News From Elsewhere in the University

Philip Ball - Beyond Weird: One Hundred Years of Quantum Mechanics

A century ago, Werner Heisenberg’s ideas led to quantum mechanics, a theory that precisely describes how atoms behave. Despite its accuracy, scientists still debate what it tells us about reality. Philip Ball will explore how popular stories of particles being in two places at once oversimplify the even stranger truths.

Friday 7 November, 5pm, Oxford Playhouse. Hosted by our own Marcus du Sautoy.

The University's Digital Festival is back for 2025, with a focus on AI and its impact on research, education and operations. This full-day programme of talks and roundtable discussions, with a supporting exhibition to inspire and inform, is open to all staff across the University and Colleges. 

Thursday 20 November at Rhodes House

Hakim Adi - Power and Pride: Histories of African and Caribbean People in Britain

16^th October, 17:15, Keble College. 

More information

The Michaelmas term 2025 Department of Computer Science Strachey Lecture will be held on Tuesday 21 October at 15:00, in the Museum of Natural History and will star:

Rafail Ostrovsky - ‘Advances in Garbled Circuits’ 

More information

Enrolment for Michaelmas term courses in Modern Languages and Academic English at the Language Centre is open until 12 noon on Wednesday of Week 1 (15 October). Classes take place weekly, online or in person, with many lunchtime and evening sessions on offer.

A range of wellbeing events and resources are available to University staff this term, delivered as part of the Thriving at Oxford Action Plan 2025-28.

On 23 September 2025, the Oxford EARTH programme invites all members of the University of Oxford to join them for their internal launch event.

Would you like to seek innovative solutions to societal challenges through collaboration? Are you interested in using your research and public engagement skills to support Oxfordshire communities? Do you want to develop your skills and gain new insights and perspectives? If so, then apply now to be part of our community engagement programme. More information.

Are you ready to lead the way in making engagement a meaningful and recognised part of your department's culture?

The MPLS PCER Fellows Scheme offers up to five fellowships with £4,000 funding each for researchers and professional services staff to develop strategic public and community engagement with research (PCER) initiatives that drive culture change, support REF readiness, and embed responsible research practice.

Application deadline: 12 noon, Friday 12 September 2025

Why Networks Matter: Embracing Biological Complexity - John Quackenbush, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Tuesday 29 July at 2:00 pm in the Small Lecture Theatre, Department of Statistics

There will be a reception following the talk in the Ground Floor Social Area. There is no need to register – just join us on the day.