Shows
Oxford SciBarJames Binney: A short introduction to astrophysicsAstrophysics is the science of the stars, and more widely the science of the Universe. During this stellar event, Prof James Binney presents extracts from his Very Short Introduction to Astrophysics (OUP). You will learn about the rapid expansion of the field in the last century, with vast quantities of data gathered by telescopes exploiting all parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, and the great advance of computing power, which has allowed increasingly effective mathematical modelling.2019-10-191h 10Oxford SciBarDr Tristram Wyatt on Meerkats to Moths: how animals behave and whyThis month's SciBar was all about animal behaviour, how it has evolved and how we can understand animal societies better.2018-01-191h 20Oxford SciBarOxford Scibar:Prof Sophie ScottOxford Scibar: presented by Prof Sophie Scott, on laughter and communication.2017-10-081h 07Oxford SciBarProfessor Anna Gloyn: Type 2 Diabetes - a global crisis gets personalType 2 diabetes is the epidemic of the 21st Century. There are 415 million people living with diabetes worldwide, and 90 per cent of them have Type 2. It’s increasing, costly and life-changing. Diabetes is the single largest cause of amputations, stroke, blindness and kidney failure. So are we doing enough to prevent it? Can we use our understanding of genetics to improve treatment and care? Professor Anna Gloyn (Oxford Centre for Diabetes Endocrinology & Metabolism and Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford) shares her view.2017-07-0856 minOxford SciBarDr Jennifer Coopersmith: Margaret Thatcher, lego, and the principle of least actionFind out with Dr Jennifer Coopersmith (Honorary Research Associate, University of La Trobe, Australia) how the Principle of Least Action is radically different from all that went before.2017-07-081h 03Oxford SciBarProfessor Pedro Ferreira: The Perfect Theory: a century of geniuses and the battle over general relativityEinstein’s theory of general relativity is possibly the most perfect intellectual achievement of modern physics. For almost a century now, physicists have been delving into Einstein’s theory, seeking an understanding of the history of the universe, the origin of time, and the evolution of solar systems, stars, and galaxies. Professor of Astrophysics Pedro Ferreira (University of Oxford) will tell us about the expanding universe, black holes and gravitational waves, and how general relativity has allowed scientists’ imaginations to take flight with new possibilities, revealing a universe that is much stranger than anyone ever expected.2017-03-251h 15Oxford SciBarProfessor Simon Butt: Has your brain developed normally?Most people have what society regards as a ‘normal’ brain. How does this come about? Traditionally this can be thought of as a nature versus nurture argument with genetics directing the construction of a normal brain that is then receptive to environment influences. Prof Simon Butt (University of Oxford) will talk about a recently discovered scaffold in the developing brain that acts to constrain the impact of environment, highlighting how neurodevelopment can inform our understanding of normal behaviour.2017-03-2551 minOxford SciBarSciBar - What functional brain imaging does and does not showFunctional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) produces images of the human brain at work. These are both beautiful and alluring. This means that it is easy to over-interpret them; and unfortunately the media frequently succeed in doing so. Professor Richard Passingham (Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Experimental Psychology, Oxford) explains what scans do not show and then illustrates what they can show by asking an everyday question: why it is bad to use a mobile while driving?2016-11-281h 14Oxford SciBarImmortality projects: how death drives everythingFor many years, psychologists have considered the fear of death as a central motivating factor in human behaviour and achievement. However, only for the past 30 years have psychologists tested these ideas empirically and experimentally. Dr Jonathan Jong (University of Oxford, Coventry University) evaluates the claim that death drives human behaviour, focusing in particular on religion.2016-10-0249 minOxford SciBarSciBar- Journeys in an Expanding Universe, July 2016This month's SciBar brings you talks by astronomers about exploring the mysteries of our Universe.
recorded on 29th of July 2016.2016-07-271h 24Oxford SciBarOxford SciBar Podcast June 2016: Dr Darren Jeffers - 'Where Have All The Bumblebees Gone?'Since the mid-nineteenth century, three species of bumblebee in the British Isles have gone extinct, and several other species have become so rare that they are at risk of extinction. In this talk,
Dr Darren Jeffers will discuss the causes of the decline in British bumblebees; their key role in pollination; how we might reverse the losses and the likely effects of climate change.
