Annual Lecture 2025 - The Future of Truth: Why we should support Research in the Arts and Humanities

Open event (non-members may book to attend)

Tickets:
£55 Drinks Reception, Lecture and Canapes

Schedule:
6.30 pm – Drinks reception
7.00 pm – Lecture begins
7.40 pm – Q&A
8.00 pm – Drinks & canape reception
9.30 pm – Carriages

Dress code: Business Attire

We are delighted that Dame Judith Macgregor DCMG LVO DL will be our speaker at this event.

The Future of Truth: Why we should support Research in the Arts and Humanities

At a time of tight budgets and competing priorities: how and where we fund our sciences - in the broadest sense- is a live and controversial topic. Dame Judith Macgregor, former diplomat and member of the Arts and Humanities Research Council will focus on why Arts and Humanities research is so important for understanding and managing the fast moving social, economic, political and technological challenges that face us.

Her talk will highlight research that looks at questions directly addressing the forward trajectory of learning and communication, the role of AI, our understanding of truth and new ways to access and benefit from the accumulated knowledge and expertise in our universities, museums, galleries, and libraries.

Dame Judith Macgregor was British High Commissioner to South Africa from September 2013 until March 2017, when she retired from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office after some 40 years in the Diplomatic Service.

After graduating from Oxford (LMH) with a first-class degree in Modern History, and a year in Romania, Dame Judith entered the FCO in 1976 serving first in the former Yugoslavia, and later as First Secretary in Prague and Paris.

After accompanying her husband as Director General for Trade Promotion in Germany and Ambassador to Poland, she resumed her career as FCO Director for Security Policy in 2000, and then as Ambassador to Slovakia (2004-6). She became FCO Director for Migration in 2007 and Ambassador to Mexico in 2009. In 2013, she became British High Commissioner to South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland and was awarded the DCMG in January 2016.

In 2017, Dame Judith was appointed to the Board of the British Tourist Authority, serving as its Chair from 2021-2. She is the Senior Independent Director of the UK/Mexican mining company, Fresnillo plc and Vice Chair of the Council of Southampton University. In 2018 she joined the Arts and Humanities Research Council, as well as becoming a trustee of the University of Cape Town Charitable Trust. In February 2020 she was appointed Chair of the Strategic Advisory Group to the Global Challenges Research Fund, moving to chair a new International Strategic Advisory Group to UK Research and Innovation.in August 2023. In March 2020 she became a Trustee of the Caradon Lecture trust.

Beyond her Board activity, Dame Judith is an Honorary Bencher of the Middle Temple and Deputy Lieutenant for Hampshire.

The evening will begin at 6.30 pm with a drinks reception in the Court Room, followed by the lecture in the Hall at 7.00 pm. Time will be given for questions before the end of the talk at 7.40 pm. A drinks reception with canapes will be served until 9.30 pm.

There will be no dinner after the lecture this year.

The deadline for bookings is Monday, 17 March 2025 after which no refunds will be made.