From using drones for river research, to parenting challenges for military families, to how the humble blackcurrant can improve exercise performance, there will be something to suit every interest at the first Worcester Pint of Science Festival.
The event, organised by the University of Worcester’s Research School, is designed to bring university research out to the community by holding talks on topics in local pubs, giving researchers and academics a chance to share their work with a wider audience.
This is the first time that the international Pint of Science Festival, which runs from Monday (May 20) to Wednesday (May 22), has been held in the City.
Dr Charlotte Taylor, Lecturer in Researcher Development in the University’s Research School, said: “From using drones for good, to keeping our vegetables disease-free, to military life as a family, there is bound to be something to suit everyone’s taste at the upcoming Worcester Pint of Science Festival. We have had a great response so far but there are still some tickets left - this is your chance to learn something new in the first event of its kind in Worcester and we would love to have as many people there as possible.”
A team from the Research School has worked to bring about talks at three venues on three nights. Other topics include future treatments for leukaemia, using slime to stop crop diseases, sustainable development and football in Africa, as well as average sports in extreme environments and the impact of age on physical activity.
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 sessions will be pitched to be accessible to the general public.
Tickets cost £4 per person and can be purchased on the website below. Organisers will also be raising money for the University’s Charity of the Year, Cure Leukaemia, through a collection at the ’Understanding Leukaemia’ session, on Monday, May 20.
Numbers will be limited per pub. Details on timings and how to purchase tickets can be found at the events page.