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Dame Ellen MacArthur MBE comes to The University of Nottingham on April 22 to talk about her experiences as one of the world’s most celebrated sailors.
Dame Ellen, who became a household name in 2005 when she broke the record for the fastest solo circumnavigation of the globe, will give a public lecture on ‘High Sea Sailing’.
Her record-breaking solo journey in 2005 saw her circumnavigate the globe in 71 days and 14 hours. It was a feat that gained her international renown, and she was made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of her achievements, to add to her MBE
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Since her record-breaking journey she has given up ocean racing to become a campaigner for the environment, highlighting the dangers of climate change and the plight of species affected by global warming.
Through her charity, the Ellen MacArthur Trust, she also works to help in the recovery of children with serious illnesses. The Trust takes children and young people sailing to help them regain their confidence, on their way to recovery from cancer, leukaemia and other serious illness.
Dame Ellen’s lecture is part of a short series of guest lectures organised by local doctors and graduates of Nottingham University through the activities of Nottingham Medico-Chirurgical Society and the Pickering Association.
Established in 1828, the Nottingham Medico-Chirurgical Society is one of the oldest medical societies in the UK. Taking its name from the ancient version of the word ‘surgery’, the Society runs a programme of meetings each year to bring its members together. Undergraduate medics at The University of Nottingham are entitled to free temporary membership during their studies.
David Walker, Professor of Paediatric Oncology at The University of Nottingham, and this year’s president of the Society, said: “We are delighted that Dame Ellen will join us in Nottingham and that we can hear first hand of her extraordinary exploits and fantastic work with young people and the environment.”
Dame Ellen MacArthur’s open lecture takes place at 5.45 for 6.15pm in room LT1 of the Medical School at QMC. Entrance is by ticket only; tickets cost £5 each, with proceeds going to the Ellen MacArthur Trust to help childhood cancer and leukaemia survivors.
Advance booking forms can be requested from Tanya.nadar@nuh.nhs.uk, or downloaded from the Med Chi website: http://www.medchi.org.uk/
Two other lectures are being organised as part of the Nottingham Medico-Chirurgical Society series:
• Bart History of Medicine Lecture: The History of Padua Medical School, by Giorgio Perilongo, Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Padua — March 25 2010, 6.15pm LT3 Medical School
• The Bart Debate: Dr Bill Holmes, ‘Views from the Dark Side’ — May 13 2010, LT3 Medical School
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The University of Nottingham is ranked in the UK's Top 10 and the World's Top 100 universities by the Shanghai Jiao Tong (SJTU) and the Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings.
More than 90 per cent of research at The University of Nottingham is of international quality, according to RAE 2008, with almost 60 per cent of all research defined as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. Research Fortnight analysis of RAE 2008 ranks the University 7th in the UK by research power. In 27 subject areas, the University features in the UK Top Ten, with 14 of those in the Top Five.
The University provides innovative and top quality teaching, undertakes world-changing research, and attracts talented staff and students from 150 nations. Described by The Times as Britain's “only truly global university”, it has invested continuously in award-winning campuses in the United Kingdom, China and Malaysia. Twice since 2003 its research and teaching academics have won Nobel Prizes. The University has won the Queen's Award for Enterprise in both 2006 (International Trade) and 2007 (Innovation — School of Pharmacy), and was named ‘Entrepreneurial University of the Year’ at the Times Higher Education Awards 2008.
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