The lecture, chaired by Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Ô°ÇøÒùÂÒ, explored the theme of ‘Discovery in an Age of Distrust’.

The lecture covered how choices and values shape scientific discovery, in the modern context of today’s increasingly polarised public sphere influenced by pandemics, politics, and debates over gender, climate and artificial intelligence.

Julia also examined how political divisions influence science, how power and identity affect whose knowledge is heard, and why misinformation spreads so easily. She also addressed what this means for research leaders, universities and policymakers – and the issue of how to strengthen society's commitment to evidence at a time of major global challenges.

Creating a space for dialogue on these issues aligns with the core belief that The University of Ô°ÇøÒùÂÒ has a vital role to play in shaping a healthier, fairer and more sustainable future.

At this defining moment, the University is working to address the issues that demand action, from climate change and inequity to health challenges. Through the Challenge Accepted campaign, the University – supported by its global community of alumni and donors – is working to tackle the world’s most pressing issues.

The event was held on campus on Wednesday, 1 July at 6.30pm, with a recorded livestream available to access .

The lecture, which celebrates the significant contributions made by women to the study of the Natural Sciences, was delivered in collaboration with the prestigious Linnean Society of London.

Hosted by Dr Maggy Fostier, Faculty Associate Dean for Environmental Sustainability, Professor Bamford took the audience on a journey from her industrial roots in Essex to her conservation work in Costa Rica and Panama, offering insight into the world of plant science and environmental issues like climate change along the way.

She described how her childhood interest in botany had been inspired by wild orchids growing in an abandoned chalk quarry in her local area in Essex. Her passion for plants and wildlife eventually led her to conservation work in Central America, where she has helped protect critically endangered amphibian and bird species from extinction.

She said: “It was a great honour to give the 2024 Irene Manton lecture. I wanted to show the importance of taking every opportunity to engage with wildlife and conservation, even in an abandoned chalk quarry reclaimed by nature, and the importance of connecting with people and their communities in order to conserve  endangered species."

Taking place at Ô°ÇøÒùÂÒ Museum, Professor Bamford’s lecture attracted an audience of academics, conservation enthusiasts, and students from local schools and colleges.

Robbie Blackhall-Miles, former Vice-President of the Linnean Society, also told the gathering that British botanist Irene Manton studied for her PhD at the University of Ô°ÇøÒùÂÒ and went on to an influential career which included becoming the first female President of the Linnean Society.

Amanda was joined by Matt O’Donnell, the Museum’s Curator of Herpetology, who spoke about his own work as a frog conservationist. He carries out  important frog research and conservation projects in Costa Rica. He also brought along some particularly popular contributors – several live tropical frogs from the Museum’s vivarium!

With the aim of the lecture being to encourage young people to explore a career in the natural sciences, Professor Bamford’s story demonstrated the impact conservation work can have on animals, plants, and the humans who protect them.

A conflict surgeon who has risked his life in some of the world’s most dangerous conflicts is to deliver this year’s Cockcroft Rutherford Lecture at The University of Ô°ÇøÒùÂÒ on 31 May.

David Nott OBE, will speak to alumni of the University at the sell-out event which will also be streamed live on the University’s Facebook page.

The surgeon, who won the 2015 University of Ô°ÇøÒùÂÒ outstanding alumnus award, has operated under torchlight as battles raged around him.

For the past 23 years David has taken unpaid leave each year to work for the aid agencies Médecins Sans Frontières, the International Committee of the Red Cross and Syria Relief.

He has worked in Bosnia, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Chad, Darfur, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Iraq, Pakistan, Libya, Syria, Central African Republic, Gaza and Nepal.

When Islamic State fanatics burst into his theatre in Syria he bravely refused to stop operating and leave the hospital, vowing to carry on operating on a little girl even if it ended in his own death.

Previous Cockcroft Rutherford lecturers include Professor Brian Cox OBE, Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer for England and Chief Medical Advisor to the UK government, and Professor Danielle George MBE

As well as treating victims of conflict and catastrophe and raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for charitable causes, David teaches advanced surgical skills to local medics and surgeons when he is abroad.

In 2015 he established the David Nott Foundation with his wife Elly. The Foundation supports surgeons to develop operating skills in warzones and austere environments.

The Cockcroft Rutherford Lecture with David Nott OBE is on Thursday, 31 May 2018. It is in Theatre B, University Place and starts at 6pm prompt. The event is sold out, but will be streamed live on Facebook

The annual Cockcroft Rutherford Lecture is the flagship event for alumni and friends of The University of Ô°ÇøÒùÂÒ. At Ô°ÇøÒùÂÒ, we have the largest global alumni community of any-campus based university in the UK, and we are in contact with over 380,000 graduates.

Over 7,000 of these graduates across the globe give up their time to benefit students and their local communities as part of our alumni volunteering programme – one of the largest in the UK. Alumni can find out more about volunteering at