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 North Walsham in Norfolk and oversees the event calendar remotely. So while he may not attend 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
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Royal Institution "How to grow a quantum computer"
The Royal Institution, The Royal Institution 21 Albemarle Street London W1S 4BS,, United Kingdom, GBThis is a theatre and livestream talk from the Royal Institution of Great Britain. What could replace silicon in the quantum age? Theoretical physicist Felix Flicker explores the remarkable materials powering tomorrow's computers.
ADVANCE BOOKING AND PAYMENT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS TALK.
More details and booking instructions on the RI web site:https://www.rigb.org/whats-on/how-grow-quantum-computer
SUMMARY
Computers were once the size of large rooms. This changed when physicists came to understand a new state of matter: the semiconductor. From that point on, we learnt to grow computers from crystals of silicon.These days the race is on to build a practical quantum computer. These are again the size of large rooms. What we need is a silicon for the 21st century featuring a new quantum state of matter.
Theoretical physicist Felix Flicker returns to the Ri to discuss some possible candidates for these quantum crystals, including a naturally occurring mineral which features some (but not all) of the necessary properties.
Copies of Felix's book "The Magick of Matter: Crystals, Chaos and the Wizardry of Physics" are available from here. Please note copies of the book will not be available to purchase at the Ri.
This is a theatre and livestream event for an adult audience, where the speakers and audience in our Theatre are joined by our audience online.
The livestream will go live around 6.55pm, and the talk will begin at 7.00pm. 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.
By booking to attend events at the Royal Institution, you confirm that you have read and accept the Ri's event terms and conditions. You also agree to abide by our code of conduct, and help to create a great experience for yourself and your fellow participants.
5 attendees
Royal Institution "The new normal: how weather whiplash is shaping our lives"
The Royal Institution, The Royal Institution 21 Albemarle Street London W1S 4BS,, United Kingdom, GBThis is a theatre and livestream talk from the Royal Institution of Great Britain. A series of three enlightening short talks uncovering the technology helping us overcome the severe impacts of changing weather systems, presented by the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
ADVANCE BOOKING AND PAYMENT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS TALK.
More details and booking instructions on the RI web site:https://www.rigb.org/whats-on/new-normal-how-weather-whiplash-shaping-our-lives
SUMMARY
It feels like there's no such thing as a normal year anymore; it's either too wet or too dry, and we seem to go from drought to floods and back again within the space of a few months, which we call 'weather whiplash'. Floods and droughts cause crop failures, destroy homes, and make taps run dry.Climate models suggest we need to get used to it, adapting our food systems and the way we use water, but the impacts to the same events seem so different in different parts of the country. Why does the same amount of rain cause flooding in one place but not another? Why does a dry spell cause a drought in one year but not the next? It's because of the hidden hydrology that shapes our landscapes.
Join scientists from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology to uncover the secret memories of past weather that landscapes hold, ask what the future looks like as rainfall, droughts and other weather, become more extreme, and discover the actions we can all take to protect one of life's most precious resources. They'll explore the new technologies which are reshaping our understanding of not just our changing climate, but the impact it has on our lives.
This talk is presented in collaboration with the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
This is a theatre and livestream event for an adult audience, where the speakers and audience in our Theatre are joined by our audience online.
The livestream will go live around 6.55pm, and the talk will begin at 7.00pm. 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.
By booking to attend events at the Royal Institution, you confirm that you have read and accept the Ri's event terms and conditions. You also agree to abide by our code of conduct, and help to create a great experience for yourself and your fellow participants.
5 attendees
Henley Café Sci: Maerl
Henley Hockey Club, 353 Reading Road, Henley-on-Thames, GBBasingstoke Science Cafe enthusiasts are invited to the in-person talk hosted by Henley Cafe Scientifique on “Maerl”.
Please try to avoid last minute bookings. It can cause lots of administration especially when we are full. Thank you
To attend, please email the Henley Café Sci organiser directly at:
cafescihenley@gmail.comCafé Scientifique organises talks, usually given by scientists, followed by questions from the audience in the second half. They are a great opportunity to explore the latest ideas in science and technology, you don't need to be a scientist to enjoy the evening, everyone is welcome to ask a question or make a comment. Join us for tonight's talk:
SUMMARY
‘Maerl’ (from the Breton) is a collective term for various species of non-jointed coralline red algae (Corallinaceae) that live unattached.
It can form extensive beds, either on the open coast or in tide-swept channels of marine inlets. As maerl requires light to photosynthesize, the depth of live beds is restricted to about 40 m.Maerl beds may be composed of living maerl, dead maerl or varying proportions of both. They support high biodiversity and grow extremely slowly so are now protected under European and domestic legislation.
They are widely distributed in western Ireland and north-west Scotland, but rare in England. There has been a lot of excitement around maerl beds newly discovered near Falmouth, Cornwall, by Natural England in 2023.
SPEAKER:
Professor Christine Maggs, Queens University Belfast
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HOW TO BOOK
These events can be very popular and MUST be booked in advance.To book your places(s) please email the Henley Café Sci organiser directly at cafescihenley@gmail.com. When he has confirmed your booking, please RSVP here so that we know you are coming and can look out for you.
The booking process remains as before
1. Café-Sci announce an event by sending members this announcement email
2. You respond by requesting a registration to attend live
3. If you subsequently find you are not able to attend, please advise as often there is a waitlist
4. You attend at the newly refurbished Henley Hockey Club, where a few members bring their own cushions
5. Avoid the Tesco Car Park, gates close at 9pm.
6. If we cancel, the notice will go those who registeredTIMING AND REFRESHMENTS
Please arrive from 7pm for a 7:30 start. Usual format is 45 min talk followed by 45 Q&A. Liquid refreshments are available at the bar and the Coffee/Tea kitchen in the newly refurbished Hockey ClubAdmission is free, but the organisers ask for a voluntary contribution from about £3.
DIRECTIONS:
If coming into Henley along the Reading Road turn right at the roundabout towards Tesco, then first left and left again into the hockey club car park. The entrance is near the far end.Avoid the Tesco Car park, gates close at 9pm.
Romsey Cafe Sci: "A Diversity of Moons"
Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium, Telegraph Way, Winchester SO21 1HZ, UK, Winchester, GBThis is an in-person talk hosted by Romsey Science Cafe. Basingstoke Science Cafe enthusiasts are invited to attend the Cafe Scientifique Romsey talk on “A Diversity of Moons” delivered by Prof Malcolm Coe, Southampton University.
Please book in advance to reserve your place.
For more details of past and future talks and how to book for this talk, please see our web site.
https://www.cafscientifiqueromsey.com/Please try to avoid last minute bookings. It can cause lots of administration especially when we are full. Thank you
Bookings will open on Thursday 12 November at 0800 and then click cafscirom@gmail.com to book.
Please note this is a visit to the Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium, Telegraph Way, Winchester SO21 1HZDoors/bar/café open 19.00, talk starts 19.30 and will be followed by a planetarium show.
On this occasion we will not be requesting a donation on entry.
Romsey Science Cafe has become one of the largest and most active Cafés. Recordings of most past meetings are on our YouTube channel.
Past events
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