The Future of Journalism

28th January 2026

The first 700th Anniversary lecture was delivered by Matthew Parris (1969), who spoke on 'The Future of Journalism'.

Matthew Parris is a former MP and a prize winning author, columnist and broadcaster.  He currently writes columns for The Times and the Spectator as well as presenting the BBC Radio 4 biographical programme Great Lives. He was named Political Journalist of the Year at the Press Awards 2015. His latest book Fracture is a fascinating exploration of his theory that genius is often sparked by childhood trauma. 

During his talk, Parris drew on decades of experience in politics and the media, offering reflections on how journalism has evolved and where it may be heading. He captivated the audience with a series of engaging stories, both on how compelling narratives are created, and why, despite the world of constantly shifting multimedia, human beings continue to crave a good story.

The Future of Medicine

25th February 2026

The second 700th Anniversary lecture was given by Sir Mark Walport (1971), who explored 'The Future of Medicine'.

Sir Mark Walport is Foreign Secretary and Vice President of the Royal Society. He chairs Imperial College Health Partners and is a trustee of the British Museum and of the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation. His previous roles include chair of Kennedy Memorial Trust; non-executive director of NHS England; founding CEO of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI); Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA); co-chair of the Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology; Director of the Wellcome Trust; and Professor and Head of the Division of Medicine, Imperial College London.  

Sir Mark delivered a lecture brimming with insight, reflecting the breadth of his experience across science, government, and healthcare. He discussed how advances in science, engineering and technology are transforming medicine, highlighting the rapid growth of digitally based medicine, and the expanding role of data and AI. He also discussed the impact of social factors on disease and explored the ‘medicine of the mind’ emphasising how much work remains to be done in this field. 

The Future of Archeology

18th March 2026

The third 700th Anniversary lecture was delivered by Professor Susan Alcock (1983), who explored 'The Future of Archaeology'.

Professor Alcock first arrived at Clare as a Mellon Fellow from Yale in 1983, before returning as a Junior Research Fellow from 1988 to 1990; in 2012 she was elected an Honorary Fellow of the College.  She has held professorships at the Universities of Michigan, Brown, and now Oklahoma, and has published numerous books and articles.  Her principal research interests are landscape archaeology, the Hellenistic and Roman East, and archaeologies of memory and of imperialism and she has done fieldwork in Greece, Armenia, Jordan, Italy, and Tunisia.    

Her lecture opened with an exploration of archaeology’s public reputation and the influence of popular culture on shaping perceptions of the field. She went on to demystify what archaeology truly involves, offering a clearer picture of the discipline’s real purpose and practices. Concluding her talk, Sue looked ahead to the future of archaeology, emphasising its ongoing importance not only in deepening our knowledge of the past but also in helping us make sense of the future.

The Future of Defence

18th March 2026

The fourth 700th Anniversary lecture was delivered by Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton (1988), speaking on ‘The Future of Defence’. 

Sir Richard studied engineering at Clare before embarking on a distinguished career in the Royal Air Force. He has held a range of staff appointments in the Ministry of Defence, Air Command and in acquisition and support, and served as Chief of the Air Staff prior to his appointment as Chief of the Defence Staff in 2025. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineers, holds an Honorary Doctorate from Derby University and serves as an ambassador for the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust and the Royal Air Forces Association.

Speaking to a full auditorium, Sir Richard offered a candid assessment of the future of war. Drawing on insights from a recent visit to the frontline in Ukraine, he explored emerging challenges facing global defence, including the growing threat of anti‑satellite capabilities and the rise of cognitive warfare.

* At the request of the speaker, this lecture was not recorded.