Bernal Lecture 2025 to explore the radical legacy of Alan Mackay
Birkbeck’s annual Bernal lecture honours the pioneering spirit of JD Bernal, and this year shines a light on one of his most remarkable protégés.
The 2025 Bernal Lecture will be held under the title “The Harvest of an Eclectic Mind: Alan Mackay and the Rewriting of the Book of Crystallography.” The lecture celebrates the life and work of Alan Mackay, an independent thinker whose bold ideas helped reshape modern crystallography.
Mackay, who joined JD Bernal’s lab at Birkbeck more than 75 years ago, was known for questioning scientific conventions and pushing the boundaries of structural science. His research on quasicrystals - structures that challenged accepted theories of symmetry and crystallography - later became the basis for a Nobel Prize-winning discovery.
The 2025 lecture will be delivered by Professor John Finney, a former Birkbeck student and close colleague of both Bernal and Mackay. Drawing on personal experience, Professor Finney will explore the unique intellectual environment of Bernal’s laboratory, a space where collaboration, curiosity and radical ideas thrived.
Established in 1968, the Bernal Lecture commemorates JD Bernal (1901–1971), former Professor of Physics and Chair of Crystallography at Birkbeck. A pioneer in X-ray crystallography, Bernal was also known for his interest in the social impact of science and his leadership during the Second World War. His legacy lives on through this annual event, which returned in 2024 after a pandemic-related pause.
Katherine Thompson, from Birkbeck’s Faculty of Science commented:
“Scientific research for the benefit of society is at the heart of Birkbeck, and the Bernal Lecture is always a highlight of our year. This time it is especially meaningful, as we commemorate the life, ideas, and legacy of two remarkable scientists: JD Bernal and Alan Mackay. The lecture will be delivered by John Finney, a former Birkbeck PhD student who knew and worked with both men. John went on to serve as Chief Scientist at the national neutron facility ISIS before becoming Quain Professor of Physics at UCL. We look forward to what promises to be a fascinating and thought-provoking evening.”
The lecture will be taking place on 23 September, 16:00 - 19:00, at Birkbeck Clore Management Centre. The event is open to the public, with all encouraged to attend.