Winter Lecture Series 2026

The James Webb Space Telescope has been in operation for over 3 years already while its predecessor, the Hubble Space Telescope, has continued its mission for over 35 years. Together, they probe our cosmos in colours spanning from the ultraviolet to the visible to the infrared.

We will explore how each telescope works and how they both play an essential role in bringing us discoveries ranging from Solar System objects to alien world to distant galaxies. We will also explore what the next generation of space telescopes, namely the Canadian-led CASTOR Mission and the Habitable Worlds Observatory, promise to deliver in the coming decades.

The Nobel laureates in Economics this year have written about the way innovation can build the economy and how investment in innovation can fuel the economy. In Canada and in the Niagara Region as well, we have many examples of the ways innovation works and the people who are driving positive change in many fields.

We will look at some examples and ways we can harness the creative energy we possess and which has enabled Canada to meet the challenges of the past and will make it possible to achieve great success in the future.

Shifting geopolitics, regional conflicts, climate change, and technology shocks are just some of the factors that will make the twenty-first century dangerous for Canada. Adaptability, the capacity to anticipate and manage dangers, is essential for the country to survive and thrive. But Canada is not as adaptable as it once was.

Dr. Roberts will explain what this vital ability means and why we are currently falling short. Politicians, he argues, are overloaded and fixated on the next election. Governments no longer launch big projects to think about the future. Leaders have stopped meeting regularly to discuss national priorities.

Technological changes have undermined journalism and the ability of citizens to talk civilly about public affairs. The public service has become less agile because of a decades-long buildup of controls and watchdogs. While in many ways Canada is a better country than it was a generation ago, it is also more complex and harder to govern.

Dr. Roberts will also outline straightforward reforms to improve adaptability and remind us about the bigger picture: in a turbulent world, authoritarian rule is a tempting path to security. Canada’s challenge is to show how political systems built to respect diversity and human rights can also respond nimbly to existential threats.

Catherine will look at the astonishing changes in the world of Chinese Art in the past 50 years. With the emergence of China on the world stage, private collectors have become a global force. She has been engaged in this field for over half a century, initially being trained in North America and then Asia, where she lived for 40 years. She has witnessed first-hand the burgeoning art market, the emergence of private museums in China, and the increased international interest in and understanding of Chinese art.

To illustrate this talk, Catherine will introduce magnificent examples of Chinese ceramics, jade, paintings, textiles and furniture.

Why is sleep so important? Does meditation really work? How can physical exercise or getting out into nature boost memory and attention?

With his focus on practical research-based strategies for enhancing brain function, promoting healthy choices, and maintaining emotional balance, Dr. Fenske will help you learn how to best develop and care for your brain.