Reading Cafe Scientifique - Lichens, drones & dinosaur bones

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.

7:00pm Arrivals
7:30pm Welcome and Introductions
7:35pm Lichens, drones, and dinosaur bones: dinosaur discovery in Canada (Dr Brian Pickles – University of Reading)
8:20pm Comfort Break
8:30pm Q&A
9:00pm Networking
9:30pm End

More Information

Lichens, drones, and dinosaur bones: dinosaur discovery in Canada (Dr Brian Pickles – University of Reading)

For over 120 years dinosaur skeletons have been collected from Alberta, Canada, in the area now known as Dinosaur Provincial Park. Over 50 dinosaur species have been described from the Park, along with all sorts of other extinct animals, and there are so many bones you are often tripping over them. This makes it one of the best places in the world to learn about dinosaur ecology. Brian's novel research is using modern organisms (lichens) and technology (drones) to find fossils (dinosaur bones). He is also studying biodiversity using bonebeds and tracksites, and examining exquisitely preserved specimens like "mummified" hadrosaurs! The talk will cover some of the exciting research that he and his students are working on, using both modern technological approaches and good old fashioned digging around in the dirt.

Brian is an Associate Professor of Ecology at the University of Reading where he mainly teaches students about reptiles, plant-fungal symbioses, and palaeobiology. He grew up in Scotland and Malaysia and has worked extensively on reptiles in the tropics and forest ecology in Canada. Brian’s interdisciplinary research spans natural history topics centred around biodiversity and species interactions. He was always interested in dinosaurs but never expected to be studying them for a living.

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)