We explain the world
Anna Machin, who is a world-renowned evolutionary anthropologist, has been researching love for years. In her publications, including the book "Why We Love," she attempts to answer the question of where love comes from and why it is so fundamental to humans. In her work, Machin demonstrates that love is not an "emotional luxury," is not simply a matter of brain chemistry, and is not solely a cultural construct. The author analyses love not as an abstract romantic feeling, but as a biological, evolutionary and social phenomenon, deeply rooted in the history of the human species.
"To Love Doesn't Always Mean the Same"
Can love have many faces? According to the author: absolutely. We are talking about romantic love, parental love, friendship love and communal love. We are talking about the affection between a parent and a child, a caregiver and an animal, two people caring for each other, even without a romantic basis.
During her presentation as part of the Rector's Lecture series, Dr Anna Machin will focus on romantic love and the neurobiology that generates it. On 5 March of the current year, she will present scientific arguments explaining one of the world's oldest and most complex phenomena.
We all experience it, in different dimensions, so we have some bad news for you: the capacity for love is linked to a susceptibility to suffering. The pain of loss or rejection is the "cost" of a mechanism that has been evolutionarily profitable. On the other hand, what would our culture be without the stories of "Romeo and Juliet" or "My heart will go on"?
- When: 5 March 2026 r. (Thursday), 3:30 p.m.,
- Where: Faculty of philology, University of Lodz, Pomorska 171/173, Łódź, Assembly Hall A3
- How to register: Registration form (limited number of places, availability is determined on a first come, first served basis, will be available until 27 February of the current year)
"The Neuroscience of Love"
Ever wondered what love actually is? Why you experience love the way you do? What actually happens in your brain and body when you fall in love? In this lecture pioneering love scientist Dr Anna Machin introduces the audience to the neurochemical cocktail that motivates and rewards us for falling in love, what happens in your brain when you are attracted to someone, how your genes and attachment impact your individual experience of love and where love might take us in the future with the advent of love drugs and AI. We all experience love, time to learn the science behind it.
Anna Machin
Dr Anna Machin is an evolutionary anthropologist, a writer and a science populariser, a world-class expert in the study of close interpersonal relationships and love. For over 12 years, she was associated with the University of Oxford, where she conducted research on fatherhood and the genetic and neurobiological foundations of love as part of Prof. Robin Dunbar's Social and Evolutionary Neuroscience Research Group. She is a pioneer in fatherhood research, combining biological and social perspectives. The author of the books Life of Dad (2018) and Why We Love (2022), she has cooperated with the BBC, NPR, Arte and ZDF, among others. She is currently researching the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of human relationships.
What are the Rector's Lectures?
The Rector's Lectures are one of those traditions at the University of Lodz that serve as a reminder of the true strength of the community. They are attended by individuals who inspire –not only with their knowledge and achievements, but also with their way of seeing the world. Their voices are important because they bring experience, passion and the courage to speak out on issues that concern us all.
The University of Lodz has been inviting distinguished guests to this series for over a decade. We have hosted Nobel Prize winners, individuals holding the highest state and diplomatic positions, researchers and opinion leaders. They share their knowledge, experience and values. Thanks to their presentations, the Rector's Lectures have become an important part of Lodz's intellectual life – a platform that connects generations, communities and diverse perspectives.
More information about the Rector’s Lectures that have been held so far
Source: The University of Lodz Rector’s Office, Centre for Brand Communications, University of Lodz
Edit: Press Office, University of Lodz
