Former Universities Minister David Willetts to give public lecture

This Thursday (11 June), we are giving you the chance to hear the man who has shaped higher education policy for the past four years talk about the future of UK science and innovation.

The Rt Hon. David Willetts (pictured) was Universities and Science Minister in the Coalition Government and will be giving the inaugural lecture in our brand new Chancellor’s lecture series.

David Willetts has a long history of supporting the UK science economy, with his distinguished Parliamentary career seeing him serving as first the Shadow Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills and then as part of the Coalition Government’s cabinet as minister for Universities and Science.

The new lecture series has been set up by University Chancellor the Rt Hon Lord Grocott to bring distinguished speakers to the University and offer people the chance to see them for free.

Lord Grocott said: “I am very pleased that the inaugural lecture in this series is to be delivered by a former Parliamentarian and whose distinguished career included four years as Minister for Universities and Science.

“David is no stranger to the University- he opened a hi-tech space research facility in our Department of Physics and Astronomy in 2011 and he has praised the work of the University – including the discovery of Richard III and our path-breaking partnerships with institutions in Kurdistan.”

This free public lecture is entitled 'The Future of the UK Science Innovation System' and takes place on 11 June at 6pm in the Peter Williams Lecture Theatre. Free parking is available via the University Visitors’ Entrance on University Road. Please email externalrelations@le.ac.uk to register your attendance.