Brain training, chimp chat and the dark side of the Universe…
Thursday 23 April 2009
This September, the British Science Festival will be regaling Surrey with the latest exciting and thought-provoking science. Among the anticipated highlights are the British Science Association Award Lectures, which will be presented at the University of Surrey, Guildford.
The Award Lectures are coveted prizes for talented communicators with an interesting story to tell about their research. The Association has identified five early stage scientists and engineers who have demonstrated exceptional skills in communicating to non-specialist audiences to give these prestigious lectures.
The winners will present diverse subject matter - from a look at how working memory, the brain’s ‘post-it note’, is at the centre of a new scientific revolution in understanding how the brain works, to insights into dark matter. The lunchtime lectures are open to all.
Roland Jackson, Chief Executive of the British Science Association said: ‘The British Science Association Award Lectures seek to reward outstanding communicators who can bring their subjects to life with passion and enthusiasm whilst also tackling the social implications of their research.
‘The lectures are always a very popular component of the Festival programme, attracting a broad audience. This year’s winners promise to deliver thoroughly engaging talks that I’m sure visitors will enjoy.’
The 2009 award winners are:
Dr Katie Slocombe, University of York – Charles Darwin Award Lecture
‘Primate communication: links to human language?’
Dr Slocombe will present her research on chimpanzee vocal communication and explain how comparing human communication to non-human primate communication can help us uncover how language – one of our most remarkable capacities – evolved.
Dr Maria McNamara, University College Dublin – Charles Lyell Award Lecture
‘What rots? How dead animals decompose and its importance for decoding the history of life’
Dr McNamara will lead the audience through processes involved in exceptional fossil preservation and how this can illuminate the ecology and physiology of ancient animals.
Dr Kerry Kirwan, University of Warwick – Isambard Kingdom Brunel Award Lecture
‘Lean, mean and green’
Dr Kirwan will reveal how the use of a ‘helix of sustainability’ framework can result in something groundbreaking like the WorldFirst F3 racing car – designed and made from sustainable and renewable materials.
Dr Alex Murphy, University of Edinburgh – Lord Kelvin Award Lecture
‘Exploring the dark side of the Universe’
Dr Murphy will provide insights into the topic of dark matter and explore what this means for our understanding of the Universe.
Dr Tracy Alloway, University of Stirling – Joseph Lister Award Lecture
‘The new IQ: working memory’
Dr Alloway will unlock the power of working memory and illustrate how unlocking this power by training your brain could improve your prospects in the classroom and the workplace.
The British Science Festival will take place at the University of Surrey, Guildford and across Surrey from 5-10 September. To find out more about the exciting events planned - from hands-on family days to debates on current 'hot topics', visit www.britishsciencefestival.org.
The 2009 British Science Festival is organised by the British Science Association in partnership with the University of Surrey, Guildford Borough Council, Surrey County Council and the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).
Media Enquiries
Peter La, Press Office at the University of Surrey, Tel: +44 (0)1483 689191, or Email mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk
