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As ever, the lectures, organised by Darwin College, will be delivered by academics, politicians and journalists from all over the world who are all highly regarded in their respective fields.

̽��ֱ��free talks will be open to the public and will cover a broad range of issues, demonstrating how serendipity can affect disciplines from science and the study of disease through to classics and anthropology.

̽��ֱ��series will open this Friday (18 January) with a lecture from Professor Andy Fabian, Vice-Master of the College, about the impact serendipity has had on the study of astronomy and our knowledge of space.

Other speakers will focus on the effect of serendipitous discoveries in other areas. Simon Winchester, the geologist and a former foreign correspondent for ̽��ֱ��Guardian, will be talking about how serendipitous events led him from his early academic career to a more conspicuous and successful life in writing. His many books include “ ̽��ֱ��Map That Changed ̽��ֱ��World” – a biography of the geologist William Smith.

MP Oliver Letwin will also be giving a lecture, discussing the impact of serendipity on the workings of government. As he puts it: “ ̽��ֱ��interesting question is whether politicians themselves have any capacity to increase the likelihood of serendipitous occurrences”. Mr Letwin's lecture will be informed by his political career as MP for West Dorset and an ex-member of the Government's Policy Unit.

̽��ֱ��Darwin series started in 1986 and consists of eight public lectures which aim to present complex ideas in an easy to understand manner.

̽��ֱ��lectures will be held for eight consecutive Fridays, starting on 18 January. Each lecture will start at 5.30pm in the Lady Mitchell Hall, Sidgwick Avenue. People wishing to attend are advised to arrive early to be sure of a place as the lectures are very popular.