23
May
2016
|
09:32
Europe/London

A science chaser for pub-goers: festival launches

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More than 30 scientists from The University of Manchester are to take part in the world's largest festival of public science on 23rd – 25th May

Researchers from over 100 cities around the world taking part in the event which brings science out of the lab and into the local boozer.

Founded four years ago by two UK researchers, the three-day Pint of Science festival today brings a unique line up of talks, demonstrations and live experiments to the world’s favourite watering holes.

Now in its third year in Manchester, researchers can be caught speaking at five pubs across the city each night, and tickets are available for £4 from the Pint of Science website

This year’s talks include a serious discussion on suicide, sneezes and wheezes and  the problems of feeding an ever growing world population . And for those who want to know a bit more about quantum physics - over a pint-  now’s your chance.

Alongside the main talks, each evening will also include a range of fun, science related activities including live experiments, science comedy, fun quizzes, engaging stories and other interactive activities.

Manchester organiser is Hannah Roberts, a final Year PhD student who is currently researching the viability of nuclear waste disposal.

She said: “So much science communication is aimed at children and parents. While this is clearly important, we feel that adults too need to know more about what is going on in the lab.

“So this is a brilliant way to bridging the gap, and informing the public so they will know more about what is going on in the lab. Sometimes it also helps to inform our guests about something which directly affects them.”

One of the contributors is Dr Sheena Cruickshank, who’s talk is entitled: sneezes and wheezes: understanding allergies.

She said: “Pint of Science is a fantastic event, lead by our students and showcasing a diverse series of science topics in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Come and have a pint and share some science.”

So much science communication is aimed at children and parents. While this is clearly important, we feel that adults too need to know more about what is going on in the lab. So this is a brilliant way to bridging the gap, and informing the public so they will know more about what is going on in the lab. Sometimes it also helps to inform our guests about something which directly affects them
Manchester organiser the Pint of Science festival Hannah Roberts

Pint of Science was established four years ago by a group of UK based postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers. Festival founders Dr Praveen Paul and Dr Michael Motskin, who were based at Imperial College London are now aiming to get their volunteer run initiative in every city in the world.

“We want to give people the opportunity to learn about the latest scientific developments directly from the scientists themselves – and then feel free to question them”, says Festival co-founder Dr Paul. “We were at first surprised by the public's appetite for these events and by the interest from both volunteer organisers and speakers. The rapid growth of Pint of Science from a grassroots effort to a global movement has shown that we may have been underestimating both scientists and the public, and that there is a greater need for more events like these”.

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