40th anniversary lectures by Kate Adie, Professor Heinz Wolff and Trevor Bayliss

The Open University has organised a series of lectures to mark its 40th anniversary with Kate Adie, Professor Heinz Wolff and Trevor Bayliss on the books.

Professor Heinz Wolff, the renowned scientist and broadcaster, is to give a lecture entitled Frugality and Mutality, Crunch and Care? at the Ealing Town Hall on Tuesday 19 May.

In his lecture, OU Honorary Graduate Professor Heinz Wolff will reflect on what the world will be like when he is 111. Professor Wolff predicts accelerating change in the next 20 years which may see the world having to make do with less and help each other more.

Professor Wolff is probably best known in the science world as inventor of Bioengineering and to the public for his television and radio work over the years, including such series as BBC´s The Great Egg Race. In March 2009 he became the star of a new computer/Wii game, Professor Heinz Wolff´s Gravity.

18.00: Tea and coffee on arrival
18.30: Lecture commences (late-comers will not be admitted)
19.15: Questions and answers
19.30: Networking opportunity
20.30: Close

Trevor Baylis OBE, the renowned inventor, is to give a lecture entitled Why Invent? at the Light Box in Woking on Wednesday 3 June.

Trevor believes that ingenious ideas often get lost because bright problem solvers don’t know how to turn their concept into reality. He believes the art of invention should be taught at school and that as a society we should find ways to recognise the achievements of inventors.

Trevor is best known for inventing the clockwork radio. In 1991, he saw a television program about the spread of AIDS in Africa and he set about developing the Wind Up Radio. His first working prototype ran for 14 minutes and in 1994 was featured on the Tomorrow’s World’on BBC1. The product’s potential was immediately recognised and the following year BayGen Power Industries was set-up in Cape Town, South Africa employing disabled workers to manufacture the Freeplay Wind Up Radio.

Trevor has made many television and radio appearances in the UK, as well as after-dinner speaking, sharing with others the world of invention, innovation and the importance of protecting your intellectual property. He draws on his earlier performing experiences of being a stunt man to create a bit of a show.

18.00: Tea and coffee on arrival
18.30: Lecture commences (late-comers will not be admitted)
19.15: Questions and answers
19.30: Networking opportunity
20.30: Close

Kate Adie, the renowned author and broadcaster, is to give a lecture entitled Reporting From the Front Line at the National Glass Centre in Sunderland on Monday 15 June.

Kate Adie became a familiar figure to viewers through her work as the BBC´s Chief News Correspondent.  She is considered to be among the finest reporters, as well as one of the first British women sending despatches from danger zones around the world.  She is also familiar as the presenter of Radio 4´s From Our Own Correspondent and a guest on numerous other radio and television programmes.

18.30: Tea and coffee on arrival
19:00: Lecture commences (late-comers will not be admitted)
20.10: Questions and answers
20.30: Networking opportunity and book signing
21.00: Close

Places are be in high demand and are limited so pre-registering is essential and tickets will be issued on a first-come first-served basis. If you wish to book a place at this event please respond email anniversary@open.ac.uk (alumni should email alumni@open.ac.uk) stating which lecture you´d like to attend.