Speaking of Research
Speaking of Research is a lecture series running on the first Thursday of the month throughout 2010 by Bath research students and research staff at the Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution (BRLSI) in Queen Square in the city centre. It includes public talks on a wide range of disciplines and research areas.
Forthcoming talks
Thursday 2 September: by Mark McCormack (PhD Education)
Thursday 4 November: by Dong Hoang (PhD Social & Policy Sciences)
Opening of the Series
The first talk in the series, 'Jumping Genes: Exploring the Dynamics of DNA Parasites' was given by Stephen Bush on 4th February.
The lecture, 'Jumping Genes: Exploring the Dynamics of DNA Parasites' examines Transposable Elements (TEs), self-replicating DNA sequences which appear to serve no purpose within the genome other than copying themselves, usually in vast numbers. Despite this they interact, compete and sabotage their rivals in a complex ecology, and their study may offer insights into the genetic workings of certain diseases.
An article on the talk can be viewed at the University of Bath website and a report on Steve's talk (and the aims of his research) is available at the BRLSI news page.
Professor Jane Millar, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) (above, left), introduced the lecture series and emphasised the value of university research in all disciplines.
Other Talks So Far
Thursday 4 March: 'The economics of Happiness' by Thanawit Bunsit (PhD Economics)
Thursday 1 April : 'Changing Faces of Anxiety' by Susannah Learoyd-Smith (PhD Education)
Thursday 6 May: by Dr Monique Welten (Research Officer, Biology & Biochemistry)
Thursday 3 June: by Maria Sanchez-Contrera (Research Officer, Biology & Biochemistry) and Zoe Freeman (PhD Biology)
Thursday 17 June: 'Locusts Like it Hot', by Vicky Hunt (PhD Biology)
Posters
Thursday 30 June: by Graham Mallard (PhD Economics)
Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution
The BRLSI is a Bath-based educational charity committed to providing public discussions and exhibitions on the arts and the sciences. There is more information on their work and forthcoming events at http://www.brlsi.org/.
If you want any further information about the talks, please contact Tim Stoneman, Postgraduate Administrator, at postgrads@bath.ac.uk.
Interested in speaking?
The lectures can be on any subject from any department, and applications are still welcome. If you are interested and you are an early stage researcher, either a doctoral student or a member of research staff, please complete the application form at https://www.survey.bath.ac.uk/brlsiapp/.
The audience is largely made up on the general public, and the intention of the series of talks is for researchers to communicate advanced concepts to nonspecialists, and for the public to find out more about the new research currently taking place at the University.
If you are selected to give a talk you will be required to attend a short training session in which you will get feedback on the presentation you have written and on your presentation style. This is to ensure that your talk can be easily understood by the general public.