The biology of ageing: from yeast and worms to people and populations.
Adam Dobson
7pm Monday 4th November 2024
Waterstones Glasgow, Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3EW
People around the world are living longer, thanks to medicine and public health. Many older people bear a considerable burden of ill-health: having added years to life, how can we add life back to those years? Ageing is a problem rooted in biology, so by understanding the biology of ageing across animals, we can better understand ageing in people. In particular, studying simple lab systems allow us to understand the functions of genes that shared with people. This Cafe Scientifique will be all about what we have learned from these lab systems (especially fruit flies), how those findings impact people, and the future of ageing research.
Dr Adam Dobson is a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Molecular Biosciences at the University of Glasgow. He spends more time than most thinking about molecular gastronomy for insects, feeding flies, and then watching flies. The ultimate goal of his research is to identify a framework to promote lifelong human health by personalising diet to individual need.
Note that to give our hosts some idea of how many people with be attending, they would appreciate it if you would fill in this online form:- https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cafe-scientifique-at-waterstones-sauchiehall-st-the-biology-of-ageing-tickets-1061995028719
Life’s not fair!
Monday 7th October 2024
Life’s not fair!
Craig Anderson and Eilidh Jack
On te surface, it may seem that everyone in Scotland has an equal chance in life. However, people from the most deprived parts of the country are more at risk of poor health, live shorter lives on average and have reduced opportunities in education and employment. Statistical modelling plays a huge role in understanding the extent of these inequalities, by using routinely collected health data alongside demographic information to identify the regions at highest risk of disease and also the factors which contribute to this. In this talk, we will provide an overview of the health inequalities in Glasgow, and also some of the techniques statisticians use to communicate our findings.
Dr Craig Anderson is a Senior Lecturer in Statistics at the University of Glasgow. Craig’s research focuses on public health and the environment, with a particular focus on inequalities. He is passionate about statistics outreach and enjoys working with general public to share the findings of his research with the people whose daily lives are affected by these inequalities.
Dr Eilidh Jack is a Senior Lecturer in Statistics at the University of Glasgow. She completed her PhD in 2019 in disease mapping with a particular focus on estimating health inequalities across Scotland. She is also experienced in Statistics outreach and has an interest in widening participation in Mathematical Sciences.
Note that to give our hosts some idea of how many people with be attending, it would be appreciated if you would fill in this online form:-
Ingrained, a love letter to trees, timber and craftmanship - and to finding your own voice
Callum Robinson
7pm Monday 2nd September 2024
Waterstones Glasgow, Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3EW
The eldest son of a Master Woodworker, Callum Robinson spent his childhood surrounded by wood and trees, absorbing craft lessons in his father’s workshop, playing amongst the sycamore, oak and Scots pine that bordered his home. In time he became his father’s apprentice, helping to create exquisite bespoke objects. But eventually the need to find his own path led him to establish his own workshop; to chase ever bigger and more commercial projects, to business meetings, bright lights and bureaucracy, to lose touch with his roots. Until the devastating loss of one major job threatened to bring it all crashing down. Faced with the end of his business, his team and everything he had worked so hard to build, he was forced to question what mattered most.
In beautifully wrought prose, Callum tells the story of returning to the workshop, and to the wood; to handcrafting furniture for people who will love it, and then pass it on to the next generation – antidotes to a culture where everything seems so easily disposable. As he does so, he brings us closer to nature, and to the physical act of creation. At the same time, we begin to understand how he has been shaped, as both a craftsman and a son.
Blending memoir and nature writing at its finest, Ingrained is an uplifting meditation on the challenges of working with your hands in our modern age, on community, consumerism, and the beauty of the natural world – one that asks us to see our local trees, and our own wooden objects, in a new and revelatory light.
Note that to give our hosts some idea of how many people with be attending, they would appreciate it if you would fill in this online form:-
The Wonderful World of Bats
Tracey Jolliffe
7pm Monday 3rd June 2024
Waterstones Glasgow, Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3EW
In her illustrated talk, Tracey will be introducing us to the wonderful world of bats: what they are, why we need them, and hopefully dispelling some myths! Do bats get caught in your hair? Do bats really want to drink your blood? What's the point of bats, anyway? Come along and learn what makes bats the best animals, and why we should all love them - and do what we can to help them.
Tracey Jolliffe is a Biomedical Scientist in an NHS diagnostic microbiology laboratory, and in her previous career as a Veterinary Nurse, she developed an interest in wildlife. She is a NatureScot bat licence holder, and runs a rescue for sick and injured bats from her home in Glasgow. During the early period of the COVID pandemic, she was a member of the IUCN group advising on human to bat transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Tracey is also a volunteer ambassador for Give A Kidney, a charity promoting non-directed kidney donation.
