The lecture can be on any subject dealing with fantasy, science fiction, horror, or related speculative genres.
[1] The Pembroke College Middle Common Room announced the series in 2012,[2] and the first lecture was delivered on 18 January 2013 by fantasy writer Kij Johnson.
On 16 May 2020, in lieu of a lecture, past speakers Kij Johnson, Adam Roberts, Lev Grossman, Terri Windling, and Victoria 'V.E.'
The organizers invited donations to the Society of Authors' emergency fund to support British writers whose livelihoods had been affected by the pandemic.
Science Fiction critic, writer, and publisher Cheryl Morgan regularly blogs about the lecture series on her website.