The Royal Institution Courses

How Your Brain Maps the World - With John O'Keefe

Nobel laureate John O'Keefe explores the neuroscience behind spatial orientation, discussing how the brain creates internal maps and GPS-like systems for navigation and understanding our environment.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 6 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Sea Level Rise Can No Longer Be Stopped, What Next? - With John Englander

Oceanographer John Englander explores the inevitable rise in sea levels, its profound impacts, and the urgent need for intelligent adaptation strategies in coastal communities worldwide.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 18 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

The Story of Deciphering the Ribosome - With Venki Ramakrishnan

Nobel Laureate Venki Ramakrishnan recounts his journey in deciphering the ribosome's structure, from early experiments to Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, highlighting the competitive nature of scientific research.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 7 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

We Are All Mutants - With Alison Woollard

Explore genetic diversity, mutations, and their role in evolution. Discover how DNA changes shape life, from fruit flies to humans, and learn about modern genetic technologies and their implications.

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

How Does Science Work and Why Does it Matter? - With Jeremy Baumberg

Explore the inner workings of science, funding decisions, public communication, and the scientific ecosystem with Jeremy Baumberg, a leader in nanoscience and nanotechnology.

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

Should Computers Run the World? - With Hannah Fry

Explore the impact of algorithms on decision-making in various fields, examining their benefits, limitations, and ethical implications compared to human judgment.

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

One Alternative to Centralised Electronic Identities - With Bart Jacobs

Explore decentralized electronic identities as an alternative to tech giants' profiling, focusing on selective attribute disclosure and privacy-preserving digital interactions.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 9 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

How Materials Science Can Help Create a Greener Future - with Saiful Islam

Explore how materials science advances can drive green technology innovation, from better batteries to efficient solar power, through atomic-scale modeling and structural chemistry insights.

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

Solving a 500 Year Old Cold Case - With Turi King

Geneticist Turi King unravels the mystery of Richard III's remains, detailing the excavation, identification process, and DNA analysis that led to the confirmation of the 500-year-old royal skeleton.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 1 minute
• On-Demand
• Free Video

What Happens When Maths Goes Wrong? - With Matt Parker

Explore real-world consequences of mathematical errors with comedian Matt Parker. From bridge collapses to plane crashes, discover how small miscalculations can lead to big disasters in this entertaining and eye-opening talk.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 8 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

What Role Does Our Microbiome Play in a Healthy Diet? - With Tim Spector

Tim Spector explores the crucial role of the microbiome in our diet and overall health, challenging conventional nutrition wisdom and offering insights on improving gut diversity for better well-being.

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

Exploring Our Solar System - with Stuart Eves

Explore the mysteries and wonders of our solar system with Stuart Eves, from Mercury's hydrogen geysers to Pluto's nitrogen glaciers, uncovering fascinating discoveries and unanswered questions.

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

How the Wiring of Our Brains Shapes Who We Are - With Kevin Mitchell

Explore how brain wiring shapes individual differences in personality, intelligence, and behavior. Discover the interplay between genetics, development, and experience in forming our unique selves.

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

What Are Museums for in the 21st Century? - With Tristram Hunt

Explore the evolving role of museums in the 21st century, focusing on the V&A's efforts to balance historical preservation with contemporary relevance and future-oriented curation.

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

The World Under a Microscope - With Marty Jopson

Explore the microscopic world with Marty Jopson as he reveals hidden wonders, from everyday objects to advanced scientific techniques, in this captivating and visually stunning presentation.

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