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
8
Royal Institution "Einstein Telescope: Discovery and diplomacy"
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. Theoretical physicist, and President-elect of the International Science Council, Robbert Dijkgraaf explores what makes the Einstein Telescope so important.
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/einstein-telescope-discovery-and-diplomacy
SUMMARY
The Einstein Telescope, currently planned for operation in 2035, will be one of the most powerful tools for detecting gravitational waves and testing the theory of General Relativity. Not only is it a wonder of scientific design, but it's also a platform for international cooperation and innovation.In this talk, theoretical physicist Robbert Dijkgraaf will delve into the details of what makes the Einstein Telescope so special. What does it do, what are we hoping to learn, and how can scientific collaboration between countries be a valuable source of soft power?
Once constructed, the telescope is expected to provide scientists with some of the most sensitive equipment ever for answering some of these fundamental questions. As well as testing Einstein's general theory of relativity, it will be able to search for dark matter, help unlock the secrets of the early universe, and teach us more about black holes and neutron stars.
This talk is presented in collaboration with the Embassy of the Netherlands.
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 7.20pm, and the talk will begin at 7.30pm. 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.
3 attendees
Reading Cafe Scientifique: Alien AI – the silence is deafening
ZeroDegrees, 9 Bridge StreetReading, RG1 2LR, Reading, GBBasingstoke Science Cafe members are invited to the in-person Science in Reading event Alien AI – the silence is deafening ( – Deputy Chief Clinical Information Officer)
SiR monthly meetups are held upstairs at Zero Degrees (9 Bridge St, Reading RG1 2LR) from 7pm.
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 Alien AI – the silence is deafening (William Flannery – Deputy Chief Clinical Information Officer)
8:20pm Comfort Break
8:30pm Q&A
9:00pm Networking
9:30pm EndAlien AI – the silence is deafening (William Flannery – Deputy Chief Clinical Information Officer)
Exploring Fermi’s Paradox and the case for biological intelligence being simply a stepping stone to machine intelligence.SPEAKER
William Flannery is a Consultant ENT Surgeon specialising in paediatrics. He has served as Deputy Chief Clinical Information Officer at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust since 2020. He has been closely involved in the Trust’s data and digital programme since the Electronic Patient Record went live in 2017. He is a founder member of the Health Data Institute (HDI), which provides the organisational and governance framework for the Trust’s local Secure Data Environment. The Institute promotes data and digital awareness across the Trust and supports both internal and external research and innovation in Health AI.He was appointed Clinical Director of the HDI in March 2024. His responsibilities include oversight of regulatory and legal compliance, ethics and consent relating to the use of retrospective health data, and the development of relationships with external academic, NHS and industry partners. He also chairs the HDI Steering Group, which forms part of the Trust’s Data Access Committee governance structure. From 2022 to 2025, he was a Visiting Fellow in Computer Science at the University of Reading. He co-founded the Clinical Data Science Research Group whose core operating model was pairing clinicians with academics to produce leading edge, health data science solutions to improve patient care, patient safety and address health inequalities. This operating model has been adopted by the HDI.
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)
1 attendee
Reading Geek Night – Who Gets to Build?
ZeroDegrees, 9 Bridge StreetReading, RG1 2LR, Reading, GBBasingstoke Science Cafe members are invited to the in-person Science in Reading event "Who Gets to Build?" delivered by Sam Chaher & Fiorella Illes.
More details and booking can be made at the following Meetup site:
https://www.meetup.com/science-in-reading/events/317177110SiR 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 Who Gets to Build? (Sam Chaher & Fiorella Illes)
- 8:30pm Short announcements/updates*
- 8:35pm Pub Quiz (Please bring a pencil & paper)
- 9:30pm End(Networking and beers downstairs)
Who Gets to Build? (Sam Chaher & Fiorella Illes)
For decades, turning an idea into working software meant either learning to code or finding someone who could. AI is changing that equation. What happens when the people closest to a problem suddenly have the tools to solve it themselves? And does building something useful still require being a software engineer?In this talk, Sam and Fi share their experience building Censara, an AI-native recruitment platform, without traditional software engineering backgrounds. They’ll challenge some of the conventional wisdom around AI-assisted development and ‘vibe coding’, exploring the opportunities, misconceptions and trade-offs involved in building real software for real customers.