He will also share the results of some recent research using museum specimens of extinct species and proffers the question: Can we learn anything from these dusty depositories of ecological data to aid the conservation effort?
...2016-06-2654 minOxford SciBarOxford SciBar Podcast June 2016: Prof Mike Bonsall - 'Vector Born Disease Control'Vector-borne diseases are transmitted to humans through another living organism, such as malaria via the mosquito. This type of disease accounts for roughly 17% of all disease and causes nearly a million deaths annually.
In this talk Prof Michael Bonsall will discuss vector-borne diseases, how we might control them and how maths and modern genetics might help. He will also provide some recent insights from work in the Zoology Department in Oxford on the unfolding Zika epidemic in the Americas.
http://www.oxfordscibar.com/may-20162016-06-261h 23Oxford SciBarDr David Robert Grimes: Lies, damned lies and statisitics - how we get science coverage wrongScience and medicine have transformed our lives immeasurably, and never in history have they been more central to our lives and well-being. Yet despite this, there is often a glaring disconnect between the findings of actual science and media reporting of such topics, and consequently there is often a chasm between public perception and the evidence on many contentious topics. This can lead to needlessly adversarial and counter-productive discourse of everything from vaccination to climate-change. In this talk, physicist and science journalist Dr. David Robert Grimes discusses the frequent problems in reporting science from misunderstandings to bad statistics to false...2016-05-161h 42Oxford SciBarOxford SciBar Podcast March 2016: Prof Susan Jebb - Nutrition: Fact or FictionA poor diet is the leading cause of ill-health in the UK yet it is also one of the most contested areas of science. Is eating less saturated fat or sugar the most important factor or would the problems be solved if we ate more fruit and vegetables?.
Join us to hear Prof Susan Jebb, Professor of Diet and Population Health at the University of Oxford discuss what we know about nutrition and ask the question: once we know the theory of a healthy diet, how can we help more people to achieve the practice - education or taxation?. - Se...2016-03-201h 20Oxford SciBarOxford SciBar Podcast November 2015: Dr Helen Scales - 'Spirals in Time: Exploring the Scientific Wonder of Seashells'In her latest book, Spirals in Time, as featured on BBC Radio 4's Book of the Week, marine biologist Dr Helen Scales uncovers the secret lives of the animals that make sea shells (the molluscs) and ponders how people have used their shells for millenina as everything from sex symbols and money, to the inspiration behind new materials and medicines.
Helen delves into the fascinating science of shells and molluscs, including stories of how researchers finally solved the mystery of how so many beautiful shells are made. Come along to hear about some of the latest discoveries emerging from this...2016-01-0900 minOxford SciBarOxford SciBar Podcast September 2015: Dr Martin Graff - 'The Psychology Of Romantic Attraction'Are there gender differences in attraction? What are we looking for in a potential mate? Can you find someone attractive online?
What other features make us more or less attractive?
