STEM Mentoring

This **theatre** and **livestream** 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/price-pixels](https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/price-pixels)** **SUMMARY** #### Part of: [From Battlefields to Bytes: The Environmental Scars of Modernity](https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/series/battlefields-bytes) Our digital world's convenience masks a heavy environmental cost. This lecture explores the destructive rare earth mineral mining powering our devices, the vast energy consumption of data centres fuelling climate change, and the toxic e-waste contaminating our environment and harming human health. From resource extraction to digital consumption, we'll uncover the environmental trade-offs of our tech-dependent lives and discuss pathways towards a sustainable digital future that minimizes degradation, protects health, and mitigates climate change. **LIVESTREAM TIMING** **The livestream will go live at 5.55pm, and the introduction will begin at 6.00pm. 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](https://www.rigb.org/whats/faqs-ri-livestreams). 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.

**AI on Tap - Ignite: Real Founders. Real Pitches. Real Beer.** *In collaboration with: [Dust](https://dust.tt/) and [Barclays Eagle Labs](https://labs.uk.barclays/)* **The pitch event that actually helps you raise** Let’s be honest – most pitch events are painful. You watch founder after founder deliver polished presentations to a panel of judges who nod sagely and offer vague feedback. Everyone claps politely. Nobody learns anything useful. **AI on Tap – Ignite is different.** We’re bringing together ambitious AI founders who are serious about raising capital – and putting them through their paces in the most constructive way possible. ***Here's how it works*** **🎯 Pitch Simulator** Four brave founders present their fundraising decks to a room full of other founders and investors. But here’s the twist – the entire room gets to play investor, asking the tough questions you’ll face in real meetings. No softballs. No politeness. Just honest scrutiny that gets you truly prepared. **💰 Raise Simulator** Everyone gets £20k of virtual money to invest through our event app. Put your money where your mouth is – bid for equity in the companies you believe in. Put yourself in the shoes of investors. See fundraising from the other side of the table. **💡 Round-up Panel** Our hosts reveal the results and break down what worked, what didn’t, and why. Real insights from people who’ve been there and done it, both as founders and investors. **🎤 Open Mic Q&A** Your turn. Bring your burning questions about fundraising, pitch decks, or that tricky slide you can’t quite nail. Get answers from a room full of people who get it. **🍺 Proper Networking** The best conversations happen over a pint. Meet other founders facing the same challenges, swap war stories, and build your network. ***Why this actually works*** *Get battle-tested before it matters* You’re going to face difficult questions from investors. Better to hear them first in a supportive room than bomb in your actual pitch. *See through investor eyes* Playing investor yourself is the best way to question your own assumptions and understand what investors are really looking for. *Learn from real examples* Watch other founders navigate tough questions. Steal what works. Avoid what doesn’t. ***Meet Your Hosts*** [Marc Hartog](https://www.linkedin.com/in/marchartog/) \- CEO\, [Fractionality Ltd](https://www.fractionality.xyz/) [Jo Eckersley](https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeckersley/) \- Founder\, [FINITIE](https://finitie.co.uk/) [Pax Zoega](https://www.linkedin.com/in/paxzoega/) \- Co\-Founder & CEO\, [Outlean + Hyperlytics (UK)](https://hyperlytics.digital/) ***Who should be there*** **You're a founder if...** * You’re planning to raise in the next 12 months * Your pitch deck needs a reality check * You want honest feedback, not empty encouragement * You’re ready to help other founders succeed **You're an investor if...** * You want to meet ambitious AI founders * You believe in constructive feedback * You’re looking for your next opportunity * You enjoy a good beer and better conversation ***Ready to ignite your raise?*** This isn’t your typical pitch event. It’s a room full of people who want you to succeed – and will tell you exactly what you need to hear to get there. No theatrical judging panels. No start-up theatre. Just real feedback that makes a real difference.

It's that time of the year again, Rust Nation UK. We are excited to have Rustaceans who have flown in to meet the London community, forge new friendships, and engage in insightful discussions. Tickets are still available for the conference. Community Promo code: RustLDN2026 [https://www.rustnationuk.com/tickets](https://www.rustnationuk.com/tickets) **Community Showcase** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Iason Paraskevopoulos** **Title: Building an OSS Remote Pair Programming App in Rust** **Abstract:** Hopp is a multi-user remote control and screen sharing app designed for fast, natural collaboration. This talk walks through how the system works end-to-end, from cross-platform screen capture and input handling to low-latency video streaming. It covers why we chose Tauri for cross-platform development early on, the headaches caused by WebKit’s inconsistencies and WebRTC issues, and why we are moving towards a Rust-native UI. **David Wood (Rust Compiler Team Co-Lead)** **Title: Extending Rust’s notions of sizedness** **Abstract:** This talk is based on work I am completing upstream as the co-lead of the compiler team and the lead of Arm’s Rust team. It is based on this RFC - https://github.com/rust-lang/rfcs/pull/3729, which is partially implemented. We hope to stabilise the implemented parts before this talk is presented. More Talks to come......

