Who says learning science is boring? What if you can learn interesting and relevant scientific facts while having a nice cold beer in the pub?
Pint of Science is a charity event where the most brilliant scientists deliver the latest in findings in scientific research through interesting and relevant talks in a local pub.
The event aims to provide an environment where people can discuss research with those who carried them out. No prior knowledge of the subject is required.
Established by a community of postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers in the UK in 2012, Pint of Science is now a three-day celebration that happens every year in the month of May. The talks are mainly run by volunteers and take place simultaneously in nearly 300 cities across 21 different countries.
This year Pint of Science is supported by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency and will take place in 16 cities on 14, 15, and 16 May 2018.
West End is one of the sites for Pint of Science in Brisbane. Six different events will be held at the Catchment Brewery and Loft West End. Check out the list below to see the topics and be quick in booking tickets as one of the six events has already sold out.
Choosy Brains and Babies’ Brains
Monday, 14 May 2018 (7:00 p.m. -9:30 p.m.)
Booking for this event is probably one of the best decision you’ll make. Two talks about our brains will be discussed in this event including how we make decisions and how alcohol can affect the cognition of babies.
Learn more about how the brain works whilst enjoying great food at the same time. Prizes are up for grabs for those who can answer some trivia questions.
“Making Decisions in the Human Mind” will be explained by Claire Naughtin (Senior Research Consultant, CSIRO’s Data61). She will be exploring the science behind how humans make decisions and why we sometimes struggle with multitasking.
“Frisky Whisky and Cheeky Pints” will be discussed by Diana Lucia (PhD Student, University of Queensland). She will be discussing the risks of alcohol consumption around conception and prior to pregnancy recognition when it comes to the health of the growing fetus.
Venue: Loft West End 100 Boundary St, West End
Disruptive Technologies: Robots at Work
Tuesday, 15 May 2018 (7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.)
If you are a robotics fan, you should check out this event where experts will share all about the life and times of robot research and how new robot technology can help us with our needs in the future.
Munch on some good food while learning and get a chance to win Pint of Science merch if you can answer trivia questions.
“CSIRObotics: Robotics Research at CSIRO” will be presented by David Howard (Research Scientist, CSIRO). With the help of his colleagues, he will take you on a journey to the past, present, and future of robotics research at CSIRO. Learn how they create transformational technology that tackles the unique challenges in Australia.
“Social Robots in the Healthcare Field” will be shared by Nicole Robinson (Researcher, Queensland University of Technology). Learn about modern-day robots that can interact and communicate with people and how they can be used as an assistive tool for people in the health and wellbeing industry.
Venue: Loft West End 100 Boundary St, West End
The Many Faces of Venom and Art
Tuesday, 15 May 2018 (7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.)
Two different topics in one night. This event will explore the relationship between art and science and how spider venoms can be used for drugs.
“Art + Science = ?” will be presented by David Harris (Artscience Researcher, QCA-Griffith University/Physics Museum Curator, University of Queensland). He will be showing what happens when art and science meet, plus more crazy things that can come out when the two disciplines are combined.
“Fight Creepy with Crawly” is a topic from Samantha Nixon (PhD Student, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland; CSIRO Agriculture and Food). She will be explaining how spider venom can be transformed into life-saving drugs for humans and animals.
Venue: Catchment Brewery 150 Boundary St, West End
Fortune-Telling Oceans
Wednesday, 16 May 2018 (7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.)
This is an event dedicated to ocean-lovers. Learn about the tiniest members of the ocean and their importance to the big blue. You will also be amazed to know how the ocean influences the weather. Sit down, relax, and have a pint whilst learning how to beat the weatherman.
“Tiny and Powerful” is a presentation from Julian Uribe-Palomino (Plankton Researcher, CSIRO). Here, she will showcase the unknown world of the planktons, what creatures are part of it, and why we should care about them.
“Waves and Weather” will be discussed by James Thompson (Meteorologist, Bureau of Meteorology). He will be discussing how to predict the weather and explain the science behind the tools and techniques used at Bureau of Meteorology.
Venue: Loft West End 100 Boundary St, West End
Blockchain Buzz and the Internet of Things
Wednesday, 16 May 2018 (7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.)
The current hot topics online will be discussed by experts to shed a light on the meaning of blockchain and the Internet of Things. Time to be more aware of the buzz on the internet while indulging in great foods which are half-priced since it’s a Wednesday night.
“Avoiding Machine Overlords” by Dr Philip Valencia (Senior Research Engineer, CSIRO). In this talk, Dr Valencia will introduce how Artificial Intelligence is being applied to the Internet of Things (IoT).
“Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, and Genomics?” by Dr Caitlin Curtis (Research Fellow, The University of Queensland) and Dr James Hereward (Research Fellow, The University of Queensland). In this talk, the experts will be exploring cryptocurrency, the basics of Blockchain, and its application in genomics.
Venue: Catchment Brewery 150 Boundary St, West End