Listen to hear Dr Martin Graff, Reader and Head of Research in Psychology at the University of South Wales examine some of the research on romantic attraction and why attraction is important to us.2015-10-0459 minOxford SciBarOxford Scibar - July 2015 - Dr Ciara McCabe - Chocolate and the Neurobiology of DepressionHow can we use chocolate to understand the neurobiology of
depression? Join us to hear Dr Ciara McCabe discuss how we
investigate reward function in the human brain and how this is
related to depression. Find out how this information can help
explain why current medications might not be working and
how, with neuroscience, we aim to develop better, targeted
personalised treatments for depression.2015-07-301h 14Oxford SciBarJune 2015 Dr Adam Levy talks about Climate ChangeHuman-caused global warming has been making headlines for over two decades, but people’s opinions on it often depend on what headlines they’re reading. How is it that a scientific theory has become so politicised? Join us to hear Adam Levy (Nature, University of Oxford; @ClimateAdam), a climate change scientist and YouTuber, discuss the key scientific evidence behind climate change, and explain why perspectives on climate change shouldn’t be a matter of belief2015-06-211h 06Oxford SciBarOxford SciBar Podcast March 2015: Professor Alison Woollard - Worming Around For the Meaning of LifeWelcome to the tiny but well-ordered world of the nematode C. elegans. Professor Alison Woollard of the University of Oxford and presenter of the 2013 Royal Institution Christmas Lectures is a "worm person" - one who seeks answers to some of Life's most fascinating questions using this remarkable "model" organism that has so much to teach us about ourselves. How do we develop from egg to adult? How do our cells know what to do and why must some of them die? How and why do we age? Is there no limit to what you can study using "the worm"?2015-03-241h 11Oxford SciBarAn Evening of Science Comedy with Fran Day, Alison Woollard and Dean BurnettScientist, journalist, comedian and author of the quite hilarious Guardian blog Brain Flapping Dean Burnett headlines our first ever science comedy event with his "I'm A Scientist, Get Me Out of Here" show! The evening also featured Alison Woollard, Professor of Biochemistry at Oxford University and self confessed 'Worm Person' as well as Oxford particle physics PhD student and winner of the recent Oxford heat of FameLab, Francesca Day.2015-02-281h 31Oxford SciBarOxford SciBar Podcast January 2015: Professor Chris Ponting - In Your DNAIn Your DNA - The Evolutionary Journey of your Genome
Our evolutionary heritage shared with primates, fish and even bugs is written in our DNA. These 3 billion letters of our 'book of life' were written by evolution over millions, if not billions, of years and are still revealing many surprises.2015-01-261h 23Oxford SciBarDr Peter Scarborough - Should we all become vegan to save the planet?Join us to hear Dr Peter Scarborough discuss the role of
meat in sustainability and dietary health and find out
whether cutting back on meat could make you and the
planet more healthy.2014-11-251h 04Oxford SciBarOxford SciBar Podcast Oct 2014: Chris Lintott and Grant Miller - Where Do Aliens Live?Where do aliens live?
We have yet to discover other life in our galaxy, but we have a good idea where it might be! Join us to hear astrophysicists Grant Miller and Chris Lintott(BBC Sky At Night) from the citizen science project Zooniverse to discuss exoplanets and their potential habitability.2014-11-011h 03Oxford SciBarOxford Scibar: March 20th 2014 Prof Colin Goding - Why Haven't We Cured Cancer?Around half of people diagnosed with cancer die of the disease, and despite the enormous advances made over recent decades surgery remains the most effective treatment.
Prof Colin Goding discusses what the barriers are to effective anti-cancer treatment and how these can be overcome.2014-03-281h 08Oxford SciBarOxford Scibar: February 26th 2014 Dr Aubrey De Grey - A Roadmap to End AgingAging is merely a disease -- and a curable one at that, argues Dr. Aubrey de Grey. His comprehensive plan for rejuvenation therapy breaks aging down into seven major classes and identifies detailed approaches to addressing each one. In this talk, Dr. de Grey will explain why therapies that can add 30 healthy years to the remaining lifespan of typical 60-year-olds may well arrive within the next few decades. Dr. Aubrey de Grey is the Chief Science Officer of SENS Foundation, a biomedical research charity, based in the US and UK, that aims to develop, promote, and ensure widespread access to...2014-03-011h 13
Oxford SciBar Podcast 2013Oxford Scibar: December 2013 Dr Andrew Wilkinson - Forensic Science - Facts and FictionDr Andrew Wilkinson was the speaker at our December SciBar, speaking about the facts and fiction of Forensic Science.
