Science in Reading

Links to the local STEAM groups + #rdggeek Link Tree

We are looking for speakers for 2025 and beyond. If you would like to get involved and support your local Reading Geek community please get in touch – email: talks [at] rdggeeknight.org or via Twitter: @RDGGeekNight

Speaking slot availability can be found here.

Our monthly meetups are held upstairs at Zero Degrees (9 Bridge St, Reading RG1 2LR) from 7pm.

So please do come along, grab a beer/food at the downstairs bar (the mango beer and wood fired pizza are epic) and come share your geekery and enjoy a relaxed evening of talks + networking + beers.

Everyone welcome!

• 7:00pm Arrivals
• 7:30pm Welcome and Introductions
• 7:35pm Using AI for Music Creation (Simon Morris)
• 8:05pm Networking & beers
• 8:30pm Short announcements/updates*
• 8:35pm Pub Quiz (Please bring a pencil & paper)
• 9:30pm End(Networking and beers downstairs)

Using AI for Music Creation (Simon Morris)

Join us for an exciting talk on the cutting-edge world of AI music creation! We’ll dive into innovative tools like Riffusion and Suno AI, exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we compose, produce, and experience music. Whether you’re a musician, tech enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of sound, this event is a great opportunity to learn, discuss, and explore the creative possibilities AI offers. Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of this dynamic conversation!

About Reading Geek Night

A friendly and welcoming community for enthusiasts.

Every second Tuesday of the month Reading Geek Night has talks on various topics about science, tech, design & geekery. The usual format is to gather from 7:00pm and commence the talks at 7:30pm. Talks are ~20mins + Q&A with a break of 20mins for networking and beer.

*Before the second session there is an opportunity for any short announcements so please let us know on the night if you would like a slot or 1-2mins.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Get involved and support the community

If you would like to get involved with your local #rdggeek community by giving a talk or hosting a quiz at an upcoming event please contact us via twitter: @RDGGeekNight, Facebook or email us: talks [at] rdggeeknight.org

Speaking slot availability can be found here.

**Register now **👉 https://forms.office.com/e/wudP1wBK6g

The world is going through a truly transformational period in history due to rapid advancements in AI, however not everyone understands why this is happening now.
The incredible progress made in accelerated computing over the last decade is enabling what was previously considered impossible or decades away, driving the AI advancements we see in our everyday lives.
Ross Verrall, NVIDIA’s EMEA Enterprise Service lead, will give his perspective and experience living through it for the last 7 years and then happily take any questions.
Jonathan Boyle, a researcher at the University of Reading with 15 years of experience in Computational Vision and AI, will lead a historical walkthrough of how accelerated computing has fundamentally expanded possibilities in both fields.
At the end of this session attendees should:
✅ Understand why modern AI is happening now and the role of accelerated computing
✅ Learn about cutting edge innovation and use cases being built today
✅ Have a pragmatic view on how you can thrive in these rapidly changing times
Agenda:
👉 6PM - 6.45PM: Registration, networking, and refreshments
👉 6.45PM - 7PM: Welcome and introduction to TVAI Skills Workshops
👉 7PM - 7.30PM: The Inevitability of Accelerated Computing (Ross Verrall)
👉 7.30 - 8PM: Accelerated computing in Computer Vision (Jonathan Boyle)
👉 8PM - 8.15PM: Q&A
👉 8.15PM - 8.l45PM: Final networking opportunity and goodbyes
**Register now **👉 https://forms.office.com/e/wudP1wBK6g
As this is a workshop, spaces are limited and attendees MUST book via the Microsoft form to ensure your place. Places will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis, and booking confirmations will be sent to all confirmed attendees.

Links to the local STEAM Groups + Social Media Link Tree

We are looking for speakers for 2026 & beyond. If you would like to get involved and support your local Science community please get in touch – email: scienceinreading [at] gmail.com or twitter: Science in Reading (@Science_Reading) Speaking slot availability can be found here.

A friendly Science focused group entertaining the local community with the fascinating world of science – events from hands on workshops to engaging talks. Everyone welcome!

Our monthly meetups are held upstairs at Zero Degrees (9 Bridge St, Reading RG1 2LR) from 7pm.

So please do come along, grab a beer/food at the downstairs bar (the mango beer and wood fired pizza are epic) and enjoy a relaxed evening of talks + networking + beers.

7:00pm Arrivals
7:30pm Welcome and Introductions
7:35pm Microwaves – Friend or Foe? From your kitchen to outer space (Samudra Dasgupta – University of Bristol)
8:20pm Comfort Break
8:30pm Q&A
9:00pm Networking
9:30pm End

More Information

Microwaves – Friend or Foe? From your kitchen to outer space (Samudra Dasgupta – University of Bristol)

Microwaves have become a household word over the past few decades, used synonymously with the ubiquitous gadgets adorning our kitchens. However, we often tend to overlook the complete identity of these microwaves – as a spectrum of electromagnetic energy (typically in the GHz range) sandwiched between its equally significant spectral neighbours, viz., Radio Frequencies (RF) and Infra-Red (IR). Together, they represent a powerful force which keeps the modern world running – with uses and abuses ranging from the humble kitchenette to the endless outer space. Whilst they power our medical devices on one hand, they also trigger a plethora of health concerns in the bargain; they scaffold a digital economy as much as they enable cyber frauds; they propel our smart homes and factories no less than they drive the military technologies of mass destruction; they offer us hopes for space based solar power but makes us more wary of a future space warfare; so on and so forth. In summary – love them or hate them, but one can hardly ignore microwaves in today’s world order.

In this context, the above talk has been conceived in honour of these microwaves – to discuss their diverse avatars and the associated risks vs. benefits. With a little bit of physics sprinkled on top for some flavour and garnish, the talk has been consciously curated for a scientifically curious audience with no prior knowledge of electromagnetics. So, please feel free to pop-in for an evening of light scientific discourse along with some food for your thoughts (and may be a pint for your thirst).

Samudra is the Deputy Programme Director for Aerospace UG Programme and a Lecturer the in the University of Bristol, where he teaches various aspects of aircraft design and sustainable aviation technologies. Before switching over to academia, he had over 20 years of applied R&D experience in the aerospace industry and his research interests are in composite structures for different electromagnetic applications, including EMI shielding, radome, lightning protection, thermal management etc. He has multiple international patents and several publications and other awards to his credit. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society (MRAeS). For more details, please visit/connect at https://in.linkedin.com/in/samudradg

If you would like to get involved and support your local Science community please get in touch – email: scienceinreading [at] gmail.com or twitter: Science in Reading (@Science_Reading)

Speaking slot availability can be found here.

We meet 1st Tuesday of the month. Format is gathering from 7.00pm with talks commencing at 7.30pm. Talks timings are completely flexible but generally 40-60mins + Q&A with a ~20mins break to encourage social networking.

Contact’s: email: scienceinreading [at] gmail.com or twitter: Science in Reading (@Science_Reading)