University of Southampton researchers at the international Pint of Science (PoS) festival, 15-17 May

Southampton’s researchers will deliver talks, demonstrations and live experiments in city pubs

SOUTHAMPTON, 10-May-2017 — /EuropaWire/ — Researchers from the University of Southampton will take part in the three-day international Pint of Science (PoS) festival from 15-17 May, delivering unique talks, demonstrations and live experiments across the pubs of Southampton.

Tickets for Pint of Science Southampton are now on sale at just £4 per night.

The festival will see 47 researchers from the University take over six local pubs to explain a wide range of subjects being researched behind the University’s doors. These include:

• “Eat, sleep, work, repeat” – looking at how our body clocks keep us healthy and sane. The importance of circadian rhythms and why we need sleep.
• “Binging on black holes” – understanding the giants of our universe and accessing the realms we can’t explore on Earth.
• “What happens when we die” – exploring what makes us human and the nature of consciousness in the body.
• “Why should we protect the forests?” – demonstrating the importance of forests to both wildlife and society. Humans gain massive benefits from forests that we don’t always think about.
• “Making replacement body parts in the lab” – find out about the ways to grow replacement body parts in the lab or to stimulate the body to make its own replacement tissue.
• “How do supermarkets shape what we eat?” – exploring the clever marketing campaigns within supermarkets to affect our dietary choices, and looking into why different types of people respond differently.

Participating pubs across the city include Ebb and Flow (Above Bar Street), Stein Garten (High Street), Mettricks Guildhall (Guildhall Place), The View Bar (Southampton Sports Centre), Belgium & Blues (Above Bar Street) and Art House Café (Above Bar Street).

Alongside the main talks, each evening will also include a range of fun, science-related activities including live experiments, science comedy, fun quizzes, brain teaser tests and other interactive games.

“Engaging the people of Southampton with the scientific research going on behind the scenes is so important, and what better way than grabbing a pint at your local pub and learning something new!,” said Lisa Jones, PoS Southampton Publicist.

“Southampton has leading scientists in cutting-edge fields and the Pint of Science festival is a unique opportunity for the public to hear from these experts in the comfortable surroundings of their local pub. Most importantly, the talks are understandable for everyone and you don’t need any scientific knowledge to attend,” said Caroline Barker, PoS Southampton co-ordinator.

Pint of Science was established five years ago by a group of UK-based postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers. Festival founders Dr Praveen Paul and Dr Michael Motskin wanted to bring back the personal touch to science, giving everyone the chance to meet the real people behind the incredible research taking place in universities across the country. The duo are amazed by the growth of their idea into a global festival, which has spread to 12 countries around the world.

“Science can often get lost in translation, leading to the spread of pseudo-science and myths. The best way to overcome this is for people to be able to talk to scientists directly in a familiar environment, such as in a pub over a pint”, says Dr Motskin. “We are in awe of how big the festival has become over the years, demonstrating the thirst there is to hear science from the source – the scientists. The festival gives everyone the chance to pick the brains of some of the UK’s most brilliant academics, breaking down barriers and giving unrivalled access to the people behind the science.”

SOURCE: University of Southampton

Media Relations:

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Rebecca Attwood
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