Alumni Weekend

Oxford trip scholar Michael Jay is only the second non-Japanese man to hold a Samurai rank. Hear about his journey to becoming a Samurai. Followed by a viewing of the actual logbook of the incredible voyage of William Adams, the first non-Japanese Samurai, housed in the Bodleian Library.

Part of the 2010 Alumni Weekend. Dr Ovenden looks at the Bodleian's great acquisitions, from Alan Bennett's gift of his literary archive to Cavalli's Erismena, the earliest surviving score of an opera in the English language. Hear more about the 'treasure trove' which is the Bodleian today and some of the acquisitions which will be major resources for generations of scholars to come.

Part of the 2010 Alumni Weekend. Bodley's Librarian Dr Sarah Thomas in conversation with Dr Alice Prochaska, Principal of Somerville, discussing the 'infinitely expanding universe of memory' and collections in the digital age. What is the value of Oxford's library collections in a world where Google has digitised more books than are held by the Bodleian Libraries? Are the distinctions between the published and the unpublished becoming blurred?

Part of the 2010 Alumni Weekend. Timothy Endicott, Murray Hunt and Sandra Fredman discuss the future of human rights, looking at the human rights constitution, its critics and how to uphold human rights.

Part of the 2010 Alumni Weekend. Sir John Boardman gives a talk on the antique gems held in Blenheim Palace; the history of the collection and the significance to researching the Classics.

Part of the 2010 Alumni Weekend. Professor john Baines gives a talk on the Ashmolean Museum and its collection of ancient Egyptian art.

Part of the 2010 Alumni Weekend. Dr David Smith gives a talk on how to prevent Alzheimer's disease.

From the 2010 Alumni Weekend. Duchene Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic muscle wasting disease that causes great suffering to those experiencing it. Dr Kay Davies talks about the advances in molecular genetics which could help treat DMD.

From the 2010 Alumni Weekend. Marjorie Reeves Memorial lecture given in St Anne's College. Mark Bostridge, author of the first major biography of Florence Nightingale in 50 years talks about the great woman's life and character.

From the 2010 Alumni Weekend. Conrad Keating, biographer of Richard Doll, gives a talk on the difficulty scientists have at getting people to believe their results, as Richard Doll had when he published his findings on the dangers of smoking.