Events

Events where you can hear and meet popular science writers are listed below... (if you are looking for a speaker at your venue, check out our details of authors giving talks and interactive events in schools and colleges)

31 August 2010 7.15pm	The Great Cosmic Puzzle	Irish Astronomical Association	Larmor Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, QUB, Belfast
The Astrophysics and Planetary Science Department at QUB and the Irish Astronomical Association are jointly hosting a free double public lecture: admission is by ticket only. These may be obtained from the IAA by emailing iaaastro@gmail.com or dannymcollins@btinternet.com, or alternately from the Astrophysics and Planetary Science Department at Queen's. The two speakers are each world-renowned experts in their fields, and very good speakers, so this is a treat not to be missed! Prof Carlos Frenk, FRS, Director of the Institute for Computational Cosmology, University of Durham, will give a lecture entitled "From the Big Bang to the Universe of Galaxies", and Prof Chris Stubbs, Chair of the Department of Physics at Harvard University, will speak on "The Accelerating Universe: A Crisis for Fundamental Physics". Don't be intimidated by the titles - these lectures will be aimed at a non-specialist public audience. The event will be from 7.15 to 9.00 p.m. Doors open at 6.45.
14 September 2010 7.00pm	The Future of the Brain, the Brain of the Future	Susan Greenfield	G11, Aston University, Birmingham
Join Susan Greenfield to explore how the experiences we have as individuals leave their mark on the connections between our brain cells and shape our minds distinctively. Screen technologies feature in everyday life and are characterised by fast paced visual and auditory stimulation which in turn could activate brain systems that underlie addiction and reward therefore changing future mind-sets. £3 Details on the Festival website.
15 September 2010 7.00pm	There's Science in my Fiction (and Poetry)	Brian Clegg, Tania Hershman, Sue Guiney	The Old Joint Stock Function Room, Birmingham
Popular science author Brian Clegg, and fiction authors with a science twist Tania Hershman and Sue Guiney will be judging an open-mike contest for science inspired stories as part of the British Science Association Festival. Free entry. Details on the Festival website.
16 September 2010 12.00pm	The Story behind 'The New Optimists'	Kate Cooper and Keith Richards	Waterstones, New Street, Birmingham
Publisher Kate Cooper and editor Keith Richards tell the story behind 'The New Optimists': 80 scientists give their reasons for optimism in this "most exhilarating of books" looking to the future on topics ranging from ecosystems to genome sequencing. Free entry. Details on the Festival website.
17 September 2010 10.30am	Making Science News	Ben Goldacre and David Gregory	MB161, Aston University, Birmingham
This hands-on event aims to address the state of science reporting in the British media. With the help of experts in the field, Ben Goldacre of the Guardian and David Gregory of the BBC, you can first analyse some recent examples of how science stories have been reported, and then have a go at creating a news report. Participants should be aged between 15 and 19. £5. Details on the Festival website.
17 September 2010 6.30pm	Bad Medicine	Ben Goldacre	Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham Conservatoire
Ben Goldacre is one of the most prominent science writers in the UK. His weekly 'Bad Science' column in The Guardian and his online blog engage the public with satirical criticism of the inaccuracies and scaremongering which cloud the public's understanding of scientific issues. His book Bad Science has sold more than a quarter of a million copies. £8. Details on the Festival website.
19 September 2010 6.00pm	The Lunar Society and its Relevance to the Modern World	Patricia Fara, Mohamed El-Gomati	MB108, Aston University, Birmingham
Author Patricia Fara, of the Department of the History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Cambridge, provides insights into the Lunar Society's achievements. Mohamed M El-Gomati, Professor at the University of York, and Deputy Chair of the Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisation, will discuss the comparable challenges from the perspective of the Muslim world. £3. Details on the Festival website.
7 October 2010 7.30 pm	Man Booker Debate	Brian Clegg	Johnson Studio, Octagon Theatre, Yeovil
Brian will one of the panelists on the Yeovil Community Arts Association’s debate on the Man Booker shortlist. 7.30pm Johnson Studio, Octagon Theatre, Yeovil. Bookings though Octagon Theatre.
26 October 2010 6.30 pm	Inside Nature	Henry Gee	Darwin Lecture Theatre, Darwin Building, University College London, Malet Place, WC1E 6BT
A candid look at what goes on inside the world's most prestigious scientific journal. Dr. Henry Gee joined Nature in 1987 as a news reporter on a three month contract. Twenty-four years later, he's still there, and is now a senior member of the editorial team. The author of several books including Jacob's Ladder: The History of the Human Genome and The Science of Middle-earth, he enjoys walking, playing blues organ, supporting Norwich City FC and falling asleep. Free, no need to book. Call 020 7679 2647 if extra information required.
17 November 2010 4.00 pm	Soft but not floppy; the art of science and the science of art	Steve Jones	Grant Museum, London - check website for exact location
Professor Steve Jones, former Head of the Genetics, Evolution and Environment Research Department at UCL, examines the interaction of art and science. Drawing parallels with our own perceptions from the world of animal camouflage and animal behaviour, he will talk about his research on snails, as a malacologist. Derived from the Greek root of 'malakos' for soft and floppy, this term for a student of molluscs means something remarkably rude in Greek. See the website www.grant.museum.ucl.ac.uk or call 020 7679 2647 for details of venue.

Looking for a talk for your school or college? Check out our details of authors giving talks and interactive events in schools and colleges.

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