Events

Since 1819, the Phil & Lit has been inviting the people of Leeds to hear from knowledgeable and entertaining speakers. Many are leaders in their field of science, arts or current affairs. We also hold an annual Science Fair and organise occasional visits. Becoming a member means that you’ll receive invitations to all these activities. We currently run a mix of real and virtual events. Scroll down to see upcoming events. Click on an event to book your space.

Upcoming Events Past Events

07 Dec 2023

The 2023 Leeds Phil & Lit Annual General Meeting and Dinner

The 2023 Leeds Phil & Lit Annual General Meeting & Dinner

07 Dec 2023

The 2023 Annual General Meeting

Take your role as a member in overseeing the report of the last year’s activities and helping to set the path for the next year.

The Congregation of Mill Hill Chapel at the time of Joseph Priestley’s Ministry

Historian Janet Douglas presents this year's Priestley Lecture In-person event with option to join remotely - link to be sent to all who book

Disputed inheritance: the battle over Mendel and the future of biology

A root-and-branch rethinking of how history has shaped the science of genetics - Professor Gregory Radick, University of Leeds

Temple Newsam park: one hundred years on

Explore changes to the grounds at Temple Newsam, on the 100th anniversary of the Park and the House opening to the people and city of Leeds. For MEMBERS only

The John Roles Memorial Lecture: Mining, milling & machinery

Recent archaeological explorations in Leeds - with Dan Waterfall, CFA Archaeology

150th Anniversary of Leeds Bridge – a walking tour

Exactly 150 years after the opening of Victorian Leeds Bridge, learn how the waterways & crossing points relate to the long story of Leeds – with Rachael Unsworth

Leonora Cohen 1873-1978

A woman ahead of her time - with Michael Meadowcroft - ONLINE ONLY

‘Here lies poor old Phil, while he lived his fill, and now he’s dead, he’s lying still’

The life and work of Phil May (1863-1903), a forgotten Leeds artist & humourist - with historian Janet Douglas

Science Fair 2023

Annual event at Leeds Museum when local scientists and scientific community groups welcome curiosity from the public. Budding scientists especially welcome. No booking required.

The battle of the standards of measurement: metric versus imperial and metrology’s culture wars

Historical, scientific and sociological dimensions of measurement – with James Vincent, author of ‘Beyond Measure’

Leeds Town Hall organ: rebuilding one of the UK’s largest concert hall organs

Why a Victorian giant has been taken apart and how it’s being remade - with Leeds City Organist Darius Battiwalla and organ builder Andrew Caskie of Nicholsons

The 2022 Leeds Phil & Lit Annual General Meeting, Dinner and Musical Entertainment

The 2022 Annual General Meeting

Take your role as a member in overseeing the report of the last year’s activities and helping to set the path for the next year.

The lost houses of Hunslet – progress at any price?

The quest to rediscover the heritage of a Leeds township - with local historian Steve Burt author of ‘The remarkable story of Hunslet’, 2022

Attacks on Knowledge from ancient Assyria to Ukraine

… and how to protect knowledge in a digital world The Priestley Lecture 2022 with Bodley’s Librarian, Richard Ovenden OBE In association with Mill Hill Chapel and The Leeds Library

Leeds Photographic Society 1852-2022

170 years of image making & photography, in Leeds & worldwide A talk by Alan Parsons at the hall in NE Leeds where the LPS usually meets

“I think with my hands” – scientist Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin

How analysis of patterns led to the Nobel prize for chemistry - with science author Georgina Ferry An in-person event hosted by The Leeds Library

CANCELLED Day trip to Derbyshire

Coach outing called off - apologies

Tamoxifen Tales: suggestions for scientific survival

The story of how scientists worked together to make progress in breast cancer treatment Announcement 18 July: ONLINE ONLY - because of weather-related travel problems All who booked to attend in person will be added to the list to receive Zoom details

100 Years of Insulin

From ‘Thick Brown Muck’ to ‘Wall Street Gold’ - Dr Kersten Hall

Seeing is believing

Professor Dame Julia Higgins takes us on a journey to explain how modern techniques of experimental observation can give us a fascinating insight into hidden worlds

The battle for textiles

From West Yorkshire wool to global multi-fibre business: shifts in power & environmental impacts - David Hart & Shirley-Anne Sherriff

Astbury Conversation – Zooming in on the Molecules of Life

Richard Henderson won a Nobel Prize for his work looking into structures of molecules forming the basis of life. Hear his remarkable story.

Public Cheney Lecture: A Thing of Beauty

Where science and art combine

Russian invasion of Ukraine: some critical reflections at the time of crisis – Dr Vlad Strukov

Reflections on Putin’s war in Ukraine - a Hot Topic talk

Laureate’s Library Tour

Poetry, conversation and a celebration of libraries - a University of Cambridge online event

Science Fair

Annual event at Leeds Museum - all welcome - no booking required

Thinking ahead about presenting the past

Deepening Connections, Widening Impact: Leeds Museums & Galleries 2022-27 - Dr David Hopes

Does Colour Exist?

