Gresham College welcomes Professors and Fellows for launch of new academic year 

What do you call a gathering of Gresham College Professors? The new Provost suggested a Hopper at the inaugural lecture of the 2026-27 academic year, which she delivered on empathy. 

To mark the start of the new season, Gresham Professors past and present, and Gresham College fellows joined other audience members earlier this week. 

Richard Smith OBE, the executive director of the College, said it was "an absolute delight" to welcome people to the lecture, including those making their first visit to Barnard's Inn Hall. 

At the start of her lecture, Professor Jane Shaw – the Provost of Gresham College – said this coming year would have a focus on arts and humanities, quoting Iris Murdoch: "Art is not a diversion or a side issue, it is the most educational of all human activities and a place in which the nature of all morality can be seen". 

After the lecture, the Hopper hopped to a drinks reception with the the Chair of the College, Professor Robert Allison CBE.

Among those attending was the Revd Professor John Bowker, Gresham Professor of Divinity between 1992 and 1997, and former Provosts Sir Richard J Evans, Professor Martin Elliott, and Professor Sarah Hart. 

Also among those returning was Professor Carolyn Roberts, who served as Frank Jackson Professor of the Environment (2014-2018) and was also a member of the academic board. She was delighted to return to the College and meet old friends. 

“After I finished my professorship, I was on the academic board for a while, and I really enjoyed my engagement with the College. Not just because I was keen to contribute to the direction of the College, but from a personal point of view, you meet such interesting people, fascinating people,” she explained. “Since then, I have done bits and pieces for the College including some schools lectures.  

“To come to this and see people I haven't seen for quite a while has been wonderful, refreshing friendships with such fascinating people. Gresham College has the greatest people: the scientists, artists, musicians, from the arts, and humanities and it is a real privilege to be able to meet them again.”  

She continued: “I enjoyed the Provost’s lecture, as she was speaking on something that is not my field. I'm an environmental scientist, and we often look in a talk for a more sort of linear progression. What we saw was a number of themes converging, which is not what you usually get in a science lecture. I did enjoy it, and I thought the quotes Professor Shaw used were very well chosen, and fascinating.” 

Richard Smith was pleased to welcome Fellows and former Professors back, saying it was a great way to launch the new academic year. 

"This was a splendid evening. The Provost gave a well-received lecture about empathy, the hall was overflowing, we had some magnificent questions from the audiences, and we enjoyed seeing so many people who have helped ensure Sir Thomas Gresham's vision for the College continues in fine fashion. 

"We are now looking forward to many lectures across this academic year, including a new series of lunchtime events." 

Pictured (front, L-R) Professor Jane Shaw, Richard Smith OBE, (back) Professor Robert Allison CBE.