The Royal Institution Courses

Size Matters - How Physical Laws Govern Animal Abilities - Lecture 1

Explore how size governs animal strength, lifespan, and survival - from why hamsters survive skyscraper falls better than humans to why ants lift 300x their weight.

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

Why Mountains Are So Small - 2010 Christmas Lectures 3/3

Discover why Earth's gravity, mantle and atmosphere limit mountain heights and how erosion sometimes outpaces geological formation in this fascinating exploration of planetary scale.

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

What Do Gravitational Waves Sound Like? - With Tessa Baker

Explore gravitational waves, their detection, and cosmic implications with cosmologist Tessa Baker. Learn about Einstein's theories, black holes, and cutting-edge astronomical research in this comprehensive lecture.

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

The Joy of Abstract Mathematical Thinking - With Eugenia Cheung

Explore abstract mathematical thinking through category theory, discovering its applications in everyday life, inequalities, and current events. Gain insights into abstraction, context, and relationships in mathematics.

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

How Code Has Changed the World - With Torie Bosch

Explore how coding decisions shape society, from pop-up ads to law enforcement algorithms. Uncover the human stories behind programming and its profound impact on our daily lives.

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

How to Photograph a Black Hole - With Ziri Younsi

Explore the groundbreaking journey of photographing black holes with physicist Ziri Younsi, delving into their nature, imaging techniques, and implications for our understanding of the universe.

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

Computer Modelling for Molecular Science – With Sir Richard Catlow

Explore how high-performance computer simulations revolutionize scientific understanding, from molecular behavior to planetary-scale hypotheses, with applications in crystallography, materials science, and battery technology.

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

Searching for New Physics With Low-Energy Techniques - With Danielle Speller

Explore cutting-edge experiments using low-energy techniques to search for new physics phenomena, combining nuclear, particle, and astrophysics to uncover mysteries of matter and mass.

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

How Does Genetics Help Conserve Rare Plants? - With Mike Fay

Explore how genetics aids in conserving rare plants, focusing on the lady's slipper orchid's revival in England. Learn about DNA analysis, propagation techniques, and collaborative efforts in plant conservation.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 9 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Nanomaterials for the Future - With Nguyen TK Thanh

Explore innovative research on plasmonic and magnetic nanomaterials, their synthesis, and applications in healthcare. Discover cutting-edge developments in nanoparticle technology for medical treatments and diagnostics.

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

What Is Dark Matter? - With Peter Fisher

Explore dark matter's nature and its gravitational effects on galaxies with particle physicist Peter Fisher. Learn about ongoing research and its potential impact on science.

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

The Hidden World of Animal Consciousness - With David Peña-Guzmán

Explore animal consciousness through dreams, examining scientific research and philosophical theories. Discover implications for animal cognition, ethics, and rights in this thought-provoking presentation.

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

Materialising Artificial Intelligence - With Wilfred G. van der Wiel

Explore brain-inspired nanosystems and their potential for efficient information processing, discussing technological implications and the future of artificial intelligence in material form.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 10 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The Joy of Science - With Jim Al-Khalili

Explore the power of scientific thinking with Jim Al-Khalili. Learn how to navigate uncertainty, guard against bias, and embrace evidence-based reasoning for clarity and empowerment in decision-making.

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

The Search for Objective Reality - With Jim Peebles

Explore the nature of science and objective reality through cosmology with Nobel laureate P.J.E. Peebles. Delve into key concepts like dark matter, the expanding universe, and acoustic oscillations in this thought-provoking lecture.

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