In recognition of a lifetime’s contribution across the mathematical sciences, we are initiating a series of annual Public Lectures in honour of Roger Penrose. The first lecture will be given by his long-time collaborator and friend Stephen Hawking.

Stephen Hawking is the former Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge and now the Dennis Stanton Avery and Sally Tsui Wong-Avery Director of Research at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics and Founder of the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology at Cambridge.

I am pleased to say that registration for the Inaugural Roger Penrose Lecture by Stephen Hawking on 18 January (5pm) will open at 10am on 4th January 2017. A number of places have been allocated to different groups. These places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. You are limited to one place per person (and four per school). Please follow the instructions below:

• Email external-relations@maths.ox.ac.uk to register

• When registering please give your name and affiliation – your position, department & organisation/institution as appropriate. Or if you are a member of the General Public, please say so

• You will receive a confirmation email and will be checked off on arrival on the day from a list. The email is not transferable. Please also bring ID.

• You will only receive confirmation if you have been successful in getting a ticket, or if we have placed you on the waiting list. If you do not receive confirmation, you do not have a place.

• Please do not register earlier than the set time. Such emails will be disregarded.

Apologies for being so rigid, but, as you can imagine, demand is huge. The lecture will be podcasted live. See www.maths.ox.ac.uk for more details.