The James Watt Lecture

This year’s James Watt Lecture is delivered by Professor Morgan Kelly (UCD), presenting new research on the mechanics of the Industrial Revolution drawn from work for a forthcoming book co-authored with Joel Mokyr and Cormac Ó Gráda. The lecture revisits the world of Watt to explore how invention, knowledge, and economic change interacted — and why this history still matters for understanding innovation today. Join us in person for an evening of insight and discussion. Following the lecture, please join us for a drinks reception.

The event is run in conjunction with the Consulate General of Ireland, Edinburgh.

Please note that due to the intimate nature of Panmure House, tickets are limited

Morgan Kelly is Professor of Economics at University College Dublin, where his research focuses on long-run economic change, innovation, and the historical dynamics of major economic transformations. He is widely published in economic history and economic growth, exploring topics such as the role of science, technology, and practical knowledge in major structural shifts like the Industrial Revolution. His work seeks to integrate empirical evidence with historical theory to deepen understanding of how technological change shapes economic development.