MCLL Spring Lecture Program
We offer a program of lectures both online and on campus, presented by MCLL members, other lifelong learning centers and faculty members who share their research on a variety of topics. The fee is $10 per lecture, and does not include MCLL membership benefits.
Spring Term Duration: April 17 - June 12, 2026
Spring Registration is now open.
💡 New!
MCLL On the Road brings signature lectures to Montreal's seniors’ residences, retirement clubs, and independent-living apartment buildings.
⚠️ Important
To register for a lecture you'll need your McGill Athena login name and password, so keep them handy. If you forget or don't yet have them, get them now at the Athena Login Page.
Useful Links
Useful Notes
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Maximum in-person attendance is 17 unless otherwise specified.
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Registration closes at midnight two days before the lecture date. The Zoom link for online lectures will be sent to attendees the previous day.
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In case of technical problems, an emergency, or an illness, a refund is available through your Athena account until one day after the lecture.
📍Location
All on-campus lectures take place on the second floor of
MCLL Spring 2026 Lectures |
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YCLML 1015 [AI]tuning Into the Current State
Time: Friday, June 5, 10:00 a.m.
Presenter: Michael Moore
Attendance: Online
1995: In my initial involvement, I used artificial intelligence (AI) in simulations and in 3D spatial “walkthroughs”. Fast forward to 2025: I probed and practised the constructive use of AI in writing research; at the same time, as an educator, I was concerned about AI confusion. This lecture will provide a comparative review of state-of-the-art of current AI delivery vehicles and provide an update of what might come next. I will present visual examples of a variety of AI applications and challenges.
YCLML 1016 The Bayeux Tapestry - Survival!
Time: Friday, June 5, 1:00 p.m.
Presenter: Alana Gowdy
Attendance: Online
Created after the 1066 Battle of Hastings, the Bayeux Tapestry has survived nearly a thousand years, enduring war, political upheaval, and the many hazards of history. This remarkable artifact remains one of our greatest cultural treasures. In 2026, it will once again draw international attention when France lends it to the British Museum — its first return to England since the 11th century. Join us to explore the tapestry’s extraordinary survival and the long, improbable journey that brought it to the present day.
YCMS 1017 The Genesis Paradox
Time: Friday, June 5, 1:00 p.m.
Presenter: Jean-Denis Gingras and Philip Ehrensaft
Attendance: Online
The Genesis Paradox consists of balancing the immense promise of the biotech revolution with existential risks. Biotech simultaneously creates something wonderful but also inherent contradictions and dangers. Plus, biotech is inherently dual use: civilian benefits, and high impact military applications.
YCLML 1018 Years from Hell: Montreal 1848-1853
Time: Friday, June 12, 10:00 a.m.
Presenter: Robert N. Wilkins
Attendance: In person
From the burning of the Canadian Parliament Buildings in Youville Square, to the ominous threat of annexation to the USA, to the violent municipal election madness of 1851, to the Great Fire of July 1852 that lamentably destroyed nearly a quarter of the town, to the bloody Gavazzi Riot of 1853, this five-year period dramatically pushed Montreal to the breaking point. Not to be missed!!
