy.

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

A New Phase for Structural Biology - With Carol Robinson

Explore Carol Robinson's groundbreaking research in structural biology, focusing on protein interactions in the vapor phase and its impact on understanding human health and drug development.

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

Fusion - How to Put the Sun in a Magnetic Bottle - With Ian Chapman

Explore fusion energy's potential, challenges, and the ITER project with physicist Ian Chapman. Learn about plasma confinement, robotic engineering, and international collaboration in this cutting-edge scientific endeavor.

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

How Neurononsense Keeps Women in Their Place - with Gina Rippon

Investigates misuse of neuroscience to justify gender roles, debunking 'hardwired' brain differences and exploring how neurosexism perpetuates gender gaps. Highlights brain plasticity and societal influences on gender development.

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

The Evolution of Males and Females - With Judith Mank

Explore genetic programming of sex, evolution of sex differences, and evolutionary forces shaping male-female distinctions in various species with Professor Judith Mank.

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

The Search for the Theory of Everything - With John Gribbin

Explore the quest for a unified theory of physics with astrophysicist John Gribbin, delving into quantum theory, general relativity, and their potential convergence to explain the universe's mysteries.

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

Why Is Life the Way It Is? With Nick Lane

Unravel the tangled history of life with Nick Lane as he explores Earth's biodiversity, the origin of complex cells, and the role of mitochondria in shaping evolution.

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

The Race to Crack the Genetic Code with Matthew Cobb

Unraveling the discovery of DNA's genetic code, its evolutionary implications, and life's development. Explore the scientific journey, key players, and groundbreaking insights that shaped our understanding of genetics.

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

The Extreme World of Ultra Intense Lasers - With Kate Lancaster

Explore the cutting-edge world of ultra-intense lasers and their revolutionary applications in science, from miniaturizing particle accelerators to creating fusion energy, with demonstrations and expert insights.

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

How to Clone a Mammoth - The Science of De-Extinction - With Beth Shapiro

Explore the science of de-extinction, its feasibility, and ethical implications. Learn about ancient DNA, genetic diversity, and the potential revival of extinct species like mammoths.

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