IEEE UK & Ireland Section Annual Christmas Lecture Review | Story-telling in the History of Computing by Dr Doron Swade

The IEEE UK and Ireland Section traditional Christmas Lecture took place on 9th December at the iconic Regent Street Cinema at the University of Westminster.  This year we had the honour of Dr Doron Swade giving a lecture on “Story-telling in the History of Computing”.  This was a hybrid event, allowing the option of either attendance in-person or remotely via Zoom.

Doron Swade is an engineer, historian, and museum professional. He was Curator of Computing for many years at the Science Museum, London, and later Assistant Director & Head of Collections. He is a leading authority of the life and work of Charles Babbage and is responsible for the successful construction of Charles Babbage’s Difference Engine No. 2 built to original nineteenth-century designs.

He is an Honorary Fellow of the British Computer Society, and of Royal Holloway University of London. He was awarded an MBE in 2009 for services to the history of computing.

Following the Christmas Lecture, Section Chair Dr Mona Ghassemian gave a summary of a very successful year for the Section, and along with Treasurer Mathew Gream, presented a number of awards to volunteers for their service and dedication during the last 12 months.

The Regent Street Cinema has been the home for our section Christmas events for the past 5 years. The past events are listed at 2020 (virtual), 2019, 2018, and 2017.

Below is a selection of photographs from the event.