The 2024 CHRISTMAS LECTURES are supported by CGI. As we eagerly await broadcast, we asked Tara McGeehan, President of CGI's UK Operations, to share her thoughts about this very special Christmas tradition, 199 years in the making.
Over to you Tara...
With the festive season upon us, one of the UK’s most long-standing traditions takes place, the Royal Institution (Ri) CHRISTMAS LECTURES. They were the brainchild of Michael Faraday, and the first Lectures were delivered in 1825 by John Millington, Professor of Mechanics at the Ri. These iconic events have been held every year since, stopping only for WWII, inspiring young minds and sparking curiosity and wonder about the limitless possibilities of science and technology. At CGI we are immensely proud to partner with the Ri and sponsor the Lectures, which perfectly align with our mission to empower the next generation of STEM talent.
Curiosity is the foundation of invention, and these CHRISTMAS LECTURES have a unique power to ignite innovation in young people. Through dynamic experiments, storytelling and real-world demonstrations, the Lectures bring science and technology to life; they capture the imagination, show endless possibilities, and that a future career in STEM can be an exciting prospect. For CGI this is about more than inspiring interest in science – it’s about laying the groundwork for a thriving and sustainable, future science and tech workforce.
The Lectures offer young people a look into the world of technology and its power to transform the world around us, they highlight how STEM can help tackle global challenges and improve lives. From advances in AI, or the potential offered by developments in computing such quantum and neuromorphic; these technologies, and those we have yet to discover, will help to progress sustainable solutions for all humankind. They will help us tackle some of the most complex challenges that we all face, whether this is climate change, advancing medical science, or ever-increasing humanity’s exploration of space. The Lectures demonstrate that a career in tech is more than just a job – it’s a chance to make a lasting and positive impact.
This year, almost 200 years since they were first held, the Lectures will be presented by Dr Chris van Tulleken. He will explore the latest science about what happens inside our bodies when we eat. He will investigate ‘how food has fundamentally shaped human evolution’; and will explain ‘the importance of our microbiome – as the extra ‘organ’ we didn’t know we had’. He will also invite you to ‘discover how we can all eat better in future, for the sake of our own health and the health of the planet’. The audience will be treated to a series of fact-fuelled demos, special guest appearances, festive food hacks, and a healthy dose of self-experimentation, which I have no doubt will excite and surprise young minds.
One of the most thrilling aspects of the CHRISTMAS LECTURES is how inclusive they are, they provide a platform for diverse voices in STEM and are accessible to all. They help to challenge stereotypes and encourage young people from every background to consider a career in STEM. At CGI we share this commitment to being unconditionally inclusive, and as a responsible business we work tirelessly to build an environment where every one of our CGI Partners (so called because all our staff are shareholders) can thrive and feel truly valued. When young people see role models who look like them and share their experiences, it becomes easier for them to envision a similar career path.
Our partnership with the Ri is rooted in shared values. Together, we aim to nurture curiosity, foster innovation, and help to equip young people with the skills they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving world. The CHRISTMAS LECTURES are an extraordinary example of how to engage young minds, inspire them to explore STEM, and empower them to become the future generation of innovators.
This partnership also aligns with CGI’s broader goals of supporting the UK’s economic growth and drive innovation across the public and private sectors. Initiatives like the Lectures are critically important in creating a sustainable pipeline of STEM talent that will help to grow and sustain the UK’s economy.
For me, these Lectures aren’t just a festive tradition, they’re an opportunity to celebrate science, technology and the potential of young minds. As we work to foster the next generation of tech leaders and innovators, I am extremely proud that this partnership allows CGI to amplify our impact, helping to spark curiosity in classrooms, homes and communities across the UK. So, as you gather with your loved ones this year, I strongly encourage you to tune into the Royal Institution CHRISTMAS LECTURES. They are so much more than a celebration of science and tech; they celebrate what is possible – a fantastic reminder that the curious minds of today are the innovators of tomorrow.
The 2024 CHRISTMAS LECTURES will air on 29, 30 and 31 December on BBC Four and iPlayer.