About us
INTRODUCTION BY THE GROUP CO-ORGANISER, BOB
Café Science – Basingstoke is an independent, not‑for‑profit forum for curious minds. We bring together scientists, technologists, and interested members of the public to discuss the latest developments in science, technology, and climate change — in a relaxed, inclusive environment.
We welcome anyone with an interest in exploring big ideas — whether you're deeply knowledgeable or just curious. We hope you enjoy the talks and livestream events we publicise, and help us grow this community of science conversation.
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 mostly publicise include Science in Reading, Henley Science Cafe, Romsey Science Cafe, Salisbury Science Cafe and Winchester Skeptics in the Pub.
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 occasional 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.
GROUP ORGANISERS
Meetup requires an official group administrator, so Andrew C manages the Meetup account and related logistics. Bob Clifford continues to head up the event planning, coordination, and group leadership. Bob now works from Norwich and oversees the event calendar remotely, so while he may not attend many local meetups in person, he remains the primary contact via Meetup for all group queries and planning matters.
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
8
Romsey Cafe Sci: "Chalk Streams: Natural History of a Globally Rare Ecosystem "
Royal British Legion, Love Lane, Romsey SO51 8DE, GBThis is an in-person talk hosted by Romsey Science Cafe. Basingstoke Science Cafe enthusiasts are invited to attend the Cafe Scientifique Romsey talk on “Chalk Streams: The Natural History of a Globally Rare Ecosystem” delivered by Kira Fuller, Hants and IOW Wildlife Trust.
Please book in advance to reserve your place.
For more details of past and future talks and how to book for this talk, please see our web site.
https://www.cafscientifiqueromsey.com/Book by email with the Romsey Café Sci organisers directly at:
cafscirom@gmail.comPlease try to avoid last minute bookings. It can cause lots of administration especially when we are full. Thank you
Venue: Royal British Legion, Love Lane, Romsey.
Doors open 19.00, talk starts 19.30
We ask for a donation of £5 per head (cash at the door please) to cover room hire and refreshments.Royal Institution "Animal Dissection Live"
The Royal Institution, The Royal Institution 21 Albemarle Street London W1S 4BS,, United Kingdom, GBThis is a theatre and livestream talk from the Royal Institution of Great Britain. Get a fascinating look at animal biology with a live dissection of an animal as part of a full afternoon of wonder for all ages.
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/animal-dissection-live
SUMMARY
Join Ben Garrod, from the University of East Anglia, and veterinary surgeon Jess French for a very special afternoon at the Ri, with a unique opportunity to find out about the workings of the body at a lion dissection.Across the course of the event, Ben, Jess and their team will dissect the animal in our Theatre, explaining the anatomy as they go, and revealing the fascinating facts it can tell us about our own bodies. During an extended interval, you'll have the opportunity to explore hands-on demonstrations and activities to learn even more about how animal biology works.
This event is open to all ages. Ben and Jess are very experienced in presenting this to a younger audience, as well as adults, and we encourage everyone to attend. Attendees will be able to come and go as they please if they require a break during the long sessions. Those who are particularly squeamish may choose to sit further back in the Theatre.
Event timings:
1:00pm – 2:30pm – Dissection Session 1
2:30pm – 3:45pm – Interval with pop-up activities
3:45pm – 5:00pm – Dissection Session 2Disclaimer: The animal died of old age and has been donated for the purpose of education. The specific animal is subject to change.
With thanks to University of East Anglia for making this event possible.This is a theatre and livestream event for an adult audience, where the speakers and audience in our Theatre are joined by our audience online.
The livestream will go live around 6.50pm, and the talk will begin at 7.00pm. If you register but miss the livestream, the video will be available to you via the same link for two weeks after the event date.
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.
2 attendeesRoyal Institution "The living lab above: Science of the sky"
The Royal Institution, The Royal Institution 21 Albemarle Street London W1S 4BS,, United Kingdom, GBThis is an in-person theatre and livestream talk from the Royal Institution of Great Britain. Join engineer and inventor Lucy Rogers for a vivid, curiosity-fuelled journey through the sky as a dynamic living laboratory.
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/living-lab-above-science-sky
SUMMARY
Join engineer and broadcaster Lucy Rogers as she blends hands-on demonstrations, modern science, and personal adventure to reveal the wonders visible to anyone who simply looks up.Lucy will begin by recreating classic Victorian experiments, including some from the Ri's own history —from John Tyndall’s light-scattering demonstrations explaining why the sky is blue, to the buoyancy that underpins everything from drifting clouds to soaring gliders. From there, the exploration widens to the many phenomena unfolding overhead: from migrating butterflies and murmurating starlings, to shimmering aurorae and the planets beyond.
Interwoven throughout are stories from Lucy’s own field adventures, paired with clear scientific insight into navigation, flight, atmospheric optics, and the technologies that help us study the sky today. The talk will also bring the latest frontier research into focus, inviting you to rediscover the sky as a place of science, beauty, and ongoing discovery. Look up - and see the world in a whole new way.
Copies of Lucy's book "Up: A Scientist’s Guide to the Magic Above Us" will be available for purchase after the talk.
This is an in-person theatre and livestream event for an adult audience, where the speakers and audience in our Theatre are joined by our audience online.
The livestream will go live around 6.50pm, and the talk will begin at 7.00pm. If you register but miss the livestream, the video will be available to you via the same link for two weeks after the event date.
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.
2 attendees
Past events
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