Past Recipients
Tommaso Treu
Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy
What Is the Universe Made Of?
On April 24, 2026, UCLA Distinguished Professor Tommaso Treu presented his lecture "What is the Universe Made Of?" In this talk, he described how observations of the cosmos have helped reveal the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy.
Peter Lunenfeld
Professor of Design Media Arts
Future Street: Los Angeles in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
On October 31, 2025, UCLA Professor Peter Lunenfeld presented his lecture "Future Street: Los Angeles in the Era of Artificial Intelligence." In his talk, Peter Lunenfeld, a media theorist turned urban storyteller, weaved his research on the cultural impact of artificial intelligence into a connectionist narrative about LA's beguiling complexities.
Nomination Guidelines
Nominated and selected by peers, the distinguished recipients of the Faculty Research Lecture awards are exemplary of UCLA’s commitment to research excellence. The lecture format of this honor provides the recipients a platform to share their scholarship broadly with faculty, students, and the UCLA community and is a recognition of the importance of the wide dissemination of knowledge generated by UCLA faculty.
Previously administered by the Academic Senate, the Faculty Research Lecture is now a program of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research & Creative Activities (ORCA).