It’s About Time!
a public lecture by
Professor Don Kurtz
the University of Lincoln, UK
Friday, 7 March 2025,
6:00-7:40 pm
(including an interval and Q&A)
Newton Lecture Theatre INB0114 in the Isaac Newton building, University of Lincoln
Book a place
Days, Weeks, Months, Years and more: Hear about Roman Emperors, Zulu Wars, Rider Haggard, Thomas Hardy, the English time riots, and how the days of the week got their names in an amusing and informative tour of the Western calendar.
Sponsored by*
Don Kurtz was born in San Diego, California, to an American father and Canadian mother. He obtained a BA in astronomy from San Diego State University in 1970, and his PhD from the University of Texas at Austin in 1976. He was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship for one year at the University of Cape Town (UCT) starting in February 1977. That one year stretched to 24 years, by which time he was a Professor of Astronomy and Life Fellow of UCT. After a short spell at the Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées in Toulouse, France, in 2000, Don moved to the UK, where he was Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), UK, from 2001 until 2020; he is now Emeritus Professor at UCLan. Don was appointed Extraordinary Professor at North-West University (NWU) from 2020 and was awarded an A1 rating by the South African National Research Foundation (NRF) in 2021. Don is also an Honorary Professor at the University of Lincoln, UK. He has dual British and American citizenship and divides his professional time between South Africa and the UK.
Don is a past councillor and Vice-President of the Royal Astronomical Society and has served on many international committees. He is frequently invited to speak internationally to both professional astronomers and to the public, typically presenting several dozen talks per year to diverse audiences all over the world on a wide range of topics. He is committed to astronomy in Africa, where he has lectured and done research in South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Uganda and Ethiopia. Don has observed with some of the largest telescopes in the world, has over 2000 nights at the telescope, and over 500 professional publications. He primarily works now with data from the TESS Space Telescopes. He is the discoverer of a class of pulsating, magnetic stars that are the most peculiar stars known. He is also co-author of the 866-page fundamental textbook, “Asteroseismology”, and his primary research interests are in diverse applications of asteroseismology.
Don is a recipient of the Royal Astronomical Society’s 2022 Service Award.
Don is an outdoorsman and has travelled and adventured widely. In addition to his lectures to schools, clubs, summer schools, societies, he regularly lectures at game reserves, on private trains, cruise ships and on outdoor adventure trips.
Don is married to June Kurtz (née Heffer) of Grahamstown (now Makhanda), South Africa. They divide their time between South Africa and the UK, residing most of the year in Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape.
Distinguished Maths & Physics Public Lectures 
Very enjoyable, as always. Thanks Don & Andrei
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great lecture, really informative and fun. Looking forward to the next one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to be back in the lecture theatre, and great to see Don in person, as informative and entertaining as ever. I look forward to more lectures to keep my mind ticking over. Like time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very interesting, accessible and really enjoyable lecture. Many thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s About Time! to be back in the room with Andrei and another insightful lecture from Don Kurtz. It is a much better experience than Zoom when shared directly with others; long may they continue. We were lucky this time to have Don in person and thanks to the IoP for supporting this lecture.
LikeLiked by 1 person
From Steve Berry by email:
“Good evening.
A fascinating lecture as usual by Professor Kurtz. Thought provoking whilst being easy to understand.
Thank you to the IOP for sponsoring the evening.
Steve”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so glad in-person lectures are back after a long break due to COVID! “It’s about Time!” was such in informative talk that explains so many peculiarities of our time keeping and in different cultures. Please keep up this brilliant work bringing the city and University closer together! It is always interesting to learn what local researchers are working on. I will be certainly looking out for a next lecture by the Institute of Physics. Many thanks for your hard work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another first class talk given by Professor Don Kurtz. He has the ability to pitch his lectures at the his audience making them interesting for all. He is willing to answer questions in an encouraging and truthful way. Undoubtedly he is a very knowledgeable academic but always treats his audience quietly as his equals. An exceptional lecturer who leaves his audience wanting more and eager to research further.
An excellent evening and I look forward hearing him again during the forthcoming year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very good lecture with just the right level of detail / depth. Don’s memory is incredible as is his ability to explain to a broad audience. Many thanks to the team for the superb organisation and the free refreshments were very welcome. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
very interesting and enjoyable lecture. Many thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for a very interesting and informative lecture, which was suitable for non-scientists as much as scientists. It’s always fantastic to find an event in Lincoln rather than having to travel further afield. Perhaps a follow-up lecture on the physics aspects of time measurement for next time 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
As a non physicist, always accessible and very enjoyable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very interesting and thought provoking lecture delivered by an outstanding speaker! Excellent Question and Answer session afterwards too! Wonderful event all round – many thanks to all involved for organising such a great lecture!
LikeLiked by 1 person
As mentioned in one of the previous comments, I too was anticipating a lecture on time-space, however the talk was enthralling. My physics education stopped at O level, so I was a long way behind the curve, but it was delivered in such a skillful way that all abilities could understand.
Throughly excellent. I am going to watch the Astro Chat series and hope to attend future lectures and Astro Chats.
Just one question, as a beginner, where do I start?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! You can start from our 1st Astro-Chat and I am sure you will enjoy!
LikeLike
thoroughly enjoyable lecture, Don was both knowledgeable and engaging. This and every other lecture provided by Lincoln Uni have been well received and I’m glad Don took the time to give this one on his way from SA to USA. My only wish was that the volume of the PA system was a bit louder as I’m slightly hard of hearing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Firstly, I agree with Johns’ comment above, that every effort should be made to continue and expand these opportunities to attend live lectures. Regardless of age- I am in my mid seventies- it is always good to have the chance to enrich your knowledge in a real world context.
Yesterday evening was not what I initially expected- I thought it was going to be something more like an exploration of space-time, and how it dilates and warps; but no, it was instead a fascinating history of mans’ attempts to impose a structure onto the clockwork mechanism of the astronomical year. Almost despite myself, I was drawn into the description of various degrees of failure throughout the millennia. Always something to take away from these lectures!
Thank you to all concerned.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in putting on another fantastic evening. Really thought provoking, but a very enjoyable lecture. For you to give your time to this for the public is humbling. Let’s hope it will be possible for more in the future.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Full marks to Prof Zvelindovsky for keeping these public lectures going and hosting Astro Chat. There are so few opportunities for people to experience a live lecture in person from an eminent speaker. I drive 45-50 minutes to these lectures and usually well worth it. I would like to see more challenging topics in physics, Maths, Astronomy, Engineering and the history and philosophy of science. It is a shame that funding for them appears to be hard to come by. Why not make use of the local Lincoln lecturers? Keep it up, Andrei!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent lecture and I look forward to the next. I’d be happy with more technical input if possible. Prof Kurtz is a super communicator and wonderful to see the full audience. Also great to have a Q&A that was as informative and entertaining as the lecture. Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A thoroughly entertaining and interesting evening.
LikeLiked by 1 person