Uncovering Hidden Stories: An Academic Videographer’s Journey into Robert Grosseteste at Durham University
As an academic videographer based in the North East, I’m always drawn to projects that reveal how history, science, and human curiosity come together in unexpected ways.
In 2014, I filmed a fascinating public event at Durham University that perfectly embodies this spirit—a gathering dedicated to exploring the medieval writings of Robert Grosseteste, one of England’s most remarkable thinkers.
This event was part of the national Being Human Festival and driven by the Ordered Universe Project, a unique collaboration of humanities scholars and scientists. Together, they aim to unlock Grosseteste’s Latin texts on natural phenomena and bring new insights to both scientific research and the arts.
Filming this event at Durham University was a reminder of why I’m passionate about working as an academic videographer. It allowed me to capture not just an event, but a vibrant story about how scholars from very different disciplines come together to illuminate the past and inspire new knowledge.
Robert Grosseteste, who lived roughly between 1215 and 1235, was much more than a bishop and theologian. He was a scientist, philosopher, and political thinker whose curiosity drove him to explain the natural world in ways that still spark interest today.
The event took place in Prior’s Hall, a beautiful part of Durham Cathedral’s historic complex. There, scholars and the public gathered for commemorative readings of Grosseteste’s texts. What stood out to me as an academic videographer was the lively exchange of ideas. Scientists and humanities scholars who, in the early days of the project, might have sat on opposite sides of the table, now worked closely together, questioning, translating, and interpreting Grosseteste’s writings as a shared endeavour.
It was clear that translating medieval Latin is about far more than words. It’s about interpreting Grosseteste’s scientific logic, placing it in historical and cultural context, and discovering how his ideas might still be relevant today. One speaker emphasised that it’s not simply the humanities translating and scientists explaining. Instead, both groups collaborate fully, creating a more complete and nuanced understanding of Grosseteste’s work.
What I found inspiring as both a filmmaker and someone passionate about community stories is how this interdisciplinary approach shows that science and the humanities don’t need to exist in separate worlds. In Grosseteste’s time, they certainly weren’t separate. He believed that exploring natural phenomena and seeking spiritual understanding were parts of the same quest to know how the world works.
The event featured engaging demonstrations led by physicist Brian Tanner, who extracted experimental ideas from Grosseteste’s writings. Using lenses, mirrors, glass blocks and simple props, participants investigated medieval concepts like refraction and parallax. Filming these experiments was fascinating because they removed the assumptions of modern science, allowing everyone—from experts to newcomers—to explore these concepts on equal terms.
Another highlight was the role of public engagement. Audience members weren’t just observers—they actively contributed ideas and questions that influenced the scholars’ research. One particularly insightful question from a member of the public even led to a new footnote in a scholarly edition of Grosseteste’s text. It was a brilliant example of how collaborative, community-led research creates new knowledge.
Throughout the day, a powerful theme kept surfacing: humility in the pursuit of knowledge. Grosseteste’s work reminds us that scientific truths are never final. They’re our best current interpretations, subject to revision as our understanding grows. While modern science has advanced far beyond medieval thought, the core spirit of inquiry and curiosity remains unchanged.
Capturing this event reaffirmed why I love being an academic videographer. My goal is always to tell human stories—stories about how people across disciplines collaborate, challenge assumptions, and open new paths of understanding. The event at Durham University was a perfect example of the kind of creative, collaborative work I’m passionate about documenting, especially here in the North East.
You can see more of my academic films here: https://alanfentiman.co.uk/vimeo-videos/academic-films/
If you’d like to watch more of my work exploring community stories, creative resilience, and diverse subjects across arts, heritage, and the environment, you can explore all my films here.