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Public lecture series

Our public lectures are free events that attract a diverse audience including the public, secondary school pupils and professionals. The series aims to open up areas of interest in the Earth and environmental sciences and present new research in this area to the public.

Understanding ancient worlds: how can geosciences and environmental sciences influence archaeology?

There is no doubt that our understanding of the importance of archaeological finds is linked to the development and wider application of scientific methodology.

As part of this year's series of public lectures, we welcome fascinating speakers and investigate the use of some geoscientific and environmental techniques to improve our understanding of past history and environments, both here in South Wales and around the world.

These presentations will investigate how evidence of sediments and rocks, geochemistry, the dating of human remains and artefacts, climatic and forensic data and the landscape and vegetation can help build a clear picture of our shared history, including Roman and Colonial and more recent contexts, and also influence our views on conservation and heritage strategies.

The 2022/23 monthly Lecture Series will be held in the Wallace Lecture Theatre (Room 0.13), Main Building. Lectures begin at 18:30.

You do not need to book a ticket for the events.

DateGuest speakerTopic
12 December 2023Professor Nicki  Whitehouse- University of GlasgowWhy is archaeology important to our contemporary environmental challenges?
14  November 2023Dr Tim Young (Cardiff University)Clearing the smoke: science and early ironmaking
10 October 2023Dr Mélanie Roffet-Salque (University of Bristol)Advancing the application of lipids in archaeological and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction
12 September 2023Professor Martin Bell (Reading University)The Geoarchaeology of the Severn Estuary - the John Allen legacy.
9 May 2023Dr Steve Smith (Oxford University)Net zero and beyond: the role of CO2 removal
18 April 2023Prof. Jianzhong Wu (Cardiff University)Integrated energy infrastructure driving the Net Zero transition
14 March 2023Muneta Grace Kangara (Nottingham University)Meeting food and nutrition security needs of a growing population
14 February 2023Dr Caroline Wainwright (Cardiff University)The challenges of seasonal rainfall: Understanding the challenges of rainfall dependence in climates where it doesn’t rain year round
13 December 2022Dr Tracy Shimmield (BGS Edinburgh) and Prof. Chris MacLeod (Cardiff University)Chris will explore seafloor sulphide deposits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. There will be a pre-recorded talk from Tracy on 'Mining the seafloor'  followed by a Q&A.
8 November 2022Dr Eva Marquis  (Camborne School of Mines, Exeter University)Finding balance in the green transition
11 October 2022Professor Wolfgang Maier (Cardiff University)Minerals for the energy transition: on-shore resources
13 September 2022Dr Joel C. Gill (Cardiff University)The future we want: how do we deliver it?

Parking

Our on-campus parking rules have changed. Parking at the Bute Car Park will only be available free of charge to attendees who submit their vehicle registration number. A sign-in sheet will be available during the lectures. Please record your details at every event.

The Main Building car park is available to blue badge holders only. Parking is very limited and there are 5 designated accessible parking bays. Visitors can reserve a parking space in advance by contacting carparking@cardiff.ac.uk.

Public street parking is available along Park Place and Museum Avenue. Charges apply before 19:00.

Contact us

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Professor Dianne Edwards at edwardsd2@cardiff.ac.uk.

Should you require the Q&A sessions to be in Welsh, please email edwardsd2@cardiff.ac.uk at least two weeks before the event.