An enterprising team of more than 1,000 Bristol students and alumni has founded the Best of Bristol (BoB) lectures. The programme of free lunchtime talks in the University’s Victoria Rooms covers subjects ranging from aviation and quantum chemistry to paganism and philosophy. The next lecture (13.10 on Thursday 25 November) is by Professor Nick Lieven and entitled ‘Aircraft, oil and cigarettes: will it all end in disaster?’

The project was founded by Bristol graduate Tom Corfield and is coordinated by undergraduate George Cave, both from the Faculty of Engineering.

Tom said:

‘I studied engineering, but spent a lot of my time at Bristol going to see my friends’ favourite lecturers in action. This turned out to be the most rewarding thing I did. I came up with the BoB lectures to allow other students to share this fantastic experience.’

To gather backing for his idea, Tom set up a website to allow people to register their interest. Within three months there were 1,300 signatures and statements of support from students, alumni, and staff. To choose which academics should take part in the series, Tom asked the group to vote in an online survey. Lecturers were chosen from all areas of the University.

The lectures take place 13.10-14.00 on Thursdays until 16 December and 20-27 January and are free and open to all. The full programme is available on the BoB site. For those who can’t attend in person, many of the events are being filmed and will be posted on the site. The events have been attended by over 1,000 people so far.

The organisers hope that the project will develop into an annual student celebration of teaching at the University.

Tom said:

‘Everyone has responded so positively to the idea. It’s brilliant that there’s so much support for great teaching at Bristol – and there are so many fantastic lecturers that a series of 10 could never include them all!’