To date, the Matariki Lecture has been an annual event; with a faculty member from one Matariki partner institution traditionally delivering a public lecture with Q&A at one of the other partner institutions, (often as part of a wider visit).
In 2020, the Matariki Executive voted to build on this concept by developing a more regular series of lectures; with several presentations being delivered over a shorter period of time attached to the same broad theme.
The first such series, on the theme of “Human Evolution”, was successfully held in March 2021. Led and hosted by the University of Tübingen, speakers from Tübingen, Uppsala, Dartmouth and Durham delivered short (15 minute) lectures on different aspects of the wider topic, followed by a live Q&A / panel discussion session featuring all members. The YouTube recording can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS3UkNlq9Sc&list=PLoDT3ZU3FLTlkzOYg8zhT8X33_d-PJ2ST&index=5.
Planning is now well underway for the second series, which will be on the theme of “Race, Racism and Decolonisation”. This broad theme will cover a range of different aspects and viewpoints within the series and the following three sub-themes have been defined:
- Racism and social determinants of health;
- Practical impacts of racism on everyday living;
- Decolonisation.
Event dates have now been confirmed as follows:
- Event 1 – Racism and social determinants of health: Thursday 21st October (8:00-9:30am UK time);
- Event 2 – Practical impacts of racism on everyday living: Monday 25th October (3:00-4:30pm UK time);
- Event 3 – Decolonisation: Wednesday 27th October (midnight – 1:30am UK time). NB this will be the previous evening (Tuesday 26th) for colleagues in North America.