The Watson Lectures
For more than 100 years, the Watson Lectures have brought the wonder of Caltech research and discovery to the public.
Caltech welcomes you to the Watsons, an engaging lecture series in the historic Beckman Auditorium, where you will hear from scholars, scientists, and engineers on the forefront of discovery who are expanding knowledge, tackling society's most pressing challenges, and inventing the technologies of the future.
Free and open to the public, the Earnest C. Watson Lecture Series offers a unique and accessible opportunity to learn more about cutting-edge science directly from Caltech's premier researchers. Come early to mingle with your neighbors over food, drink and music, as well as interactive displays related to the evening's topic. Then head inside to hear a stimulating talk and stay to ask your burning questions.
Upcoming Lectures
Register now or learn more about the habitability of Mars as revealed by the 13-year journey of the Curiosity rover with Ashwin Vasavada, project scientist, Mars Science Laboratory, JPL.
Register now or learn more about Caltech's role in addressing environmental lead pollution, both historically and following the 2025 LA fires with Francois Tissot, professor of geochemistry; Heritage Medical Research Institute Investigator.
Register now or learn more about how batteries work and their place in our energy landscape with Kimberly See, professor of chemistry.
Register now or learn more about how physics and AI are working together to illuminate the hidden universe with Katie Bouman, associate professor of computing and mathematical sciences, electrical engineering and astronomy; Rosenberg Scholar; Heritage Medical Research Institute Investigator
Register now or learn more about the gut microbiome-brain connection in neurodegenerative disease with Sarkis Mazmanian, Luis B. and Nelly Soux professor of microbiology; Merkin Institute Professor.
Register now or learn more about how people make decisions–and mistakes–with Kirby Nielsen, professor of economics; William H. Hurt Scholar.
Join a Community of Curiosity
Come Early to Mingle
Each Watson Lecture offers you the chance to socialize with fellow science-lovers and preview the night's topic at the signature preshow.
Explore Past Lectures
Enjoy each Watson Lecture and previews for future Watson Lectures on Caltech's YouTube channel.
A Legacy of Sharing Science with the Community
The Earnest C. Watson Lecture Series began in 1922. Originally known as the "Friday Evening Demonstration Lectures," the series was started by Earnest C. Watson, a professor of physics at Caltech from 1919 to 1959, in order to share modern scientific advances with the public and foster a greater appreciation for the impact of fundamental research. For the talks, Watson would stand in front of a packed lecture hall to deliver his famed "liquid-air" demonstration, in which he would open a bottle of air that had been cooled to minus 300 degrees Fahrenheit, and the contents would appear to "boil" out of the bottle and engulf Watson in white fumes. While Watson's famed demonstrations would no longer meet current safety guidelines, the spirit of his talks and his interest in inspiring an appreciation and understanding of science remains and has motivated generations of faculty to share the details of their work.
Eventually renamed in his honor, the Watson Lectures continue to spotlight pathbreaking Caltech research.