MyGlasgow News

Glasgow is Scotland’s original Pint of Science and it is back this year bigger than ever!

● Head down to your local pub to hear talks on everything from space to parasites from poo!
● More than 40 scientists to appear in city watering holes, as the world's largest festival of public science talks arrives in Glasgow
● Glasgow will join nearly 300 cities around the world taking part in this global festival from the 14 – 16 May
● Tickets on sale from 9 April at pintofscience.co.uk/events/glasgow

Tickets have been launched for the world’s largest festival of public science talks, which will see more than 40 scientists take to the stage in pubs across Glasgow

As part of the three-day Pint of Science festival, thousands of scientists around the world will speak about their research. In nearly 300 cities across 21 countries, members of the public will have the chance to ask them questions. The festival brings a unique line up of talks, demonstrations and live experiments to the nation’s favourite locals.

Researchers from the universities across Glasgow will talk about a variety of topics at pubs across the city, including Committee Room No.9, The Raven, The Record Factory, The Griffin, Liberté and DRAM! Tickets are available from the Pint of Science website (pintofscience.co.uk), with each evening costing just £4. Attendees in Glasgow will enjoy a variety of exciting talks including:

• The rise and fall of the Zika virus: The unexpected spread of the Zika virus caught researchers off guard. It was previously thought to be innocuous but is now associated with serious neurological conditions. How did this happen? What caused the virus to change? What were these changes? Should we be worried about what could happen to Zika and other viruses in the future?
• Waste to Energy: One Town’s Trash is another Town's Electricity: They say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure... In this case it’s electricity. This talk will explore the process which converts your leftover dinner into the power lighting your kitchen, the science behind how it works, how it's currently being used, and where it can go from here.
• An atoms eye view of the formation of the solar system: What was our Solar System like when our sun first started to shine? How can we use atomic measurements of tiny grains in meteorites to find out and how is that sunshine currently wrecking Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster?

Alongside the main talks, each evening will also include a range of science-inspired activities including quizzes, games, engaging stories and other interactives.

“We are very excited to bring Pint of Science back to Glasgow this year for the biggest festival the city has seen so far. The scientists of Glasgow are working on some ground breaking research and we can’t wait to share it with the public.” Hannah Martin, Glasgow Pint of Science coordinator.

Pint of Science was established six years ago by a group of UK-based postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers and has grown into one of the world’s biggest science festivals. The founders, Dr Praveen Paul and Dr Michael Motskin, have brought a personal touch to science, giving everyone the chance to meet the people behind the incredible research taking place across the globe.

"There is so much fascinating research happening right under our noses that we don't know about” says festival co-founder Dr Paul. “Some can get lost in translation leading to fake news. Pint of Science allows people direct access to inspiring scientists and encourages open discussion, all in the most familiar of British places, the pub! Scientists drink pints too - they really aren't that different!"

“It's great to see this enthusiasm for knowledge shared across the world - this year Pint of Science will be taking place in nearly 300 cities and 21 countries!”

Creative Reactions:

This year Glasgow Pint of Science also includes Creative Reactions, a programme where artists and scientists partner to inspire each other and produce incredible artworks inspired by scientists’ research, such as sculptures relating to marine spectroscopy or textiles art on meteorites. These works break down barriers and encourage creativity for both parties and the results are breath-taking.

This will take place on Thursday the 17 May at Unexpected Artist, St.Enochs.

 

---

First published: 9 April 2018