**Join us for a fireside chat with Claudia Stankler, COO at Connectd, who helped scale the company from zero to $14M ARR.** **Claudia will share the critical decisions behind building a high-performance operations function, from timing that first ops hire to managing distributed teams and maintaining culture through hypergrowth.** **Whether you’re a founder navigating your first scale-up or an operator looking to level up, you’ll leave with actionable frameworks and hard-won lessons from someone who’s been in the trenches.**

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 **"This is not the AI we were promised"** as the **Royal Society Michael Faraday Prize Lecture** 2026 delivered by **Professor Michael John Wooldridge**. **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/2026/02/faraday-prize-lecture/](https://royalsociety.org/science-events-and-lectures/2026/02/faraday-prize-lecture/)** **SUMMARY** Contemporary AI systems like ChatGPT are remarkable. They appear to be confident, articulate experts that can turn their hand to anything we might care to ask them about. It is easy to be dazzled and to conclude that the long-held dream of truly intelligent machines is no longer a dream but a practical reality. Yet these new AI behemoths present a conundrum. While on the one hand, they truly are remarkable, they manifestly fail many of the most basic tests of rational intelligence. For one thing, they simply don't know, and can't tell, what is true and what isn't. They are hopelessly inconsistent; they have no sense of their limits of their knowledge or abilities; they are comically suggestible; and they are easily steered to flights of surrealistic fantasy. AI researchers are busy inventing a completely new field of experimental AI to try to get to grips with these bizarre new artefacts. This is all the more surprising because it is so far removed from popular expectations of what AI would be like: remorselessly logical. So what are we to make of it all? How should we think about the new AI? In his talk, Professor Michael John Wooldridge will look at how the new AI works and why, as a consequence, it exhibits these weird, frustrating, fascinating behaviours. He will show just how far the new AI is from classical expectations and talk about the next frontiers for AI - and how far we are from the dream. **SPEAKER** Michael Wooldridge is the Ashall Professor of the Foundations of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Oxford. He has been an AI researcher for more than 30 years and is one of the founders of the field of multi-agent systems. He is a Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), the Association for the Advancement of AI (AAAI) and is currently co-editor in chief of “Artificial Intelligence” journal. He has received the Lovelace medal from the British Computer Society (2020), the Patrick Henry Winston Outstanding Educator Award from the Association for Advancement of AI (2021), and the Distinguished Service Award from the European Association for AI (2023). In 2023 he was appointed specialist advisor to the House of Lords inquiry on Large Language Models. He has published two popular science introductions to AI: the Ladybird Expert Guide to AI (2018), and The Road to Conscious Machines (2020). He presented the 2023 Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, broadcast by BBC TV over December 2023, in the 198th year of the series. ## Attending the event * The event is free to join, please register via [register via Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/royal-society-milner-award-lecture-2025-professor-iryna-gurevych-tickets-1341789300919?aff=oddtdtcreator) * 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 [tickets are available on Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/this-is-not-the-ai-we-were-promised-tickets-1978114900918?aff=oddtdtcreator) * Live subtitles will be available in-person and virtually * Doors will open at 6pm Find [travel and accessibility information](https://royalsociety.org/about-us/contact-us/carlton-house-terrace-london/) on our website. Please [email us](mailto:public.engagement@royalsociety.org) 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](mailto:awards@royalsociety.org).

