For the past few years, I’ve posted three lectures over the Christmas period that I think provide an interesting commentary on key issues of our time. The Royal Society Christmas lectures inspired the tradition, which began with Michael Faraday in 1825.

In the last five years, work life has changed dramatically. The Covid-19 pandemic led to a surge in remote work, changing how many people do their jobs. At the same time, generative AI is set to transform the labor market, potentially changing industries and the nature of work itself.

Arguably the biggest change of all, however, will come from climate change. When extreme floods, wildfires, or droughts hit a region, the labor market in that area will naturally be affected. For instance, if unusually dry weather ruins a local crop, farm employees may be forced to find new jobs.

The first lecture explores the critical intersection of climate change and migration and features Potsdam’s Kira Vinke and Nobel Prize laureate Stephen Chu.