Scientists from the University of Sheffield will be talking about their work and answering pubgoersâ questions in venues across the city centre as part of a festival being held this month.
Pint of Science is returning to Sheffield for second time, with this yearâs line-up bigger and better than before. More than 50 researchers will take to the stage â covering topics as diverse as neutrinos, prison, the internet of things, kidneys and natural disasters.
The international, three-day Pint of Science festival will see thousands of scientists simultaneously standing up and telling the public about their research in over 100 cities across 12 countries. Founded by two UK researchers, the festival brings a unique line up of talks, demonstrations and live experiments to the nationâs favourite locals.
In Sheffield, the Pint of Science Festival will run in six city pubs over the three days, with each venue hosting talks on one theme of the festival:
- The Holt CafĂŠ will host âAtoms to Galaxiesâ
- Harrisonâs Bar will host âBeautiful Mindâ
- Sentinel Brewhouse will host âOur Bodyâ
- The Old Queenâs Head will host âOur Societyâ
- The Sheffield Tap will host âPlanet Earthâ
- Couch on Campo Lane will host âTech Me Outâ
Tickets are available from the Pint of Science website , with each evening costing ÂŁ4. Sheffield attendees will enjoy a variety of exciting talks including:
- Are friends electric? with Professor Tony Prescott, Director of Sheffield Robotics â exploring the future of robots and AI as they become more social, and asking the question âcould we one day have personal relationships with robots?â.
- Edible experiments: a taste of chemistry with Dr Joanna Buckley â sharing her passion for food and chemistry through edible experiments and by answering those food-based questions youâve always wanted to ask.
- Research needs a mouse like a fish needs a bicycle with Professor Stephen Renshaw- looking at the use of âmodel organismsâ in cutting-edge medical research.
In addition to the talks, there will be science-busking performances and a series of fun and interactive activities and demonstrations before and after each talk â including âJeopardy with Siriâ, infrared camera and plasma demonstrations, build a volcano activities and an immersive dark matter experience.
The Sheffield programme has been organised by the University of Sheffieldâs Public Engagement and Impact Team and a team of student volunteers.
Pint of Science was established five years ago by a group of UK-based postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers. Festival founders Dr Praveen Paul and Dr Michael Motskin wanted to bring back the personal touch to science, giving everyone the chance to meet the real people behind the incredible research taking place in universities across the country. The duo are amazed by the growth of their idea into a global festival, which has spread to 12 countries around the world.
âScience can often get lost in translation, leading to the spread of pseudo-science and myths,â said festival co-founder Dr Motskin.
âThe best way to overcome this is for people to be able to talk to scientists directly in a familiar environment, such as in a pub over a pint.
âWe are in awe of how big the festival has become over the years, demonstrating the thirst there is to hear science from the source â the scientists. The festival gives everyone the chance to pick the brains of some of the UKâs most brilliant academics, breaking down barriers and giving unrivalled access to the people behind the science.â
About Pint of Science
Pint of Science is a volunteer run initiative. It is coordinated by a small central Pint of Science team who work alongside organisers predominantly based within the various participating universities.
The 2017 programme, announced today, will see UK talks held in London, Oxford, Cambridge, Bath, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow, Southampton, Exeter, Teesside, York, Portsmouth, Edinburgh, Hull, Leeds, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham, Sheffield and Guildford, and (new for 2017) Cardiff, Bournemouth, Canterbury, Liverpool and Durham. Whilst every science evening during the festival is unique, each will include at least two experts presenting their research.