After high demand, we’re so excited to announce the launch of our **Amplify Her Monthly Co-Working Sessions**, in collaboration with **The Ministry\, Borough \| Workspace & Members’ Club**. These monthly co-working days are designed to give our community a dedicated space to **connect, create, and get things done**. Each session brings Amplify Her members together in an inspiring environment to co-work side by side, share ideas, collaborate on projects, and support one another’s growth within the music industry. Whether you’re writing, planning, producing, marketing, or simply need focused time around like-minded creatives, these sessions offer the perfect balance of **productivity, accountability, and community**. **Want to join?** **[All In Pass](https://www.amplifyher.co.uk/membership/payment/eyJpbnRlZ3JhdGlvbkRhdGEiOnt9LCJwbGFuSWQiOiI2MWZiZjliYy0yNWI1LTQ2ZDgtYWNkOS02MTgxN2VjMTE2MzciLCJjaGVja291dEZsb3dJZCI6IjY2ZmYwMGY5LTBkOWYtNDRjMS05NDhkLTY0ZWIxZDU1MzFmNSJ9)** The **All-In Pass** offers full access to everything Amplify Her provides, plus personalized mentorship support. This is our most comprehensive membership option and is designed for artists and music professionals ready to fully invest in their growth. All-In Pass includes: * Access to industry events * Entry to workshops * Attendance at live music events * Full access to music industry courses * Monthly co-working sessions in collaboration with The Ministry, Borough * Access to industry opportunities, including: * Sync placement opportunities * Gig opportunities * Songwriting camps * Other professional development opportunities * 3 hours of one-to-one mentorship, offering personalized guidance, strategy, and industry insight * Access to the Amplify Her community network for collaboration and support **[Amplify Her Pass](https://www.amplifyher.co.uk/membership/payment/eyJpbnRlZ3JhdGlvbkRhdGEiOnt9LCJwbGFuSWQiOiI4N2ViODYzNy1jNTVjLTRhZDQtYTFlZC05ZWYxNjUyYWRiZTQiLCJjaGVja291dEZsb3dJZCI6IjUxNzFhODhiLWUyZTctNDNlOC04MWQ5LTljZWMyMWM3NzNhYSJ9)** The Amplify Her Pass is perfect for those looking to stay connected, informed, and actively involved in the music industry while being part of a supportive community. Amplify Her Pass includes: * Access to industry events * Entry to workshops * Attendance at live music events * Full access to music industry courses * Monthly co-working sessions in collaboration with The Ministry, Borough * Access to industry opportunities, including: * Sync placement opportunities * Gig opportunities * Songwriting camps * Other professional development opportunities * 3 hours of one-to-one mentorship, offering personalized guidance, strategy, and industry insight * Access to the Amplify Her community network for collaboration and support At Amplify Her, we welcome everyone at every stage of their journey — whether you’re just starting out, finding your voice, or building a sustainable career in the music industry. Our mission is to create inclusive, supportive spaces where women and gender-marginalized creatives feel empowered, connected, and equipped with real opportunities to grow. Through community, education, collaboration, and access to industry pathways, Amplify Her exists to ensure no one has to navigate the music industry alone. Wherever you are on your journey, there is space for you here. **Follow us here:** [https://www.instagram.com/amplify_herLive/](https://www.instagram.com/amplify_herLive/ "https://www.instagram.com/amplify_herLive/") [https://www.amplifyher.co.uk/](https://www.amplifyher.co.uk/ "https://www.amplifyher.co.uk/") [https://www.linkedin.com/company/amplifyher/](https://www.linkedin.com/company/amplifyher/ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/amplifyher/")

This event is open to anyone who works in or is interested in the tech industry, whether you are a developer, designer, engineer, entrepreneur, student, or hobbyist. You will be able to meet new people, share your experiences, learn from others, and find potential collaborators or mentors. Attending our events earns you [Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points](https://gcs.civilservice.gov.uk/how-to-get-cpd-points). CPD offers numerous benefits, including skill enhancement, career progression, and up-to-date knowledge. It helps professionals stay competent, advance in their careers, and maintain professional credibility. We usually start around 2 p.m. at The Exmouth Arms, which offers a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to suit all tastes and burgers, sandwiches, and snacks to suit most dietary needs. The pub also offers a Lunch Special between 12 and 4pm for a Cheeseburger with fries for £9 & schooners for £4. It is worth noting that whilst the event is free, the food and drinks aren't. Come thirsty, curious, and ready to have a great time!

