The Royal Institution Courses

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
• On-Demand
• 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
• On-Demand
• 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
• On-Demand
• 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
• On-Demand
• 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
• On-Demand
• 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
• On-Demand
• 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
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Information, Evolution, and Intelligent Design - With Daniel Dennett

Daniel Dennett explores steps towards a unified theory of information, connecting evolution, learning, and engineering. He discusses major transitions in evolution, technology transfer, and the concept of intelligent design.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 2 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

The Anthropocene - With Jan Zalasiewicz and Christian Schwägerl

Explore the concept of the Anthropocene, its impact on Earth, and potential future scenarios with experts Jan Zalasiewicz and Christian Schwägerl in this thought-provoking discussion.

• YouTube
• 50 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Social Behaviour in Dinosaurs - With David Hone

Explore how paleontologists uncover dinosaur social behavior through fossil evidence, focusing on new discoveries from Mongolia's Gobi Desert and their implications for understanding prehistoric life.

• YouTube
• 33 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Blaze of Steel - Explosive Chemistry with Andrew Szydlo

Explosive chemistry demonstration exploring iron and steel properties through spectacular reactions, color changes, and pyrotechnics. Challenges perceptions of metal permanence with engaging experiments.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 57 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Powering Ahead with Solar Energy - Professor Lesley Yellowlees

Explore sustainable energy solutions with Professor Yellowlees as she delves into solar energy research, focusing on dye-sensitized solar cells and their characterization through advanced spectroelectrochemical techniques.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 2 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Atoms in Action with Professor Pratibha Gai

Explore atomic-level chemical reactions with Prof. Gai's groundbreaking microscope. Discover applications in medicine, energy, and more as she reveals the fascinating world of atoms in motion during crucial processes.

• YouTube
• 55 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

The Magic of Chemistry - With Andrew Szydlo

Explore the enchanting world of chemistry through captivating demonstrations, from color-changing substances to unique properties of gases and liquids, in this engaging and interactive presentation.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 22 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Roger Penrose - Forbidden Crystal Symmetry in Mathematics and Architecture

Explore forbidden symmetries in mathematics and architecture with Sir Roger Penrose, delving into non-repeating patterns, quasi-crystals, and innovative designs used in buildings worldwide.

• YouTube
• 58 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video