Science in Reading

RDG Cafe Scientifique: How Dinosaurs Took Over the Planet & Never Really Left

Tue, Sep 1 · 7:00 PM BST

Zerodegrees Microbrewery & Restaurant Reading, 9 Bridge Street, Reading, GB

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 via the website.

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.

Everyone welcome!

7:00pm Arrivals
7:30pm Welcome and Introductions
7:35pm How Dinosaurs Took Over the Planet…and Never Really Left (Dr Jacob Gardner – University of Reading)
8:20pm Comfort Break
8:30pm Q&A
9:00pm Networking
9:30pm End

How Dinosaurs Took Over the Planet…and Never Really Left (Dr Jacob Gardner – University of Reading)

Thirty years ago, a fossil uncovered in China forever changed our perception of dinosaurs and many animals alive today. It was the first dinosaur fossil discovered with feathers, ending centuries of debate about the origins of birds and igniting a revolution in palaeontology. Since then, our knowledge of how dinosaurs lived, looked, and evolved has grown dramatically. Join palaeontologist Dr Jacob Gardner to find out how we think dinosaurs moved and took over the planet, and why some of them are still around today. From familiar giants to small and unusual, Dr Gardner will share some of the amazing fossils discovered in the last 30 years and how modern technology is bringing them to life.

Dr Jacob Gardner is a Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellow at the University of Reading. He received a BSc in Earth Sciences from Montana State University and a PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Reading, where he studied how dinosaurs spread around the world and evolved new ways of moving. He has travelled the world studying dinosaurs, ancient humans, and other prehistoric life, focusing on their biogeography, locomotion, and evolutionary history.

You can read more about Jacob’s work here: https://www.jacobdgardner.com/

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 via the website.

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)