Watch the inaugural Lisa Jardine lecture

A recording of the inaugural Lisa Jardine Lecture, delivered by College alum and author of The Silk Roads, Professor Peter Frankopan (1990), is now available to watch. 

Delivered on 27 November 2017, ‘Unworldly goods: the roots of consumerism and the Renaissance’ reflected on Lisa Jardine's book Worldly Goods: A New History of the Renaissance (1996) - which has done much to shape views of the early modern world - and how her extraordinary vision of an inter-connected world provides a series of new avenues to explore in the future.

Lisa Jardine (1944-2015) became Jesus College's first woman Fellow in 1976. She made a huge contribution across a wide area as a Professor of Renaissance Studies, author, broadcaster, Chair of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Agency and more. 

Professor Frankopan studied history at Jesus College and was Foundation Scholar, Schiff Scholar and won the History Prize in 1993. He is Professor of Global History at Oxford University, and a Senior Research Fellow at Worcester College, Oxford. He works on the history of trade, religion, ideas and culture with a focus on the Silk Roads - past, present and future. His internationally bestselling book The Silk Roads: a New History of the World, was published in 2015.

Opening the lecture, Professor Frankopan spoke about his relationship with Lisa Jardine, during his time at Jesus College and beyond: "I am incredibly honoured to be here and very humbled. Lisa was the model of what a good scholar should be: accurate, detailed, procative but also interested in sharing ideas. The best compliment that I could ever be paid is to come here and give a lecture in Lisa's name and honour."

John Hare, Lisa's husband, said: "I am incredibly grateful to the College for deciding to honour her in this way. It is so heartening to know that her memory is being kept alive by the College that had been so important in developing her career and where she had so many lifelong friends. Lisa very much admired Peter's work, and I know she would have loved to be there herself."

Professor Ian White, Master of Jesus College, said: “We were delighted to have welcomed Professor Frankopan back to Jesus College to deliver his fascinating and timely lecture on global economics. It is fitting that the first Lisa Jardine lecture should be delivered by a fellow Jesuan whose work resonates so closely with hers. She was an influential and dynamic intellectual and played a most important role as the first female Fellow of the College. I am delighted that her memory is being so successfully celebrated.”