You can find more of her photos via @The_BatNurse
Note that to give our hosts some idea of how many people with be attending, they would appreciate it if you would fill in this online form https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cafe-scientifique-at-glasgow-tracie-jollif-bats-tickets-912714422407
Artemis: Fly Me to the Moon
Martin Hendry
Monday 13th May 2024, 7pm
Waterstones Glasgow, Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3EW
More than half a century after astronauts last set foot on the Moon, we are set to return there in the next few years as part of the Artemis program that will (to quote NASA’s stated goals) “establish a permanent base on the Moon to facilitate human missions to Mars.” How does the approach to Artemis differ from the “gung ho” adventures of the Apollo program? How will the challenges faced by the Artemis astronauts be different from those encountered by Armstrong and Aldrin? How has human spaceflight progressed and evolved in the 50 years since Apollo, and are we really going to leapfrog from the Moon to Mars anytime soon?...
Martin Hendry is Professor of Gravitational Astrophysics and Cosmology at the University of Glasgow, where he is also currently Vice Principal and Clerk of Senate. While his research is mainly focussed on cosmic events that happened “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away”, Martin is a lifelong enthusiast for human space exploration and an avid cheerleader for its exciting next chapter. Martin is highly active in schools and public outreach and is currently Vice President (for public engagement) of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland’s national academy.
Note that to give our hosts some idea of how many people with be attending, they would appreciate it if you would fill in this online form.
Renewable Energy: From extractivism to interactivism
From power posing to sexy armpits: how we can learn from bad science and do better
SeaWilding
A Long Time Ago in a Galaxy Far, Far Away
What will it take to revive our rivers?
Coastal change in Scotland: can we cope?
Living & Working with the Menopause
Rewilding Scotland
Citizen Science: How to Engage with Millions of People
The Science of Communication
Pandas: It’s not all Black and White
With A Little Help From Psychology: Using Effective Learning Strategies
How to be an animal
Navigating the long-term consequences of COVID-19 in Scotland
Educational and health outcomes among children treated for chronic conditions
Organ Donation in Scotland: What difference will the new rules make?
GW190521: the most massive black hole collision ever observed!
What is the real cost of the EV revolution?
Getting Hot under the Collar: Menopause and HRT
Social Robots
Using Stem Cells to Regenerate the Heart
Motorneurone Disease
Pulsars, Prizes and Physics
Perceptions of Cancer
Poetry, Physics and Computing
Monday 7th May 2018 @ 7pm, Waterstones Sauchiehall Street with guest speaker Robert Crawford.
Are psychedelics the future of psychiatry?
Monday 3rd July 2023, 7pm
Waterstones Glasgow, Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3EW,7PM
This is a free event, but places are filling up fast! So to prevent disappointment and reserve a place, please register for the event at Eventbrite
You are invited to a free Café Scientifique-style event to hear from Professor David Nutt on the subject of psychedelic drugs as potential treatments for mental health conditions.
Psychedelic drugs, also known as hallucinogens, act on the brain to cause changes in perception, mood and cognitive functions. Professor David Nutt will talk about research into how psychedelic drugs, like psilocybin [magic mushrooms] LSD and DMT [ayahuasca], are working in the brain. David will also discuss the potential of psychedelic drugs as new treatments for mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety and addiction.
David is a psychiatrist and Professor at Imperial College London. David is currently Founding Chair of the charity DrugScience.org.uk and has been president of the European Brain Council, the British Association for Psychopharmacology and British Neuroscience Association. He broadcasts widely to the general public on pharmacology and psychiatric matters, has over 60k followers on twitter and has his own very popular podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-drug-science-podcast/id1474603382
David has published 35 books and over 1000 research papers that define his many landmark contributions to psychopharmacology in anxiety disorders, depression, addiction and the clinical utility of psychedelics. Some of his work has been made into films/plays by e.g. Netflix and the BBC.
This event is hosted by the 19th World Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology taking place in Glasgow July 2nd-7th. Informal enquiries can be sent to mandy.maclean@strath.ac.uk.
We hope to see you there!
Are psychedelics the future of psychiatry?
Monday 3rd July 2023
What’s Bugging Glasgow? Jeanne Robinson
This event has been postponed. Please keep an eye on the webpage for a new date.
Drugs, Death and the Legal System by Dr Stephanie Sharp
7pm Monday 2nd October 2023
Waterstones Glasgow, Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3EW,7PM
Dr Sharp will present some cases from her work from the Old Bailey to Margate Magistrates Court. More details to follow.
Dr. Sharp is a Forensic Pharmacologist. She has an M.Sci. degree in Pharmacology from the University of Glasgow, a Ph.D. in pharmacokinetics from the University of Dundee, Certificates in Civil and Criminal Law from the University of Cardiff and a certificate in Scots Law from the University of Aberdeen. She specialises in drugs of abuse and the clearance of drugs from the body. She has been a research scientist for 13 years and has researched at the University of Cape Town in South Africa and the University of Dundee. Dr. Sharp is a co-director of the Glasgow Expert Witness Service Ltd. and is a registered expert witness with the Law Society of Scotland Directory of Expert Witnesses, a Professional Member of the Chartered Society of Forensic Science, a full member of the British Pharmacological Society and a registered expert adviser on the National Crime Agency (NCA) database.
