With the return of the KCA Deutag Discovery Series, TechFest In September is pleased to present a varied selection of fascinating speakers to inspire, entertain and above all provoke thought.
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Evening Presentations |
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Bloodhound Revisited |
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 In 2009 Richard Noble held the Beach Ballroom spellbound as he outlined a dream project to build a car capable of driving at 1000 mph, as well as using the project to inspire children nationwide.
Two years later Bloodhound is finally in construction, the 'track' is being developed and thousands of schools are involved in the accompanying education project. Richard is returning to Aberdeen to open the Discovery Series and update us on the challenges and successes of this remarkable mission.
To book your tickets for this event, click here.
Subject Areas : Discovery Series,
Event Type : Evening Presentations
Venue : Fraser Noble Building, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen
Time : 7:30pm
Date : 15 September 2011
Essential Information : When: Thursday 15th September, 7.30 pm Tickets: £5 Adult and £3.50 Concession (+bf)
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Is Water more Valuable than Gold? |
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Scotland has an abundance of the world's most valuable liquid asset, water.  Much of the Earth is not so fortunate. In 2001 The World Health Organisation reported that 1 billion people were affected by water shortages and contamination. By 2025, it is expected that two-thirds of the world's population will experience water shortages. Today in the Middle East water is more valuable than oil. It is possible that a future world war could be fought over access to water. Water really is a rapidly diminishing liquid asset.
In this thought provoking presentation Peter Robertson will consider some of the issues around global water sustainability and the emerging technologies that may help mitigate some of these challenges.
To book tickets for this event, please click here.
Subject Areas : Discovery Series,
Event Type : Evening Presentations
Presented By : Professor Peter Robertson
Venue : Fraser Noble Lecture Theatre
Time : 7:30
Date : 16 September 2011
Essential Information : When: Friday 16th September, 7:30 pm Tickets £5 Adult and £3.50 Concession (+bf)
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What Makes Us Happy? |
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It is generally assumed that the pursuit of happiness is one of the main aims of life. For many decades it was believed that higher incomes would lead to happiness and GDP was therefore able to indicate what makes populations happy, but now experts increasingly disagree.
Neurologists can tell us which parts of the brain are associated with happiness;
Psychologists can tell us how individuals can manage their lives in order to be happy;
Sociologists can tell us what sort of society we need to ensure happiness.
Professor Wallace has studied wellbeing in European societies and has demonstrated that there are aspects of our social environment that can explain a lot about how happy we are. These things can be formed by public policy and it is therefore in our own power to create the circumstances that will lead to happier lives.
To book tickets for this event, please click here.
Subject Areas : Discovery Series,
Event Type : Evening Presentations
Presented By : Professor Claire Wallace
Venue : Fraser Noble Lecture Theatre
Time : 6:30pm
Date : 19 September 2011
Essential Information : When: Monday 19th September, 6:30pm Tickets: £5 Adult and £3.50 Concession (+bf)
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The End of Discovery |
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We live in an age of great scientific progress, but will fundamental science discoveries one day grind to a halt?
Russell Stannard,Professor Emeritus at the Open University, gives his reasons for suggesting this and explores those lines of scientific research which may already have come up against the boundaries of what can be known.
To book tickets for this event, please click here.
Subject Areas : Discovery Series,
Event Type : Evening Presentations
Presented By : Professor Russell Stannard
Venue : Fraser Noble Lecture Theatre
Time : 8pm
Date : 19 September 2011
Essential Information : When: Monday 19th September, 8 pm Tickets: £5 Adult and £3.50 Concession (+bf)
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Wildlife Forensics |
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Applying Forensic Techniques to Wildlife Crime Investigation.
Ross McEwing is the senior scientist at the Wildgenes Laboratory in Edinburgh. His research focuses on the use of DNA techniques to conserve and monitor  threatened animal species in the UK and abroad. In addition, Ross is one of only a handful of specialist wildlife forensic scientists in the world and this work takes him to Africa and Asia to assist with training park wardens and prosecuting the illegal traders of animals and their parts.
