UCL Bentham and Beyond: Learning through Genomes, Collections and Collaborations

This in-person Lunch Hour Lecture at UCL explores ancient DNA research and how it is changing what we can learn from the past. Dr Lucy van Dorp will discuss how DNA can be recovered from archaeological remains, museum collections and historical objects, including UCL’s famous auto-icon of Jeremy Bentham.

The lecture explains how genetic data can reveal new insights into human history, disease, migration and evolution, and highlights the importance of collaboration and data sharing in modern research. The event is part of UCL’s bicentennial celebrations and is open to all, offering an accessible lunchtime introduction to an interdisciplinary field that connects genomics, history and the humanities.