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The timeless appeal of the Blackwell’s soap-box

Indeed, one of the highlights of this and every Oxford Lit Fest - the Blackwell’s 15-minute soap-box talks, staged appropropriately enough in the Blackwell’s Marquee (just beside The Sheldonian). And frankly, what’s not to like? - they’re free, they only last 15 minutes and you get to listen to some of the most brilliant minds in the universe. Plus, you don’t even have to dress for the occasion; scarves, prams, woolly hats and M&S carrier bags are almost de rigueur. And kicking off the lunchtime talk today was Katherine Blundell, Professor of Astrophysics at Oxford University who, very poignantly, chose to unravel the mysteries of Black Holes (paying a very moving tribute to Stephen Hawking by way of introduction). Cool, savvy and clearly passionate about her subject, she took to her soap-box like a duck to water. Entertaining, wry and beautifully delivered, it was all the more so since a snow flurry outside was desperately trying to get in...