More broadly, they’ll explore what this new era of building means for startups, businesses and anyone who’s ever thought, “Surely there’s a better way to do this?”
Sam is Co-Founder of Censara, founder of Hyre AI, and Co-Director of Thames Valley Artificial Intelligence (TVAI). With a background in AI recruitment, entrepreneurship and database development, he combines technical curiosity with firsthand industry experience. He’s passionate about solving recruitment’s longstanding challenges by building technology that’s shaped by recruiters’ perspectives.
Fi is Co-Founder of Censara and Internship Schemes Manager at the University of Reading. With a background in employability, career development and recruitment, she’s passionate about improving candidate experience and exploring how AI can support more human-centred hiring. She’s a driving force behind Censara’s approach to candidate-facing AI, ensuring technology empowers recruiters to deliver better experiences for applicants.
About Reading Geek Night
A friendly and welcoming community for enthusiasts.
Every second Tuesday of the month Reading Geek Night has talks on various topics about science, tech, design & geekery. The usual format is to gather from 7:00pm and commence the talks at 7:30pm. Talks are ~20mins + Q&A with a break of 20mins for networking and beer.*Before the second session there is an opportunity for any short announcements so please let us know on the night if you would like a slot or 1-2mins.
Look forward to seeing you there!
Get involved and support the community
If you would like to get involved with your local #rdggeek community by giving a talk or hosting a quiz at an upcoming event please contact us via twitter: @RDGGeekNight, Facebook or email us: **talks [at] rdggeeknight.org**Speaking slot availability can be found via the website.
1 attendee
Winchester Science Centre: Night Sky Live returns!
Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium, Telegraph Way, Winchester SO21 1HZ, UK, Winchester, GBWinchester Science Centre invite our subscribers to an upcoming show that may be of interest to everyone at Basingstoke Science Cafe.
More details and bookings can be seen at the following web address:
https://www.winchestersciencecentre.org/whats-on/night-sky-live-novemberSUMMARY:
### Are you ready for a family astro adventure? Head outside with us and discover the stars and planets of the night sky, live!
Have you ever looked up into the sky at night and wondered what you’re seeing? Well now you don’t have to! Begin your Night Sky Live adventure in the Planetarium. Learn the skills you’ll need to identify what’s above us before following the stargazing host outside into the South Downs National Park. It’s the perfect spot to observe the stars, constellations and planets.
Night Sky Live is part of our After Dark evening events.. Head off on a new adventure each time as we explore something new together at each event. There are two showtimes available.
### Your Night Sky Live ticket includes:
- Planetarium experience
- A stargazing experience outside
- Digital guide
Don’t forget to dress for the weather. We also recommend bringing a torch and a blanket - it's great to stargaze while laying down. There will be no outdoor seating so feel free to bring a camping chair.
### Cloudy weather?
We all know the British weather is unpredictable! But don’t worry. If the clouds or rain get in our way, we’ll continue the experience inside from the comfort of the Planetarium.
### Did you know...
Our location in the South Downs National Park is an International Dark Sky Reserve. That means that starry nights in the area have been declared as exceptional quality and the environment is protected for its scientific, natural and educational value. Wow!
### Accessibility information for Night Sky Live
The Planetarium is accessible so everyone can have a special experience here. Every show is relaxed with quiet and calm presentations. It's not super dark and you can move around, go out and come back in if you like. If you have a wheelchair, we have spaces for you to sit with seats for your family and friends. The stairs have lights to make them easy to see.
The outdoor stargazing area is reached from the lower floor of the Science Centre. There is lift access. The space is mostly grass but there is a small hard-standing area if needed.Please note a £2.50 transaction fee will be added to the total booking cost at checkout.
Past events
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