A MAJOR new lecture series is to be inaugurated at Southampton University this month, when the first IBM Hursley Lecture takes place at Highfield campus.

The first lecture in the series, sponsored by IBM UK Labora-tories at Hursley Park, will be given by Dr John Taylor, Director-General of the UK Research Councils, who will speak on E-Science and Information Utilities: Research in Europe.

The university and IBM have had a long-standing and productive relationship over many years, involving research and teaching links with many university depar-tments.

Dr Taylor's lecture will focus on the new phenomenon of e-science increasingly carried out through international collaborations made possible by the internet.

The first IBM Hursley Lecture will take place in the Turner Sims Concert Hall at 6pm, next Wednesday. All are welcome to attend. No tickets are required.