29 October 2026, 17:30 – 19:00
The Thouless Natural Sciences Lecture | Gambling harms in the UK: speaking science to power
- LocationTrinity Hall Lecture Theatre and online via livestream
- CostFree of charge
- Booking closing dateThursday, 29 October 2026 12:00pm
- Event typeLecture
This is the second Thouless Natural Sciences Lecture, established in honour of alumnus and Nobel prize-winner Professor David Thouless (1952)
We are grateful to Beth Sufian and alumnus James Passamano (1998), whose generosity has made this event and future Thouless Natural Sciences Lectures possible.
Join Trinity Hall Fellow, Professor Henrietta Bowden-Jones, National Advisor on Gambling Harms, as she uses images and anecdotes to bring science to a subject long overshadowed by other addictions.
The arrival of smartphones in 2007 and the proliferation of online betting coincided with a change in the way the country was exposed to gambling, through both sports and advertising, following a loosening of regulatory measures in the same year. Henrietta is Founder and Director of the first NHS clinic to treat gambling disorder, and has witnessed first-hand the harms caused by the ‘casino in your pocket’ of smartphones as people moved away from traditional forms of gambling to online betting.
Since her first clinic, another fourteen have been set up across the country as the prevalence of gambling disorder has now reached a staggering 2.5% of the population, according to the Gambling Commission’s recent statistics. Gambling disorder is finally being addressed with evidence-based treatment, with research and most importantly with a public health approach.
The event will also be available to watch online via livestream.
All are welcome at the drinks reception beforehand.
Programme
17:30-17:45 Drinks reception in the Terrace Room
17:45-19:00 Lecture in the Lecture Theatre
Speaker
Professor Henrietta Bowden-Jones
Professor Henrietta Bowden-Jones OBE DL is a medical doctor and neuroscience researcher working as Consultant Psychiatrist in Addictions.
After her medical degree at Pavia University, Henrietta moved to the UK permanently to study psychiatry and qualified with MRCPsych I and II as well as a CCST in Addictions and a Doctorate in Medicine in the field of Neuroscience from Imperial College.
Having started as an SHO at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital on the Charing Cross Psychiatry Rotation, she went on to the Higher Training as Specialist Registrar on the St Mary’s and Charing Cross Psychiatry Rotation.
Before studying Medicine Henrietta graduated in Social Psychology, obtaining her (BA Hons) at the University of Kent at Canterbury in 1985. The degree in Psychology inspired her to study Medicine, realising Psychology was not evidence based enough for her own approach to studying the mind.
Henrietta is an expert advisor to both Westminster and the House of Lords on matters pertaining to gambling disorder and mental health. She has spent most of her career speaking in Parliament on Gambling disorder, Gaming disorder as well as Online harms and Behavioural Addictions in general. Her regular contributions to both the House of Lords and the House of Commons have brought science and evidence base to the rapidly expanding area of preventing gambling harms.
Booking and cost
There is no charge to attend, however, booking is required.
Spaces to attend in person are available on a first come, first served basis.
This is a hybrid event. You can book to attend in-person or online using the booking links.
Please note that the booking deadline is 12:00 on Thursday 29 October.
If you are joining us online, you will receive an email by 16:00 on Thursday 29 October with a link and joining instructions.
The livestream will begin at 17:45.
Photography
We like to take photographs at our alumni events to use in our digital and print communications. If you do not wish to have your photo taken, please let us know in advance or on the day.
Location
The Lecture Theatre, Trinity Hall, Trinity Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1TJ.
Please visit the Porters’ Lodge on arrival where they will direct you to the venue.
Cancellations
Please let us know as soon as possible if you find you are no longer able to attend in person, as we have limited capacity for this event. Please email the office or call +44 (0)1223 332567 at the earliest opportunity.
Contact
If you have any queries, please contact Liz Pentlow on alumnievents@trinhall.cam.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1223 332567. If you have any questions about events in general, please see our event FAQs.
THwomen50
This event is part of THwomen50. From October 2026 to June 2028, we are marking the 50th anniversary of the admission of women to the College with a series of events, lectures and stories celebrating our community and the people who have shaped it. Find out more about the anniversary on the website.