👋 General Info Hi friends, We’re excited to kick off our next React meetup on **February 18**! Join us for an evening of practical insights, great conversations, and community vibes — from real-world React talks to networking with fellow engineers. **🗣 Call for Proposals** Have an idea or story to share? Submit your talk proposal through our[ ](https://forms.gle/8gZfT3Qkfd71CxyK6)[CFP form](https://forms.gle/rCiQ8Y4jajiC8AHMA) and take the stage at one of our upcoming meetups! **🤝 Organized by** This event made possible thanks to the support from[ React Summit](https://reactsummit.com/) and[ JSNation](https://jsnation.com/) organizers –[ GitNation](https://portal.gitnation.org/). **🤝 Hosted by** Huge friends to our friends [Figma](https://www.figma.com/) Figma is a browser-based design and prototyping tool enabling real-collaboration. Built for developers, Figma's Dev Mode gives you the power to easily inspect designs and translate them into code—without changing the design file. Headquartered in San Francisco, in 2020 Figma opened its EMEA HQ in London. We’re a team of makers who celebrate our differences and share a passion for our community. Our London based engineering team is growing quickly and working on some of Figma's top company priorities. 🤝 **Want to support our community?** We’re looking for venue partners and sponsors for future meetups. Let’s discuss collaboration — [contact us](https://forms.gle/zWYxsanfbhV64dEr5)! **🕑 Event Schedule** * 18:00 - Doors open - snacks, beer, socialization * 18:50 - Opening notes * 19:00 - **The Lost Art of Debugging: Why Your Browser is Smarter than AI - [Abdullah Ola Mudathir](https://www.linkedin.com/in/cruxcodes/)** * 19:25 - **Why Your Marketing Scripts and Cookie Banners Are Ruining Your Lighthouse Scores - [Christopher Burns](https://www.linkedin.com/in/burnedchris/)** * **19:50 - Networking, Open Mic Lightning Talks** * Mingle until 21:00 pm 🗣️ **Talks** ➡️ **The Lost Art of Debugging: Why Your Browser is Smarter than AI - [Abdullah Ola Mudathir](https://www.linkedin.com/in/cruxcodes/)** *The easiest thing to do is often what causes hours of debugging down the line. With LLMs becoming increasingly normalized in the industry, an overreliance on them can allow bugs to slip through the cracks.* *In this talk, I'll demonstrate a practical debugging workflow: Debug first. Prompt second. I'll show how browser DevTools reveal what's actually happening faster than any AI can guess.* *You'll learn:* * *Essential DevTools features that improve your bug-fixing prowess* * *When to reach for your browser and when AI can actually help* * *The almost forgotten art of breakpoints and strategic console messages* *AI in your codebase represents growth, but understanding your runtime state represents mastery. This talk is about balancing both and knowing which tool to reach for first.* ➡️ **Why Your Marketing Scripts and Cookie Banners Are Ruining Your Lighthouse Scores - [Christopher Burns](https://www.linkedin.com/in/burnedchris/)** *Most marketing scripts and cookie banners run on the critical path. They block the main thread, delay first paint, and inject third-party code before the page is interactive.* *Consent managers often make this worse by synchronously loading vendors, mutating the DOM repeatedly, and re-hydrating UI after page load. The result is slower LCP, higher TBT, and unstable CLS.* *The fix is not fewer scripts, it is better orchestration. Treat consent as infrastructure, load vendors after intent, and keep compliance off the critical path.* — **👍 Code of Conduct** By registering for this event you agree to comply with our [CoC](https://gitnation.com/coc) **📩 Contact** events@gitnation.org https://twitter.com/ReactAdvanced http://youtube.com/ReactConferences https://bsky.app/profile/reactadvanced.gitnation.org

Join us to network and grab a drink or a meal. We will have a space dedicated for our group. Looking forward to seeing you! This months topic is The high achievers guide to the holidays!

***Enter the live meeting room here: [https://discord.gg/5wgxtr4c2u](https://discord.gg/5wgxtr4c2u)*** ***Download the engine here: [https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/download](https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/download)*** Welcome to the **Unreal Engine Workshop!** In each session we'll tackle essential game design discussions, then transition into hands-on project creation. Participants will build and expand their skills continuously as we explore every aspect of game development. From basic blueprints and interactive mechanics, to advanced rigging, animation, environment design, and lighting, we'll work our way up to creating small complete games. We encourage experimentation and peer teaching, so whether you're a beginner or experienced developer looking to deepen your expertise, our sessions provide a supportive environment to learn, create, and innovate together in Unreal Engine 5.

At Evolve Synergy Sessions, you'll be part of a supportive mastermind where we share challenges, brainstorm solutions, and inspire one another to take bold steps in our businesses. Grow your network, gain fresh perspectives, and build meaningful relationships with like-minded women who are committed to success. Whether you’re looking to move the needle in your business or simply need a space to connect and recharge, this is the perfect place to fuel your entrepreneurial journey. [Add Event to Calendar](https://evolvecolumbus.eventcalendarapp.com/) \*\* Please note, we will be arriving around 8:15a for open networking! Get there early and get connected! Contact Alexis Morley at [alexis.morley@edwardjones.com](mailto:alexis.morley@edwardjones.com) or Terri Lawson at [terri.lawson@e-merge.com](mailto:terri.lawson@e-merge.com) for more information.

Bring your business cards and network in person with other business professionals! Gold Star Referral Clubs is one of the most established professional networking organizations in the country, with multiple groups in central Ohio. Join us!

#### Turning Rentals Into Income: How Investors Pay Off Properties Faster #### **Featuring Guest Speaker: John Blackburn** **👉 Get your FREE TICKET [HERE](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/turning-rentals-into-income-how-investors-pay-off-properties-faster-tickets-1980492192461?aff=cicmeetupapp)** #### A lot of people get into real estate because they want freedom. Then they buy a rental…and realize most of the rent goes straight to the bank. They technically own property, but the mortgage controls the income. And waiting 30 years for properties to be paid off doesn’t feel realistic. This meetup is about understanding a different way to think about rental properties… one that focuses on paying them off sooner so the income is actually usable. **Featured Guest Speaker: John Blackburn** We’re excited to welcome John Blackburn as our guest speaker for this event. John has been actively investing in real estate since 2006 and has: * Been involved in **5,000+ real estate transactions** * Helped investors **acquire over $150 million in rental property** * **Raised more than $100 million** in private capital John didn’t start with family money or shortcuts. He built his portfolio by focusing on clear systems, real numbers, and long-term strategy. For this meetup, John will walk through how investors shift their focus from simply owning rentals to building properties that eventually pay them…without a mortgage attached. **What You’ll Learn** John will break down, in simple terms: * Why most rental properties don’t produce much usable income early on * Why buying more rentals isn’t always the answer * How investors structure their properties to pay off mortgages in a fraction of the time * How properties can work together to eliminate debt faster * What changes once rentals become free and clear This approach is often referred to as an accelerated paydown strategy — using rental income intentionally to reduce debt sooner, rather than waiting decades for mortgages to run their course. John will also share a simple calculator you can use to see how this works with real numbers and realistic scenarios. **The Core Idea** When a rental has a mortgage, the rent has one job: **pay the bank.** When a rental is paid off, the rent has a different job: **pay you.** Most people only see one timeline…30 years. This session shows how investors shorten that timeline and gradually increase their income as properties become free and clear. **Who This Event Is For** This event is for people who want more than just “owning rentals” on paper. * Rental owners who are tired of most of the rent going to the bank and want a clearer path to real, usable income * New investors who want to understand how rental properties actually build wealth over time before jumping in * People with capital who want to invest in real estate with intention and a long-term plan * Anyone serious about freedom and curious how rental properties transition from debt-heavy assets into income-producing ones **Event Details** **Location:** Ohio Brewing Company - 421 E 2nd Ave, Columbus, OH 43201 **Date & Time:** January 25th, 6–8 PM (Doors open at 5:30) **Cost:** Free (Seats are limited - RSVP required) **👉 Get your FREE TICKET [HERE](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/turning-rentals-into-income-how-investors-pay-off-properties-faster-tickets-1980492192461?aff=cicmeetupapp)** If you’ve ever wondered how rental properties actually turn into freedom —this is the room to be in.

WQC has weekly Thursday night social nights at the Westerville Java Central. Come and grab a coffee and connect with the community: low stakes, chill environment, and tasty drinks. No registration is required; come as you are.

Join the Columbus AI community for our quarterly gathering — a casual, community-focused evening where everyone has a chance to share, learn, and connect. These open mic–style events give anyone in the community up to **5 minutes** to present a project, share a tool, pose a question, or offer a perspective on the evolving AI space. No slides required — just a welcoming space to exchange ideas and keep the local AI conversation moving. If you’d like to take the stage, message **Chris (the organizer)** with a **title and short description** of what you’d like to share. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.transformlabs.com/services)

NFT's are here to stay folks! This is a group for like minded people interested in understanding, leveraging, using, creating for, profiting from, trading too i suppose, NFT's.. everything around them, complexity, fear and exploits, best practices and more. **PLUS** This group will talk AI ART tools, techniques, artists, video, audio, prototypes and more in the AI assisted production space- ART specifically, but we can get into any aspect of some of the cooler things happening in AI in general.