CHRISTMAS LECTURES Zone: Who am I?

Alice and Aoife

Professor Alice Roberts and Professor Aoife McLysaght take us on a fascinating journey to answer the most fundamental of questions: Who am I? in the Royal Institution’s CHRISTMAS LECTURES 2018.

On this site, a group of experts are ready to answer your questions about the Lectures and their themes from the broadcast of the first Lecture on Boxing Day (BBC4, 8pm) to the end of January 2019.

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This zone covers the topics brought up in the Lectures: evolution, genetics, anatomy, identity and more.

Meet the experts who’ll be answering your questions


Professor Alice Roberts | Image: Paul Wilkinson Photography

Professor Alice Roberts is a biological anthropologist, author and broadcaster. She is professor of Public Engagement in Science at the University of Birmingham.

Alice is interested in the evolution, structure and function of humans, and our place in the wider environment. Having originally studied and practiced medicine in Cardiff, she then became a lecturer at the University of Bristol, focusing on biological, evolutionary anthropology.

As a champion of science communication, Alice has a long held affection for the Royal Institution, and remembers watching the Christmas Lectures herself as a child.


 

Professor Aoife McLysaght

Professor Aoife McLysaght leads the Molecular Evolution Laboratory of the Smurfit Institute of Genetics at Trinity College Dublin. Aoife is one of the world’s leading genetics researchers and was on the team that analysed the initial sequence of the first human genome.

Aoife is also a regular contributor to both TV and radio discussions, and has spoken at the Electric Picnic, TEDx, and The Royal Institution.


The 2018 CHRISTMAS LECTURES are broadcast on BBC4 at 8pm each night between 26-28 December 2018.

Take a look at the Royal Institution’s CHRISTMAS LECTURES website for more information. Thank you to the 2018 CHRISTMAS LECTURES major supporter, Lloyd’s Register Foundation.