The University of Portsmouth is inviting members of the public to hear about cutting-edge research and timely topics from a range of experts.
People will learn how DNA fights plastic pollution, dive into supernatural storytelling at sea, and uncover the financial empire behind modern football in eight fascinating presentations.
The free public lecture series kicks off on Wednesday 17 September 2025 with "What has DNA ever done for us?" , featuring Professor Sam Robson , Bioinformatics Lead at the Centre for Enzyme Innovation (CEI) at the University . Joined by colleagues, he'll examine the revolutionary impact of DNA research on our daily lives.
The series demonstrates the University's commitment to public engagement and knowledge sharing. Portsmouth is one of the first universities to develop a Civic Partnership Agreement with partners in the local community and region to promote inclusion and enrich economic, social and cultural life. Its goal is for education and research knowledge and skills to benefit the city and surrounding areas.
"These lectures represent the breadth and excellence of research at the University of Portsmouth," said University Provost Professor Sherria Hoskins , who will be introducing the opening lecture.
"We're excited to share our academic expertise with the wider community and provide accessible insights into topics that shape our world today. The DNA lecture is a perfect example of how cutting-edge science can be made engaging and relevant to everyone."
All lectures are free to attend and take place on the University's campus. Venues for lectures following the September event will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Additional spring events are currently being scheduled and will be announced soon.
All events can be booked through Eventbrite .
Full schedule of talks:
What has DNA ever done for us?
17 September 2025
In this talk, Professor Sam Robson and colleagues will describe some of the unique ways in which DNA research is enriching our understanding of the world, including understanding the risk of developing disease, exploring our heritage and history, exploring the role of bacteria in our health, and solving issues of plastic pollution.
The power of Japanese architecture: Soft, flexible and ambiguous
29 October 2025
Associate Professor Milena Metalkova-Markova , a Bulgarian architect who specialises in history of architecture and heritage preservation in Japan, will present an introduction to Japanese residential architecture, connecting it with some Japanese aesthetic concepts and examples of traditional and contemporary Japanese houses.
The Autumn Budget: What it means for the UK economy
11 November 2025
Professor Joe Cox will be joined by Stephen Millard from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) . Professor Millard will present NIESR's latest view on the economic outlook for the UK. He will share an expert analysis of the impact of the October budget and the policy priorities outlined by the Labour government. As part of his presentation, Professor Millard will also provide his view on the economic prospects for the South-East.
The Manosphere and online misogyny
2 December 2025
This panel discussion brings together experts from criminology, cybercrime, gender studies, digital media, sociology, and online harms to examine the growing influence of the "manosphere", a collection of online communities that often promote misogynistic ideologies and rigid expectations of masculinity. Speakers include Professor Lisa Sugiura , Dr Stuart Lucy and Anda Solea .
Football finance: Football's relationship with money
15 January 2026
Associate Professor Dr Christina Philippou will explore the business side of football through the complex relationship between the game and finance. Focusing on the top five tiers of professional men's football in England and the top two tiers of the women's game, we'll examine where football's money comes from - broadcasting, matchday, and commercial income - and where it goes, from player wages to stadium development.
Tidal terrors: Folklore and supernatural storytelling at sea
3 February 2026
Based on his new book, The Perilous Deep - A Supernatural History of the Atlantic, Associate Professor Dr Karl Bell 's talk explores the supernatural stories and magical beliefs that have been inspired by seafaring in the Atlantic Ocean. Journey on an adventure into the maritime imagination and discover the power of storytelling on the high seas.
Chernobyl: Science, Society... and Vodka!
23 April 2026
Based on his extensive experience of working on the aftermath of the Chernobyl accident, Professor Jim Smith will discuss risks of radioactivity and how the media influence risk perception. Myths surrounding health consequences of radiation have contributed to ongoing problems in recovery of affected populations. Professor Smith will talk about the work he is doing in Ukraine to address these issues and his ATOMIK Spirits project, creating high quality (and safe!) spirits from crops harvested near Chernobyl.
The Milky Way and the ancient Egyptian goddess of the sky
20 May 2026
In this talk, Professor Dr Or Graur from the University's Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation will focus on the popular suggestion that the Milky Way was a manifestation of Nut, the Egyptian goddess of the sky. Combining astronomical simulations of the Egyptian night sky, readings of ancient Egyptian religious texts, ancient Egyptian material culture like coffins and murals, and studies of Milky Way creation stories from around the world, the lecture will examine how Nut's image evolved over time and what that tells us about Ancient Egyptian understandings.
