What we’re about
INTRODUCTION BY THE GROUP ORGANISER, BOB
Cafe Science - Basingstoke is a not-for-profit group where anyone is welcome to explore the latest ideas in science, technology and climate change. As the organiser for the group, I now run the group diary from Norwich where I am based, so you will be very unlikely to see me at any in-person events.
ABOUT LOCAL IN-PERSON TALKS
We encourage our subscribers to attend in-person talks hosted by local science discussion groups that are within easy reach of Basingstoke. The groups we publicise include Science in Reading, Winchester Science Cafe, Henley Science Cafe plus Skeptics in the Pub in Winchester and the Science Discovery Group in Emsworth.
The in-person events include a speaker plus a break with a follow-on Q&A discussion of the presentation topic. The speakers will often be researchers and experts in their field invited from local companies and academic centres and are specialists in the subjects under discussion.
IN-PERSON ADMISSION / DONATION FEES
You should be aware that groups running in-person talks will often request an admission fee or donation of up to £5 towards speakers and group expenses.
ONLINE LIVESTREAM TALKS
For those unable to attend the in-person talks, we also provide details of lectures and discussions delivered as on-line livestream talks that you can watch with your family, friends and neighbours. Why not make the most of this great social opportunity by inviting others to join you in a cafe or at home and then have your own discussion afterwards about the topic you watched. The livestream talks and discussions include those from The Royal Institution, The Royal Society, Gresham College and various University public lectures.
BOOKING LIVESTREAM EVENTS
Access and booking arrangements for online live stream talks are always handled by the talk organisers outside of this meetup site. Please ensure you take the time to read the booking instructions carefully.
NOTIFICATIONS
Join this meetup group to receive email notifications via Meetup of any in-person and live stream science and technology talks, debates and lectures that we hear about.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- RI: Do data deceive or inform?Needs location
This livestream from the Royal Institution of Great Britain will join Emma McCoy, Vice President and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) and Professor of Statistics at the London School of Economics (LSE) to discover more about "Do data deceive or inform?".
ADVANCE BOOKING AND PAYMENT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS TALK.
More details and booking instructions on the RI web site:https://www.rigb.org/whats-on/do-data-deceive-or-inform
SUMMARY
Join The Royal Institution for a fascinating lecture by Emma McCoy as she explores the risks and benefits of data analysis and output from AI tools as they become increasingly common in our daily lives.SUMMARY
As our world becomes increasingly digital, the role of data science and AI literacy is more important than ever. Whether in academia, the professional world, or as engaged citizens, understanding these technologies has become indispensable for informed decision-making.Join Emma McCoy, Vice President and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) and Professor of Statistics at the London School of Economics (LSE), as she sheds light on the importance of these skills by drawing on her own experiences. Emma will guide us through the landscape of data science, emphasising its role in extracting meaningful insights. She will also highlight the importance of AI literacy, going beyond basic understanding to critically assess and interpret AI outputs.
Finally, Emma will address the potential pitfalls of these skills as well as their applications, arming us with tips and tricks to avoid biases in the quest for accurate results.
Timing for the livestream
The live stream will go live at 6.55pm, and the introduction will begin at 7.00pm. If you register but miss the live stream, the video will be available to you via the same link for two weeks after the event date.Price:
Livestream audience: Mon-members of the Royal Institution pay £10Event type
This is a livestream event where the speaker and audience come together online.You will have priority access to the recorded video for two weeks after the event has taken place.
For more information on livestreams, see the information below, or visit our FAQs page. Please use the event link you have been provided with.
By booking to attend events at the Royal Institution, you confirm that you have read and accept the Ri's event terms and conditions. You also agree to abide by our code of conduct, and help to create a great experience for yourself and your fellow participants.
- Winchester Skeptics: 'Do We Need Flies?'The Winchester Club, Winchester£5.00
Join the Winchester Skeptics in the Pub from 7pm for their in-person talk starting at 7.30pm. The talk is titled 'Do We Need Flies?' and is being delivered by Dr Erica McAlisterm, Principal Curator of Diptera and Siphonaptera, at the Natural History Museum, London.
