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
3
Winchester Skeptics: What is it like to be a crow?
Winchester Club, Highfield Lodge, Worthy Lane, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 7AB, Winchester, GBThis is an in-person talk hosted by the Winchester Skeptics in the Pub (SitP). Basingstoke Science Cafe members are invited to attend these regular monthly talks at the Winchester Club in Winchester. The Hampshire Skeptics Society is a non-profit organisation for the promotion of science, reason and critical thinking.
Winchester SitP meetings are open to all regardless of beliefs and each month’s talk will be followed up with a challenging Q&A session.
MORE DETAILS ABOUT WINCHESTER SKEPTICS CAN BE FOUND ON THEIR WEB SITE.
https://www.hampshireskeptics.org/
The doors open at 7.00pm, and the talk will begin at 7.30pm.
Talks are usually (December is always an exception) 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.
Admission is £5 which also gives you an entry in the book raffle. We take cash and major cards (cards preferred).
SUMMARY
Further details to followSTANDARD STUFF
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.
SPEAKER
TBASKEPTICS IN THE PUB ONLINE
SitP Online: Every 4th Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm UK time on Twitch.1 attendeeGresham College: "The Sky at Night, Tonight: A New View of the Changing Sky"
Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, WC1R 4RL London, London, GBThis in-person theatre and livestream talk is available online from Gresham College to Basingstoke Science subscribers.
ADVANCE BOOKING AND PAYMENT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS TALK.
More details and booking instructions on the Gresham web site:
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/sky-nightSUMMARY
#### Part of:
This lecture was moved from its previous date in April due to delays receiving data from the Vera Rubin Observatory which is a key element of the talk. A new in-person ticket link will appear here in due course. Booking opens one month before the event
On a remote mountain top in Chile, scanning the sky with the largest astronomical camera ever built, the Vera Rubin Observatory is conducting the deepest and most sensitive survey of the sky yet. This lecture will cover whatever it’s found in the previous week, from supernovae to asteroids, giving us a glimpse of science in action.LIVESTREAM TIMING
The livestream will go live at 6.55pm, and the introduction 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.
Gresham College has offered an outstanding education to the public free of charge for over 400 years. Today, Gresham College plays an important role in fostering a love of learning and a greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Please consider making a donation on their web site to support the work of Gresham College.
1 attendee
Royal Society: Pathogens and the power of evolution
The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG, London, GBBasingstoke Science Cafe subscribers are invited to enjoy this in-person and livestream science talk from the Royal Society in London.
Meet world-leading researchers from universities and science institutions across the UK at the Royal Society’s public events of cutting-edge science. Tonight's lecture is "Francis Crick Prize Lecture: Pathogens and the power of evolution". The Francis Crick Medal and Lecture 2026 is awarded to Professor Kayla King for contributions to the fields of evolutionary biology and genetics of infectious disease.
This livestream event is free to join and requires prior registration with the Royal Society at the web address below.
https://royalsociety.org/science-events-and-lectures/2026/10/francis-crick-prize-lecture/
SUMMARY
Why are some infections more harmful than others? Pathogens can have huge potential to evolve higher (or lower) virulence over short periods of time. In this lecture, Professor Kayla King will explore the rapid evolution of pathogens across the tree of life. Drawing on evolutionary theory, genome sequencing, and selection experiments in which bacterial and viral pathogens are passaged in the lab, she will reveal what drives these evolutionary changes in virulence, as well as the consequences for pathogen genomes and host health. Professor King will present examples of pathogens evolving within weeks in response to host immunity and warming temperatures.The lecture will ultimately discuss the implications of her group’s research for predicting pathogen virulence and patterns of genomic evolution in a changing world. Amidst an increased risk of zoonoses jumping to protected species and humans, a better understanding of pathogen virulence evolution has never been more important.
SPEAKER
Professor Kayla King is an evolutionary biologist whose work focuses on the evolutionary and ecological dynamics of animal-pathogen interactions across the tree of life. Her research aims to unravel how traits, such as virulence and transmissibility, evolve in endemic and emerging pathogens, with implications for biodiversity conservation and getting ahead in the race against zoonoses. She is a Professor and Canada Excellence Research Chair in the Departments of Zoology and Microbiology & Immunology at the University of British Columbia, as well as a Professorial Fellow in Biology, University of Oxford.Professor King has received many honours, including the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada Arthur B. McDonald Prize (2024), Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution Mid-Career Excellence Award (2023), Zoological Society of London Scientific Medal (2022), Linnean Society Bicentenary Medal (2020), Philip Leverhulme Prize for Biology (2018), and American Society of Naturalists Early Career Investigator Prize (2013).
## Attending the event
- The event is free to join, please register via register via Eventbrite
- Live subtitles will be available in-person and virtually
### Attending online
- The lecture can be attended in person at the Royal Society
- Please note that as this is a free event, we anticipate that not everyone who reserves tickets will use them and we therefore make more tickets available than there are seats. You are highly unlikely to be refused entry but please be aware that admission is on a first-come, first-served basis and not guaranteed. Please arrive early to secure a seat
- This event is free to join. Pre-bookable
- please register via Eventbrite for a ticket
- Live subtitles will be available in-person and virtually
- Doors will open at 6pm
Find travel and accessibility information on our website. Please email us with any access requirements or questions.
- You can take part in the live Q&A via Slido
- This event will be recorded (including the live Q&A) and the recording will be available on YouTube soon after the event
For all enquiries, please contact awards@royalsociety.org.
1 attendee
Past events
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Group links
Members
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