MEMBERS of the public can keep up to date with the latest exciting developments in science and find out about how it affects their everyday lives through a new series of free public lectures at STFC Daresbury Laboratory near Warrington.
Whether your interest is in how you can cheat at reading other people’s minds, climate change, artificial intelligence or human evolution, an entertaining and interactive talk that brings science to life awaits.
The new calendar of public lectures launches this Friday (September 18) with a special lecture about the history and legacy of the Synchrotron Radiation Source (SRS) and how a very simple idea for a photon super microscope was put into practice by ‘borrowing’ time on a much larger machine designed to study the atomic nucleus.
These early experiments were so successful that funding was awarded to build the SRS which subsequently ran for 28 years only closing its doors to scientists for the last time in 2008. During its two million hours of science, the SRS has advanced research into diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s and malaria; been used to produce new drugs and materials, cleaner fuels and lower emissions from car exhausts, safer aircraft, better tasting chocolate; as well as to conserve historic artefacts such as the Mary Rose. Tickets for this one-off lecture are still available and can be booked on 01925 603040.
Other lectures in the coming months will explore the science behind how mind-reading skills can be developed from maths; how the power of the stars could be used as a future energy source on Earth; how the basic building blocks which make up the Universe are investigated using particle physics and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Geneva; and how forensic archaeology and anthropology are helping to solve global atrocity crimes such as genocide. Scientists will also spark debate and give demonstrations as they explore questions and issues such as sustainability, artificial intelligence and whether human evolution is over using everything from contemporary Hollywood films to the humble fish finger.
Tony Buckley, Head of Science in Society at Daresbury Laboratory said: “”We live in a world that is surrounded by science. It is in every part of our lives and is always in the news, but all too frequently no-one actually tells us what it is, what it means and what the consequences might be. The Daresbury Laboratory ‘Talking Science’ lectures give everyone a chance to engage with science and technology, to learn about the latest news and issues, ask experts questions and discuss what they think about it all. They’re a 21st century salon of science to which everyone is invited.”
Tickets for STFC Daresbury Laboratory’s popular ‘Talking Science’ lectures are free. Bookings for each lecture open one month prior to the event.
Tickets must be booked in advance and run out fast – so make a note in your diary to avoid disappointment.
The full programme of lectures can be found online at www.dlevents.stfc.ac.uk/lectures.htm For more information and to book tickets please contact Science in
Society on 01925 603040 or emailing [email protected].
Free science lectures at Daresbury Lab
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