Introducing the audience to the uses of DNA in wildlife conservation Ross will also demonstrate its use in the detection of crime relating to wildlife including real case examples from the UK and around the world.
To book tickets for this event, please click here.
Subject Areas : Discovery Series,
Event Type : Evening Presentations
Presented By : Ross McEwing
Venue : Fraser Noble Lecture Theatre
Time : 7:30pm
Date : 20 September 2011
Essential Information : When: Tuesday 20th September, 7:30pm Tickets: £5 Adult and £3.50 Concession (+bf)
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Archaeology & The Genetics Revolution |
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New Ways of Exploring the Past
Celebrating Scottish Archaeology Month
We are currently witnessing a revolution in science, specifically in the field of genetics. This revolution is resonating through the fields of medicine, agriculture, evolutionary ecology and even archaeology, where it is providing us with powerful new tools to explore the past. In this talk Professor Dobney will outline  how our ability to recover ancient bio-molecules from long-dead organisms is providing unique information on our own evolutionary and cultural history, ancient migrations and dispersals, the origins and spread of farming, the impact of past climate change, and the history of diet and health.
To book tickets for this event, please click here.
Subject Areas : Discovery Series,
Event Type : Evening Presentations
Presented By : Professor Keith Dobney
Venue : Fraser Noble Lecture Theatre
Time : 6:30
Date : 21 September 2011
Essential Information : When: Wednesday 21st September, 6:30pm Tickets: £5 Adult and £3.50 Concession (+bf)
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Whisky, Science, Sex & Gin |
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 George Dodd is an expert in the Science of Smell. While studying as a chemist working under Hans Krebs, George also trained as a perfumer. This combination has led to many advances and discoveries including; the introduction of the Warwick University Olfaction Research Group, the world's first multi-disciplinary research team dedicated to the study of smell; the development of electronic 'noses' as sensors for a range of substances as well as the first `medicinal perfume' "Scentuelle" . Other ongoing projects include further medicinal scents and scent tests to aid the diagnosis of ailments.
George will describe how much we can still gain from using this often overlooked sense and take you on a tour of his favourite smells.
To book tickets for this event, please click here.
Subject Areas : Discovery Series,
Event Type : Evening Presentations
Presented By : Dr George Dodd
Venue : Fraser Noble Lecture Theatre
Time : 8PM
Date : 21 September 2011
Essential Information : When: Wednesday 21st September, 8pm Tickets: £5 Adult and £3.50 Concession (+bf)
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Illuminating Reactions |
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 Chemical reactions are the lifeblood of chemistry, but once you get away from bangs, flashes, and smells, how do you convey them to the general public? There is a pressing need to achieve this type of communication, to show the intellectual infrastructure of chemistry not just its showy phenomena, especially during this International Year of Chemistry.
They key is visualization; but how do you convey atomic events visually on a printed page? Explaining the process behind his recent book, Peter explains his thoughts, and gives examples of how he developed visual images to convey not only simple reactions but some of the more complex processes going on in laboratories, industries, and the human body.
To book tickets for this event, please click here.
Subject Areas : Discovery Series,
Event Type : Evening Presentations
Presented By : Professor Peter Atkins
Venue : Fraser Noble Lecture Theatre
Time : 7:30
Date : 22 September 2011
Essential Information : When: Thursday 22nd September, 7:30pm Tickets: £5 Adult and £3.50 Concession (+bf)
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Time, Machine, Space, Monster |
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Author and broadcaster Mark Brake and science rapper Jon Chase are passionate about the creatures of science fiction film. Through short screenings and live rap music, they ask whether the cinematic creations of cyborgs and outer space voyages have contributed to scientific discoveries which are now part of our reality.
To book tickets for this event, please click here.
Subject Areas : Discovery Series,
Event Type : Evening Presentations
Presented By : Mark Brake & Jon Chase
Venue : Fraser Noble Lecture Theatre
Time : 7:30
Date : 23 September 2011
Essential Information : When: Friday 23rd September, 7:30pm Tickets: £5 Adult and £3.50 Concession (+bf)
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