£5 at the door to attend this event, which includes a book raffle. We take cash and major cards (cards preferred).
https://www.meetup.com/hampshire-skeptics-society/events/300328669
SUMMARY
Flies. You moan about them in your kitchen, you are filled with horror and rage at their persistence in trying to feast off you, and you turn away in disgust when spotting them feeding on faeces. They are everywhere, they are in their millions, and they are the best animals on the planet!Yes, indeed, these much-maligned creatures are some of the most morphologically diverse and ecologically important species alive. They have been shaping this planet’s evolution and are still helping all that is on the planet, including ourselves. In this talk Erica will highlight the morphology and ecology of flies, and how these have bio-inspired humans to better look after ourselves.
VENUE
Talks are usually on the 4th Wednesday of every month, at 7:00 for 7:30, at The Winchester Club in Winchester. Please take a look at the FAQs for more info.The event is in two parts – the talk and then a Q&A after the interval. We encourage you to support the venue by indulging in the available drinks before and during the event.
You are also welcome to join us for a drink in the bar after the event.
- Free online lecture - Extreme Science on the Climate Change Frontline!Link visible for attendees
In this online presentation, Dr Phil Porter, co-founder of Global Geography Academy, will detail some of the research he has undertaken in the frozen parts of our planet over the past thirty years, at extreme altitudes in the High Himalaya and extreme latitudes in the High Arctic. Although Phil’s research provides clear evidence of accelerating environmental change, the real challenges and the actions needed to respond to environmental issues lie very much closer to home. Despite relentless negative news reporting, Phil will discuss why there is reason to be optimistic about climate change and environmental issues and how we can all take actions, both collectively and individually, to ensure a brighter future for all.
8:00pm Meet online for chat with own drinks and snacks
8:15pm Talk starts (approx. 45 minutes)
9:00pm Questions and Answers with the speaker
9:30pm FinishDr Porter's charity of choice is the https://www.justgiving.com/page/key-and-compass-porterInternational Red Cross, should you wish to make a voluntary donation after the lecture.
This lecture is organised by Key & Compass. Keep an eye out here and on Facebook & Twitter for future events.
See you soon!
- RI: Discourse: Decoding the cosmosNeeds location
This livestream from the Royal Institution of Great Britain to unravel the profound mysteries of the universe's explosive birth.
ADVANCE BOOKING AND PAYMENT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS TALK.
More details and booking instructions on the RI web site:https://www.rigb.org/whats-on/selling-fast-discourse-decoding-cosmos
SUMMARY
Just a century ago, observational evidence established the existence of other galaxies besides our own. Soon afterwards, it was discovered that the Universe is expanding, driving a profound change in our understanding of the cosmos. In 1998, the prevailing cosmological paradigm was again upended by the discovery that the Universe's expansion is accelerating.Since then, the remarkable progress in cosmology, spanning Peiris's research career, has been driven by the close interplay between theory and observations. Observational discoveries have led to a Standard Model of cosmology with ingredients not present in the standard model of particle physics – dark matter, dark energy, and a primordial origin for cosmic structure. The physical nature of these ingredients remains a mystery. The race to unravel this cosmic puzzle is now underway, motivating a new generation of ambitious sky surveys across the electromagnetic spectrum and using new messengers such as gravitational waves.
Peiris will describe some highlights from her journey through this rapidly changing cosmological landscape in this discourse. She will also discuss how laboratory experiments are helping us test new fundamental physics paradigms developed to explain cosmological observations.
Timing for the livestream
Please start the livestream at 7.20pm for the discourse to begin at 7.30pm. If you register but miss the live stream, the video will be available to you via the same link for two weeks after the event date.Price:
Livestream audience: pay what you can (£10 suggested, £5 minimum)Event type
This is a theatre and livestream event where the speaker and audience come together in-person and online.You will have priority access to the recorded video for two weeks after the event has taken place.
For more information on livestreams, see the information below, or visit our FAQs page. Please use the event link you have been provided with.
By booking to attend events at the Royal Institution, you confirm that you have read and accept the Ri's event terms and conditions. You also agree to abide by our code of conduct, and help to create a great experience for yourself and your fellow participants.