The Christmas Lecture presented by the College of Science aims to inspire general audiences from age 5 to 105 with the curiosity and wonder of scientific inquiry. Modeled after the Royal Institution’s Christmas Lecture series, the College of Science invites a world-renowned scientist to Notre Dame to present a talk using the Faraday method of showing or demonstrating science, making complex scientific concepts accessible for all audiences.
The 2026 Christmas Lecture
Saturday, December 12 | Marcus du Sautoy: Around the World in 80 Games
2 – 5 pm at the Century Center, South Bend
All are welcome to attend the fifth annual Christmas Lecture with Marcus du Sautoy, the Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science at the University of Oxford, at the Century Center in Downtown South Bend.
Join Marcus as he takes us on a mathematical journey across the centuries and through countries, continents and cultures in search of the games we love to play. He will explain how mathematics has always been deeply intertwined with games and investigates how games themselves can provide us with opportunities for mathematical insight into the world.
After the talk, enjoy festive refreshments and interactive, family friendly science demos.
The Christmas Lecture presented by the College of Science aims to inspire in general audiences from age 5 to 105 the curiosity and wonder of scientific inquiry. Modeled after the Royal Institution’s Christmas Lecture series, the College of Science invites a world-renowned scientist to Notre Dame to present a series of lectures for all audiences.
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View past Christmas Lectures:
2025 | Dr. Tatiana Erukhimova, Texas A&M University
2024 | Dr. Michelle Thaller, NASA
2023 | Dr. Kate Biberdorf, University of Texas at Austin
2022 | Dr. Jordan Ellenberg, University of Wisconsin at Madison
2021 | Dr. Greg Gage, Backyard Brains and the University of Michigan