A vividly illustrated talk exploring our understanding of colour - Professor Stephen Westland

Yorkshire – devolution or division?

A talk exploring the relationship between central and local government in the UK's largest county

Leeds in 1821

A Leeds Phil & Lit talk at Leeds City Museum 10:30am Thursday 2 December 2021. Rachael Unsworth, Urban Geographer and Tour Guide.

The Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover and the search for ancient life on Mars

A Leeds Phil & Lit 'Hot Topic' talk by Professor Nicholas Tosca, University of Cambridge

Priestley Lecture: The air we breathe

How understanding of disease transmission has evolved during COVID-19 Professor Cath Noakes, expert on ventilation

Artificial Intelligence – Part 2

What is ethical AI? A landscape of possibilities and pitfalls Gabriela Arriagada Bruneau, University of Leeds

Artificial Intelligence – Part 1

An intelligent introduction: opportunities and challenges Professor Netta Cohen, University of Leeds

100 years of the Chinese Communist Party

A sinologist's view of a century of politics and culture in the world's most populous country

The Benin Bronzes, Colonial Violence & Cultural Restitution – Professor Dan Hicks

The story of the Benin Bronzes sits at the heart of a heated debate about cultural restitution, repatriation and the decolonisation of museums. Professor Hicks, author of ‘Brutish Museums’, makes a powerful case for the urgent return of such objects.

SARS-CoV-2 variants: how do they arise & do we need to worry about them?

In this talk, leading microbiologist Professor Kellam explained how and why SARS-CoV-2 variants arise and spread and discussed what this may mean for the course of the pandemic and the effectiveness of vaccinations around the world.

A history of pigments from cave paintings to the present day

Dr Christine Holdstock taught Colour Science at the University of Leeds for over 20 years. Before joining the University staff, she worked at WIRA (the Wool Industries Research Association in Headingley), where she obtained a PhD from the University of Leeds on the control of the dyeing process.

The Priestley Lecture 2020. Edward Jenner: a man who changed the world

The 2020 Priestley Lecture is sponsored by the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society, The Leeds Library and Mill Hill Chapel. Professor Gareth Williams discusses the life and work of Jenner and his impact on the science of vaccination.

Programme for 2022

Coming soon

What’s it like being editor of Yorkshire’s national newspaper?

James Mitchinson, Editor of The Yorkshire Post, in conversation with Michael Meadowcroft, politician, historian & Leeds Phil & Lit Honorary Secretary

Programme of Events 2024

18:00 Thursday 4 January – Chris Graham: ‘Grown-up politics needs a grown-up voting system – our future depends on it’

13:00 Thursday 18 January – Jo Nash: ‘John William Inchbold (1830-1888) – the Leeds Pre-Raphaelite’

19:30 Wednesday 7 February – Sir Vince Cable: ‘Big business and the democratic process’

19:30 Monday 12 February – Lesley Newnham: ‘The John Tradescants, Father and Son – plant and ‘curiosity’ collectors’

11:00-16:00 Saturday 9 March – Science Fair at Leeds Museum, Millennium Square

19:30 Wednesday 20 March – Prof Gordon Love: ‘Light, camera, optics!’ Widening the scope of research about seeing and understanding

19:30 Tuesday 16 April – Dr Stephen Caunce: ‘Defoe’s visit to Leeds in 1724’

19:30 Thursday 9 May – Andrew Filarowski: ‘Dyes and Dyeing in Leeds – Past & Present’

19:30 Tuesday 21 May – Prof Ian Brooks: ‘Inspirations from the atmosphere: techniques and art of etching & printmaking’

19:30 Friday 7 June – Jacki & Robert Lawrence: ‘Smeaton of Austhorpe’ – the Father of Civil Engineering born 8 June 1724

Time tbc Thursday 20 June – Jane Mitchell: ‘Scarlet & greys to black & white: the art of war in Leeds Art Gallery from Lady Elizabeth Butler to Nevinson’

11:00 Thursday 11 July – visit to Rodley Nature Reserve

19:30 Thursday 5 September – Dr Kathryn Ferry: ‘Victorian drinking fountains’

19:30 Monday 21 October – Dr Michele Mak: ‘The history and future of cement’ – on the 200^th anniversary of Joseph Aspdin’s patent for Portland Cement

19:30 Wednesday 6 November The Annual Priestley Lecture – Dr Catherine Walsh: ‘The James Webb Telescope and implications for humanity’

19:30 Monday 25 November – Prof Nick Plant: ‘‘Life at the cutting edge of biological sciences’

18:00 Thursday 5 December: Annual General Meeting & Dinner

More details closer to the time of the events.

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Grants

The Society makes grants both to individuals and to organisations in support of cultural and scientific activities which increase innovation, outreach and diversity in Leeds and its immediate area. It also supports local museums and galleries and publications relating to the city.