Cafe Scientifique

"Cafe Scientifique is a place where, for the price of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, anyone can come to explore the latest ideas in science and technology. Meetings take place in cafes, bars, restaurants and even theatres, but always outside a traditional academic context."

At a Cafe Scientifique, you don't come just for a public lecture, but to participate in a public conversation. Anyone is welcome to come along and join in. A main speaker presents on a topic in science and technology, then there's a break for tea and coffee, followed by a discussion on the topic of the day.

There are a number of Cafe Scientifiques throughout the UK and in many other countries. Cafe Scientifique in Durham takes place at Ustinov College, and is affiliated to the Ustinov Seminar.

Ustinov College is next to the Howlands Farm Park & Ride and is number 52 on the online map. When you reach the turning at the traffic lights on South Road, follow the driveway all the way to the end. You'll see a black sign with the Ustinov College crest. Fisher House is the building just behind the sign.

N.B. The Park & Ride closes at 7 p.m., so parking there is not advised.

Noel Cameron, professor of human biology from the school of sport, exercise and health sciences, Loughborough University; and Lynnette Leidy Sievert, Professor of anthropology at UMass, Amherst and Durham IAS will be discussing the impact of both menarche and menopause on women’s health. This is an opportunity to hear from two leaders in the field of reproductive ecology and growth research who will look at the health impacts of milestone events in women’s reproductive lives.

Join us for drinks and nibbles on 17th May at 5.30 in Fisher House.

Past Events

CSI Durham, Tuesday 24th April, 5.30 pm

Tim James, specialist at Teeside University in forensic and crime scene science, is delivering a seminar looking at case histories and his work with Durham and Staffordshire Police services investigating crime scenes. Tim will also be demonstrating forensic techniques with the opportunity to participate. All welcome.

Ustinov College Café Scientifique

"What has plant Science done for me? GM crops: a good or a bad thing?"
February 25th, 5 pm, Coffee Shop, Ustinov College

GM crops produce many products in our daily lives. Many of them we don't notice and take for granted. In Europe GM crops are looked upon with suspicion while in the USA and developing countries they are looked upon as the way foward for agriculture. Why is this so?

Don't settle for news headlines: "Scientists say..." This event is an excellent opportunity to ask the experts and decision makers on the subject face-to-face questions that you think are important.

If you are pro, anti or not sure about it yet and want to find out more, this is YOUR chance to contribute to the debate. Everyone is invited!

Confirmed speakers: Prof. Marc Knight and Dr. John Gatehouse of Durham University

Durham Cafe Scientifique @ Ustinov College

The Nucleus – A friendly introduction

Why it is not all bad

5.30 pm, Wednesday, 10th June

Fisher House, Howlands Farm, Ustinov College

Speakers: Chris Done, Christopher Orme and Graham Pearson

Please email zilia.iskoujina[AT]durham.ac.uk for further details

Durham Café Scientifique @ Ustinov College

Charles Fernyhough will be discussing:

‘WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE A SMALL CHILD? ’

None of us have accurate memories from our early childhood. But with the latest scientific knowledge about what babies perceive, feel and understand, we can begin to imagine what it must be like to live through this fascinating and mysterious time.

March 19th Thursday 6-7.30pm, Howlands Farm, Fisher House

Durham Café Scientifique @ Ustinov College

Dr. Gustav Kuhn will be taking about ‘The science of Magic’

Magicians use misdirection to systematically orchestrate people’s attention so as to manipulate what they see.
Misdirection may therefore provide us with valuable insights into how humans see.
In this cafe Gustav will draw parallels between magic and science, and illustrate how these principles can be investigated scientifically.
Questions that will be addressed include: Why do we see things that have never taken place? And most importantly how does the magician hide his elephant?

February 19th Thursday 6-7.20pm, Fisher House

Cafe Scientifique, Thursday 29 January 2009, 6.00pm, Fisher House, Ustinov College

Smashing Particles at the Large Hadron Collider

The largest most exciting scientific experiment in history is just about to begin.

What is it, and what does it hope to achieve?

Speakers: Callum Durnford, Chris Orme, Sophy Palmer

from the Institute of Particle Physics Phenomenology, Durham

Video in Youtube from Cafe Scientifique: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuwCuz5zy6o

Another version of the video: http://www.box.net/shared/7hudfz1tl0