It has been glamorised in movies and on TV but what is it really like to be a Forensic Scientist? Dr Andrew Wilkinson will take us through a day in the life of a forensic medical examiner. Will it be all blue lights and mirrored sunglasses?2014-01-1354 minOxford SciBar Podcast 2013Oxford Scibar: November 2013 Dr Harry Witchel - Can Body Language Save The World?Can you tell when someone is attracted to you, but dare not say so? Does music have the power to change us physically? Do students really cough more during lectures they don't like? Dr Harry Witchel will introduce us to all the subtle ways we communicate with our body2013-12-011h 25Oxford SciBar Podcast 2013Oxford Scibar: October 2013 Dr Frances Ashcroft - The Spark of LifeElectricity in the Human Body
How does a heart beat and can someone really die of fright? The answers to these questions lie in electrical signals that are essential to everything we do. Professor Frances Ashcroft will explain how these signals are produced and how they govern every aspect of life. From your ability to see and hear to how your brain and muscles work - we truly are the body electric!2013-10-2251 minOxford SciBar Podcast 2013August SciBar - Interview with Dr Mike Goldsmith on Discord: the Story of NoiseAn interview with our August speaker, Dr Mike Goldsmith, on the battle between people and noise - a battle that has changed our lives and moulded our societies.2013-08-2112 minOxford SciBar Podcast 2013July 2013 SciBar - Of Cells, Plants and JellyfishJoin us to hear Dr. Anne Osterrieder take us through the complex and dynamic makings of a plant cell...2013-07-2253 minOxford SciBar Podcast 2013June 26th 2013 SciBar: Dr Martin Christlieb & Dr Ruth Travis - Coffee and Cancer: How Do we Know For Sure?How do we know whether something causes or cures cancer? The pivotal figure was Sir Austin Bradford Hill - he taught us how to think about cancer, he set up the first randomised clinical trials and left a legacy in Oxford that continues to lead the world today.
Listen to Dr Martin Christlieb and Dr Ruth Travis to find out how cancer works and how Oxford is continuing to uncover what should and shouldn't cause concern.2013-06-3052 minOxford SciBar Podcast 2013June 2013 SciBar: Dr Lewis Dartnell - Astrobiology: The Hunt For Alien LifeAstrobiology explores the origins and limits of life and where life might exist beyond Earth. But what is "life" and how did it emerge on our own world?
Where in the cosmos might we expect to find ET?
Dr Lewis Dartnell takes us on a tour of other planets and moons in our solar system, and even further afield to alien worlds we've discovered orbiting distant stars to explore one of the greatest questions ever asked: Are we alone??2013-06-2658 minOxford SciBar Podcast 2013Oxford SciBar Podcast May 16th 2013 - Prof Charles Spence: "The senses and the body - do you know which body is yours?"Do you know which body is yours? Do you ever confuse your left and right? Prof. Charles Spence, Head
of the Crossmodal Research Lab at Oxford University took us on a tour of the latest findings from
psychology and neuroscience concerning the body in the brain, and the role of what we see in what we
feel. Find out how bodily illusions can cool you down, and even reduce swelling.2013-05-221h 12Oxford SciBar Podcast 2013Oxford SciBar Podcast May 15th 2013 - Prof Chris Schofield: "Oxford Oxygen Stories - from penicillin to hypoxia sensing ?"In May we were delighted to be part of the inaugural Pint of Science Festival, where we hosted a series of talks focused on the body. The second of these talks was with Prof Chris Schofield who told us Oxford oxygen stories!
How did the discovery of penicillin lead to an understanding of how we survive in high altitude, how cells sense oxygen and why it is linked to tumour growth as well as why "identical" twins are different.2013-05-161h 09Oxford SciBar Podcast 2013Oxford SciBar Podcast May 14th 2013 - Dr Sean O'Heigeartaigh: "Human Evolution - What does the future hold?"In May we were delighted to be part of the inaugural Pint of Science Festival, where we hosted a series of talks focused on the body. The first of these talks was by Dr Sean O'Heigeartaigh who spoke about how evolution created who we are today, and what might be in store for us as a species in the future.
