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ANTIQUITY TO ABSTRACTION. An exhibition of Lancaster University's art collection will be shown at the Peter Scott Gallery until December 1 (Monday to Friday: 12pm to 5pm; Thursday 12pm to 5pm and 6pm to 8.30pm). Sections in the exhibition include: printmaking (including engravings by Durer and Stanley William Hayter); the natural world (work by artists from China, Japan, France and Britain); Chinese and Japanese art; and calligraphy and the history of writing. Information: Mary Gavagan or Hannah Falloon, Peter Scott Gallery, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW. Tel: 01524 593057.

GALAXY EVOLUTION

Dr Alan Dressler from the Observatories of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, California, will give the Grubb Parsons lecture, "Galaxy Evolution: A Journey through Space and Time" on November 8 at 5.15pm in the Scarborough lecture theatre, University of Durham science labs, Stockton Road. Information: public relations office, University of Durham, Old Shire Hall, Durham. Tel: 0191-374 2947.

REFUGEE COMMUNITIES

The Action with Refugee Communities seminar, organised by the Scottish Community Development Centre in association with the Scottish Refugee Council, will take place on November 17 at Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery in Glasgow. Speakers include Amnesty International and the Medical Foundation for Victims of Torture, and a refugee . Information: Stuart Hashagen, director, Scottish Community Development Centre, tel: 0141-248 1924; Elizabeth George, CDF head of communications, tel: 0171-226 5375.

CHILDREN AND CRIME

The University of Hertfordshire will hold a conference entitled "Does Society Need the Family? - Parenting, Children and Crime" on November 24. The conference will consider the effects of social and demographic changes, poverty, inequality and unemployment on households and childrearing. Information: Penny Woolley, Division of Social Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, College Lane, Hatfield. Tel: 01707 284416.

SHAGGY DOG STORIES

"Shaggy Dog Stories, Classical Narrative and American Film" is a seminar by Elizabeth Cowie, University of Kent, organised by the Institute of United States Studies at the University of London on November 29, It is one of a series held at 5pm in Senate House, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU. Information, Anna Brooke, tel: 0171-636 8000 ext 5100.