Residents will have the chance to hear about some of the latest research by experts at the University of Worcester from the comfort of their local pub.
Academics at the University of Worcester will be giving a series of talks in local venues as part of an international festival, called Pint of Science.
The festival brings researchers and academics, from universities across the UK, Europe and globally, into local venues to share their discoveries with members of the public.
University of Worcester PhD student, Alice Burgin, who was part of the team at the University of Worcester’s Research School that is bringing the event to Worcester for the first time, said: “Communicating science to the public is so important. Research can be very significant, for example bringing about policy change or helping people understand how they can improve their lives or the world, but it’s important to communicate it beyond the academic world. Pint of Science offers a novel and engaging strategy to do exactly this. We are thrilled that such an esteemed science festival is now coming to Worcester to offer an accessible platform for the public to gain knowledge of all the interesting and exciting research that goes on at the University.”
Topics include whether all antioxidants are good for you, the role of the blackcurrant in improving exercise performance, future treatments for leukaemia, average sports in extreme environments, using drones for research, using slime to stop crop diseases, sustainable development in Africa and football in Africa.
The three venues taking part are The Arch Rivals micro pub, in Infirmary Walk, the Paul Pry, in The Butts, and Annie’s at The Courtyard, in St Nicholas Street. They will all be hosting talks each night from May 20 to May 22. Doors open for the event at 6.30pm every night, with events starting at 7.30pm or 7pm. Talks at The Arch Rivals will focus on the topic Planet Earth, which looks at geosciences, plant sciences and zoology. Presentations at the Paul Pry come under the topic Beautiful Mind, which looks at psychology, psychiatry and neurological sciences. Finally those speaking at Annie’s at The Courtyard will relate to Our Body, which involves medicine, human biology, and health.
Academics will speak about their research in slots of 20 to 30 minutes, with time for questions and answers afterwards. The session will be pitched at a general public audience rather than academics in the field to make it more accessible.
Entry is free, but at the Our Body session, on Monday, May 20, organisers will be raising money for the University’s Charity of the Year, Cure Leukaemia, through a collection.