David Elder Lectures
Glasgow Science Centre is proud to host the David Elder Lectures in partnership with the University of Strathclyde's Department of Physics. The David Elder lecture series presents a line-up of fascinating talks by expert astronomers, spaceflight pioneers, award-winning science writers and broadcasters. This lecture series continues the tradition of monthly astronomy lectures in Glasgow which began with the first David Elder Lecture in 1905!
This regular monthly programme of talks in The Planetarium runs over the winter months each year. Each lecture lasts approx. 1 hour and is best suited to older teenagers (aged 16 years+) and adults.
- Month: Monthly from September to March
- Time: 19:00 GMT
- Duration: 1 hour
2025-26 Lecture Series
Tickets for the first three lectures in the 2025-26 series are now on sale. The first speakers are confirmed as follows:
Dr. Christopher Berry, University of Glasgow
Celebrating 10 years of discovery with gravitational waves
Wednesday, 17 September 2025
Prof. Moira Jardine, University of St Andrews
Growing up in a rowdy household: a star’s role in shaping the lives of its exoplanets
Wednesday, 29 October 2025
Dr. Jinglang Feng, University of Strathclyde
Asteroids: from scientific exploration to planetary defence
Wednesday, 26 November 2025
Please note that our summer event, The Science of Star Trek with Dr. Erin Macdonald, is now fully SOLD OUT and no further tickets are available.

The David Elder Memorial Bequest
Read about the 'father of marine engineering on the Clyde'