Alex Hopkins Lecture and Dinner 2026
March 27 @ 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
This year’s lecture, ‘Keeping it Light’, will be delivered by Dr James Dolan, from the University of Cambridge.
A light-hearted lecture about optical materials, science comedy, and the social science of science communication, in memory of Alex Hopkins
Scientists tend to know their stuff. James, for example, knows about light and how to make artificial materials (‘metamaterials’) which interact with light in unusual ways. Scientists also tend to want to share what they know with others. James, for example, will gladly tell you about his metamaterials. He might even attempt to do it through the medium of comedy. But scientists can have some funny ideas about what should happen when they tell the public about science. James certainly did. And social scientists, who also tend to know their stuff, have quite a bit to say about this. Whether or not the scientists, including James, are paying attention, however, is another question entirely.
Our speaker: Dr James Dolan
Dr James Dolan is an engineer, physicist and occasional science communicator who, when he isn’t teaching, researches how scientists use improvised comedy as a form of science communication. In this lecture, he’ll teach you how to make a metamaterial (not really something you can do at home), introduce you to the world of science comedy (hold your breath for the scientific ‘proto-joke’), and offer you some insights from the social science of science communication (yes, it does exist, and is absolutely fascinating).
The Alex Hopkins Fund
Alex Hopkins was a student and Teaching Fellow in Chemistry at Churchill College who died tragically young in 2006. Each year, the Alex Hopkins Fund supports the award of one or more prizes for outstanding overall achievement in the final Tripos examination in Chemistry, as well as sponsoring an annual lecture to be held in the Department of Chemistry.
Alex’s infectious enthusiasm and humour characterised his teaching and his exceptional ability to communicate his passion for science. The lectures, although routed in science, aim to be as much about entertaining as educating and are designed to be appealing and accessible to all.
Booking
The lecture takes place at the Wolfson Lecture Theatre at the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry and will be followed by a High Table in College in memory of Alex.
If you wish to attend the lecture only, please book through the Cambridge Festival site (booking not live yet, coming soon).
If you wish to attend the dinner and lecture, please book for the dinner below and check the box on the form to be added to the lecture guest list.
Dinner
Alumni and non-members: please use the form at the bottom of this page to book tickets to the dinner and after-dinner drinks. You can make an additional donation to the Alex Hopkins Fund using the form.
- Alumni should select the ‘Alumni ticket’ option for themselves and up to one guest to dine (thus using their High Table dining rights to susbsidise the cost). The price includes post-dinner drinks in the Cockcroft Room.
- Non-members of the College are welcome to book a place at the dinner and post-dinner drinks. Please select the ‘ticket’ option.
- Fellows should use the SCR High Table sign-up page as usual.
Accommodation
Unfortunately, this event falls within the College Period of Residence, even though it is outside of term. This means we cannot yet make rooms bookable for those wishing to stay in College until we know which rooms are being vacated. We do envisage there will be availability, so please email the Accommodation Office with enquiries and they will assist.
March 27 @ 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm