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
10
Gresham College: "Forging Better Futures for You and AI"
Barnard's Inn Hall, High Holborn, EC1N 2HH, 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/speakers/professor-robin-maySUMMARY
#### Part of:
AI As Your Overlord: Assimilation, Acceptance or Resistance?
In this last lecture, I will work to wake us from the AI as Overlord spell. We will explore other possible futures, looking first look at the potential of AI fitting in with us: things we can chat to; humanoid robots; or even devices that draw on understandings of pets to make them more palatable and pleasing. Secondly, I’ll suggest a way to weave AI into everyday life: as a “simple” instrument to enable our souls to sing.
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. 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.
2 attendees
Reading Cafe Scientifique: Starfish before they were star-shaped
ZeroDegrees, 9 Bridge StreetReading, RG1 2LR, Reading, GBBasingstoke Science Cafe members are invited to the in-person Science in Reading event "Starfish before they were star-shaped" delivered by Lucy Jackson - University of Reading.
SiR monthly meetups are held upstairs at Zero Degrees (9 Bridge St, Reading RG1 2LR) from 7pm.
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!
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 Starfish before they were star-shaped (Lucy Jackson - University of Reading)
8:20pm Comfort Break
8:30pm Q&A
9:00pm Networking
9:30pm EndStarfish before they were star-shaped (Lucy Jackson - University of Reading)
Starfish and sea urchins are star-shaped marine invertebrates called echinoderms. How they evolved this unique symmetry is a mystery. We can find fossil ancestors of modern starfish and close relatives in rocks as far back as 520 million-years ago, some of which were not star-shaped at all and instead had bizarre, asymmetrical body plans that would not look out of place in an alien world. This talk will introduce you to some of the strangest of these fossils, discussing how they lived and how current palaeontological research is using them to piece together the early evolution of echinoderms.SPEAKER
Lucy is a second-year PhD student at the University of Reading and Natural History Museum, London, and is an Associate Researcher at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. Her background is in Geology and she received an MEarthSci in Earth Sciences from the University of Oxford in 2024. Lucy's research investigates the early evolution of starfish and their relatives. She uses CT-scanning to study 500-million-year-old fossils from museums around the world and applies computational methods to understand how fossil species were related to each other. Alongside her research, she is involved with a wide range of teaching and public events relating to palaeobiology across her affiliated institutions.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 normally 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)
Salisbury Cafe Sci: "The Onset of Modern-Style Plate Tectonics."
Salisbury Rugby Football Club, Castle Road, Wiltshire, GBThis is an in-person talk hosted by Salisbury Science Cafe. Everyone from Basingstoke Science Cafe is more than welcome to attend and we look forward to seeing you!
The June Talk will be given by Professor Craig Storey who will be talking about The Onset of Modern-Style Plate Tectonics.
More details at the Salisbury Science Cafe web site below:
The web site is down at present - apologies from Salisbury Cafe ScientifiqueSUMMARY
Since the 1960s we have accepted the plate tectonic paradigm as being central to how our planet operates at the present day. However, there is much ongoing debate as to when plate tectonics began and how similar it was to the current observable mode. In this talk Prof. Storey will review (some of) the “hallmarks” of plate tectonics, their first appearance and secular evolution, and speculate on when it all began and how it evolved.ABOUT OUR TALKS
We thank you for your attendance at our talks and look forward to seeing you this evening.Our regular programme of Café Scientifique Salisbury events are free to attend and there is no need to book places. For special events, there may be a small charge and booking may be required but these are typically in addition to the usual programme of events. Keep up to date with all our activities via Twitter, Facebook or sign up to our mailing list. Feel free to contact us with any queries although you may find the answer you need in our Frequently Asked Questions.
There are collection tins at the venue and any donations are gratefully received but recommend a minimum of £3. We use these to help cover running costs and make modest contributions to speaker's expenses (only where necessary; speakers are not paid to give talks and, in most cases, they cover their own expenses too).
Events open at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start unless otherwise indicated.
Past events
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