As we come closer to the stage where we can radically after both our bodies and our minds, could technologies such as genetic engineering, informatics and brain emulation redefine what it means to be human in the coming century.2013-05-161h 19Oxford SciBar Podcast 2013April 2013 SciBar Professor Michael Trimble: Why Humans like to CryHumans are the only species that likes to weep for emotional reasons, but why is crying unique to humanity? Professor Michael Trimble explains when in our evolutionary journey we first recognised the tragedy of life.2013-04-2253 minOxford SciBar Podcast 2013Oxford Scibar podcast for March 2013Dr Jim Bennett talks about the future of science museums in Oxford.2013-03-301h 00Oxford SciBar Podcast 2013February 2013 Oxford SciBar Podcast: Dr Joey O'Gorman - Creativity and Science: Dispatches from the Art WorldDr.Joey O'Gorman discusses several issues at the interface of art and science and asks the pertinent question: 'Where is the Art in Science?'2013-03-011h 09Oxford SciBar Podcast 2013January 2013 Oxford SciBar Podcast: Dr Sonia Contera - Is nanotechnology the future of medicine?Dr Sonia Contera discuss the emerging and exciting field of nanomedicine and what nanotechnology holds for the future of medicine.2013-02-0652 min
Oxford SciBar Podcast 2011Oxford SciBar Podcast Nov 2011 - Prof Frank Close: "Neutrino"Theoretical physicist at Oxford university Professor Frank Close sheds some more light on those curious particles: Neutrinos
What are they and why does nature need them?
Neutrinos are some of the most enigmatic particles in the universe. Listen to Professor Frank Close give an account of the discovery of neutrinos and our growing understanding of their significance.
Enjoy!2013-02-0653 minOxford SciBar Podcast 2011Oxford SciBar Podcast, Aug 2011: Dr Jim Baggot - The Quantum StoryUtterly beautiful and profoundly disconcerting. Quantum theory is the most successful account of the physical universe ever devised. Listen to hear Jim Baggott discuss the stories, personalities and the rivalries.2013-02-0657 minOxford SciBar Podcast 2011Oxford SciBar Podcast, Apr 2011: Dr Jim Caryl - "Good drugs and bad bugs: the invisible war"In April, Dr Jim Caryl spoke about the antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in the environment and clinical settings.
Enjoy!2013-02-051h 03Oxford SciBar Podcast 2011Oxford SciBar Podcast, May 2011: Dr Zena Kamash - "Is Archaeology a science?"In May Dr Zena Kamash's talk "Is archaeology a science?" covered the techniques and methods of archaeological excavation, analysis and interpretation and explored whether these methods can be considered "scientific".
Enjoy!2013-02-051h 13Oxford SciBar Podcast 2011Oxford SciBar Podcast, June 2011: Dr Ed Hutchinson – Bacteria and viruses: Getting to know your closest companionsA microscopic zoo inhabits our bodies. Some things in it do us good, some hurt us, but most we never even notice.
In June Dr Ed Hutchinson's talk "Bacteria and viruses: getting to know your closest companions" discussed the microscopic zoo that inhabits our bodies covering what they are, what they do and what we can do about them.
Enjoy!2013-02-0550 minOxford SciBar Podcast 2011Oxford SciBar Podcast Dec 2011 Frank Swain: "How to make a zombie"From Italian galvanisers to Russian reanimators, join science writer and journalist Frank Swain as he takes us on a tour of the most iconoclastic pursuit in science: attempts to raise the dead!
From its clumsy origins in Renaissance Europe to its refinement in modern science, you’ll meet the heretics, witchdoctors, mind-controllers and ultimately, the scientists quietly breaking down the frontiers of death.
Enjoy!2013-02-051h 06Oxford SciBar Podcast 2011Oxford SciBar Podcast July 2011 Dr Evan Harris: "Evidence based policy"Dr Evan Harris ex MP and guardian political science writer discusses the issues involved in evidence based policy and why we are still waiting for government to adopt the practise.
Enjoy!2013-02-051h 34Oxford SciBar Podcast 2011SciBar: October 2011: Prof. Russell Stannard: The End of Discovery.Prof Russell Stannard, author, physicist and broadcaster will discuss his latest book, The End of Discovery: are we approaching the boundaries of the knowable?
It is generally thought that science, by its very nature, must always progress. But this is not so. One day, fundamental science will come to an end. Not when we have discovered everything, but when we have discovered whatever is open to us to understand - which is not the same thing.
Limitations as to what the human brain can comprehend, together with practical considerations to do with the need for ever more elaborate and expensive...2013-02-051h 00Oxford SciBar Podcast 2011Oxford SciBar Podcast Sept 2011 - Prof Peter Atkins: "On Being: A Scientists Exporation"Peter Atkins explores the themes and questions posed by his book "On Being: A Scientists exploration of the great questions of existence" for the Oxford SciBar.2013-02-0548 min