Gresham College Courses

Who's Minding the Store? Corporate Rules to Align Interests

Explore corporate governance mechanisms and their complex interplay, from executive compensation to shareholder activism, while understanding how solutions to agency problems can create unexpected challenges.

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

Shakespeare's Mathematical Life and Times - Mathematics in the Elizabethan Era

Discover how mathematical innovations of the Elizabethan era influenced Shakespeare's works, from arithmetic to astronomy, revealing the surprising intersection between numbers and the Bard's creative genius.

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

The Evolution of Messaging and Signals Technology - From Wireless to Wired and Back

Explore the fascinating evolution of communication technology, from basic signals to modern wireless systems, featuring the untold story of a Hollywood actress's pivotal role in developing Wi-Fi and GPS technologies.

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

How Do We Secure Europe?

Explore Europe's security landscape amid Ukraine war, NATO's role, EU enlargement, and UK support. Analyze challenges from Russian aggression, US policy shifts, and rising populism for a new security architecture.

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

Is the Public Lecture Dead? - The Future of Public Speaking in the Digital Age

Explore the evolution and relevance of public lectures in the digital age, examining their purpose, impact, and future viability through the lens of Gresham College's 400-year legacy.

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

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

Send in the Clowns - The Making of Sondheim's Most Successful Song

Explore the fascinating journey of 'Send in the Clowns', examining its unique composition, theatrical context, and evolution into a beloved standard through notable covers by Sinatra, Collins, and Vaughan.

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

The History of Computing: From Ancient Mechanisms to Modern Computers

Explore the fascinating journey of computing from ancient mechanisms to modern programming, uncovering pioneering figures like Ada Lovelace and revolutionary innovations that shaped our digital world.

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

Breaking the Fourth Wall of Sound - The Paradox of Screen Music in Film and Media

Explore how sound and music in films blur the boundary between fictional and audience worlds, examining iconic examples from Blazing Saddles to Birdman while understanding their narrative and emotional impact.

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

The Connected Brain: Network and Communication in Neuroscience

Explore how the brain functions as an interconnected network, from basic neural wiring to complex network theories, examining different species' brain structures and the future of network neuroscience.

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

Is Your Money Safe? Understanding Hidden Conflicts and Agency Problems in Finance

Explore the complex human dynamics of finance, from agency conflicts and fraud to banking evolution and digital currencies, while understanding how trust, rationality, and self-interest shape financial markets.

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

Britain's Water and Sewage Crisis: From Victorian Era to Modern Challenges

Explore Britain's historical and contemporary water management challenges, from Victorian-era solutions to modern privatization debates, examining public versus private ownership and future sustainability options.

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

Writing a British Constitution: Comparing UK and US Constitutional Systems

Explore the complexities of British constitutional law through comparative analysis with the US system, examining key issues like Brexit, Scottish independence, and the balance of governmental powers.

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

Science-Based Targets, Greenwashing and Brownscraping - Net Zero Strategies in the Private Sector

Explore how companies can move beyond box-ticking net zero strategies to meaningful product-level decarbonization, examining science-based targets, greenwashing challenges, and effective climate action approaches.

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

The Hidden Risks of Information Asymmetry in Insurance and Financial Markets

Explore the complex world of insurance markets, from information asymmetry and adverse selection to regulatory challenges, real-world cases, and the evolution of insurance products and surveillance practices.

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