Given the current restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic we are launching our Talking Science series of public lectures online this year and until further notice. We are closely following government advice to understand when we will be able to safely return to Daresbury Laboratory to deliver our usual face to face engagement. Please follow our social media accounts on twitter @ Daresbury Laboratory and Facebook to hear more about our exciting upcoming events. We look forward to you joining us ‘virtually’ soon!
Public Engagement with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) has always been important to us, and we love to talk about our world leading research, together with the impact science has on the world around us.
In order to do this, we host a monthly programme of fascinating public talks at Daresbury Laboratory called Talking Science. Our aim is to inspire and involve you, the public and schools in STEM. Last year Daresbury was delighted to celebrate 20 years of this popular series.
From September 2018 to June 2019 we took our talks off campus and out into the local region whilst we had our lecture theatre refurbished (where the talks are normally held). What better way to celebrate our twentieth year than to take Talking Science out to the communities!
This year we are back at Daresbury Laboratory with an exciting new programme of talks for 2019/20. So we do hope you can join us in finding out more about some of the amazing science and research that is currently happening in the world around us, from future missions to the moon to the rock guitar in 11 dimensions, there is something in the series for everyone!
19 March 2020, 19:00 - 20:00 , suitable for age 12+
Location: Daresbury Laboratory, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, WA4 4AD
Speakers: Professor Carsten Welsch, University of Liverpool / Cockcroft Institute
BOOKINGS OPEN
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More than 40 years ago, on 25 May 1977, Star Wars began its world-wide success story with the first movie being launched at 32 cinemas in the USA. We will be discussing what is science and what is fiction in the Star Wars movies. This will include the physics behind the famous light sabers, hyperspace, and of course...the force. We will also link the Star Wars universe to current research into particle accelerators and show how this can be (at least) as exciting as what is shown in Star Wars. There will also be hands-on activities and opportunities to speak with our researchers. Disclaimer: This is not an official Disney/Lucasfilm event.
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Professor Carsten Welsch23 April 2020, 19:00 - 20:00
Location: Daresbury Laboratory, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, WA4 4AD
Speaker: Professor Andy Miah, University of Salford
BOOKINGS OPEN
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This talk examines the consequences of a society in which people live among drones. From the most spectacular and amazing applications to the most destructive ones, it charts a course in recent history which tells the story of how drones came to prominence and what they mean for humanity’s future. Focusing especially on the scientific uses of drones, it examines how these flying machines are enabling new kinds of research to emerge, along with discussing some of the biggest technological challenges they present, which tell the story of how artificially intelligent robots will become a bigger part of our lives in the future.
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Professor Andy Miah21 May 2020, 19:00 - 20:00
Location: Daresbury Laboratory, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, WA4 4AD
Speaker: Laura Gemmell, University of Bristol
BOOKINGS OPEN
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Swarm engineering allows us to make robots that work in large numbers (>1000), and tiny sizes (<1 cm). Swarm strategies are either inspired from nature (ant colonies, fish shoals, and bird flocks) or are automatically discovered using machine learning and crowdsourcing. Demonstrated applications include the deployment of swarms of flying robots to create outdoor communication networks, the use of 1000 coin-sized robots to form structures and explore their environment, and the design of nanoparticles for cancer treatment.
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Laura Gemmell3 June 2020, 19:00 - 20:00
Location: Daresbury Laboratory, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, WA4 4AD
Speakers: Professor Susan Smith, ASTeC Director & Head of Daresbury Laboratory
BOOKINGS OPEN
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Particle accelerators do what it says on the tin: they accelerate particles! However, they are also the biggest machines mankind has ever built, provide ever-improving cancer therapies and can even operate as time machines. Join our Head of the Laboratory Susan Smith as she tells us about her exciting and varied career at Daresbury Laboratory studying and developing these amazing machines, and how they greatly improve the world we live in.
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Professor Susan SmithLast updated: 14 September 2020
Science and Technology Facilities Council
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