12-01-2025
Dame Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock photographed at the Royal Institution. Credit Paul Wilkinson Photography.
Dec., 1, 2025 – Viasat is proud to support this year’s Royal Institution CHRISTMAS LECTURES®, the world’s longest-running scientific series for children that makes science interesting, exciting and accessible for families internationally.
To mark the 200th anniversary of the CHRISTMAS LECTURES, the 2025 theme will take the audience on an amazing voyage through ‘Space’, with live scientific exploration and demonstrations led by celebrated space scientist, educator and BBC Sky at Night presenter Dame Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock.
Topics covered will start from the very beginning of time with ancient skywatchers, to the recent development of the world’s most powerful time-travelling telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope. From missions to Mars and preparations to return humans to the Moon for the first time since 1972, to charting humanity’s eternal search for answers about the universe and life beyond Earth.
The CHRISTMAS LECTURES will be filmed at the Royal Institution’s Theatre in London in mid-December, in front of a live audience of young people aged 11-17. If you haven’t managed to secure a ticket don’t worry, as all lectures will be screened in late December on BBC Four and iPlayer for UK audiences, and subsequently shared on the Royal Institution’s YouTube channel for international audiences.
“We are excited to support this year’s CHRISTMAS LECTURES which take a deep dive into a topic very close to our hearts here at Viasat – Space,” said Tory See, Viasat Senior Director, Sustainability & ESG.
“Encouraging young people to take an active interest in STEM subjects is foundational to Viasat’s Social Impact work and we are delighted to have the opportunity to promote the work of the Royal Institution in engaging young minds and fostering curiosity in not just our world, but the universe beyond.”
The Royal Institution has been a keen advocate of our Viasat: Space for Good global STEM innovation program for two consecutive years, with Katherine Mathieson, Director of the Royal Institution being an invaluable member of the judging panel. The program supports the next generation of engineers, artists, space lovers and scientists by encouraging creative ideas for a safe and sustainable space sector.
To find out more about this year’s CHRISTMAS LECTURES, which includes a line-up of special guests, such as astronauts and history-making astronomers, visit the Royal Institution website.
The Royal Institution’s (Ri) vision is that science is for everyone. Science transforms lives and underpins the modern world – from health to the latest technology, the environment, and the furthest reaches of our universe. Science is part of culture, but not everyone has the same opportunity to engage. The Ri believes there should be equitable access to science, and that people’s desire to engage with science and scientists should be nourished.
The Ri brings the public and scientists together to share their interest and passion for science, empowering people to explore and get involved.
An independent registered charity, the Ri provides science education, public engagement, and heritage activities for people of all ages and backgrounds across the UK and around the world. These activities include the world-famous CHRISTMAS LECTURES; public talks from the world's greatest thinkers in its historic lecture theatre and livestreamed online; a successful YouTube channel with nearly 1.7 million subscribers, a national programme of Ri Masterclasses for young people in mathematics and computer science; hands-on science workshops in its Urenco Young Scientist Centre; award winning animations and films; and the preservation of its scientific heritage and legacy through the Faraday Museum and archival collections.