Drugs, Death and the Legal System by Dr Stephanie Sharp
Drugs, Death and the Legal System by Dr Stephanie
Monday 2nd October 2023, 7pm
Waterstones Glasgow, Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3EW,7PM
Dr Sharp will present some cases from her work from the Old Bailey to Margate Magistrates Court. More details to follow.
Dr. Sharp is a Forensic Pharmacologist. She has an M.Sci. degree in Pharmacology from the University of Glasgow, a Ph.D. in pharmacokinetics from the University of Dundee, Certificates in Civil and Criminal Law from the University of Cardiff and a certificate in Scots Law from the University of Aberdeen. She specialises in drugs of abuse and the clearance of drugs from the body. She has been a research scientist for 13 years and has researched at the University of Cape Town in South Africa and the University of Dundee. Dr. Sharp is a co-director of the Glasgow Expert Witness Service Ltd. and is a registered expert witness with the Law Society of Scotland Directory of Expert Witnesses, a Professional Member of the Chartered Society of Forensic Science, a full member of the British Pharmacological Society and a registered expert adviser on the National Crime Agency (NCA) database.
The return of the red squirrel: Restoring an iconic native species to the north-west Scottish Highlands
Sarah Woodfin
7pm Monday 5th February 2024
Waterstones Glasgow, Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3EW,7PM.
The charismatic red squirrel is threatened with extinction across the British Isles and Ireland. Habitat loss and the invasive grey squirrel and the fatal disease they spread, has seen reds reduced to only a few islands, northern Wales and England; with three quarters of the entire population restricted to Scotland. The Scottish highlands are the most secure stronghold, however red squirrels remain absent from much of the north-west highlands. Beginning in 2016, Trees for Life began successfully reintroducing red squirrels and have restored them to much of their former range with eleven new populations created. This talk will look at the threats facing the red squirrel, the reintroduction projects undertaken and challenges in the conservation of red squirrels.
Sarah Woodfin is the Red Squirrel Project Manager for Trees for Life. She has a background in small mammal conservation, with a BSc in Ecology and a MSc in Conservation. Past work has been with rabbits both in Scotland and Vietnam. Previously, she worked for four years with Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels before moving to Trees for Life in March 2023.
Note that to give our hosts some idea of how many people with be attending, they would appreciate it if you would fill in this online form Cafe Scientifique: The Return of the Red Squirrel | Events at Waterstones Bookshops
What’s Bugging Glasgow? Jeanne Robinson
Monday 6th November 2023, 7pm
Waterstones Glasgow, Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3EW
Our insect populations are facing some major challenges on a global and local scale. Find out more about the science behind 'insectagdedon'. explore the plight of our pollinators and other beneficial insects and discover the multitude of ways you can help support our insects.
Jeanne Robinson is Curator of Entomology at the Hunterian Museum and provides guidance and teaching in all things insect to the biologists, medics, food security and museum studies scholars at the University of Glasgow and beyond! She has formerly worked in public health and agricultural entomology but has worked in museums for over 20 years. Here publication record is as diverse as her entomological interests, including publications on the insect fauna of Scotland, plant pests, insect collections, insect surveying methods, and so much more. In addition to insects, she is passionate about biological recording and gardening.
What’s Bugging Glasgow? Jeanne Robinson
7pm Monday 6th November 2023
Waterstones Glasgow, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3EW
Our insect populations are facing some major challenges on a global and local scale. Find out more about the science behind 'insectagedon'. explore the plight of our pollinators and other beneficial insects and discover the multitude of ways you can help support our insects.
Jeanne Robinson is Curator of Entomology at the Hunterian Museum and provides guidance and teaching in all things insect to the biologists, medics, food security and museum studies scholars at the University of Glasgow and beyond! She has formerly worked in public health and agricultural entomology but has worked in museums for over 20 years. Here publication record is as diverse as her entomological interests, including publications on the insect fauna of Scotland, plant pests, insect collections, insect surveying methods, and so much more. In addition to insects, she is passionate about biological recording and gardening.
If you would like to come along to this event, we would really appreciate it if you could sign up via Eventbrite so we have some idea of how many people might attend.
Drugs, Death and the Legal System by Dr Stephanie Sharp
7pm Monday 2nd October 2023
Waterstones Glasgow, Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3EW,7PM
***PLEASE NOTE*** Waterstones now ask that we all sign up via Eventbrite for our FREE monthly Cafes! The link to Eventbrite is below.
Dr Sharp will present some cases from her work from the Old Bailey to Margate Magistrates Court. More details to follow.
Dr Sharp is a Forensic Pharmacologist. She has an M.Sci. degree in Pharmacology from the University of Glasgow, a Ph.D. in pharmacokinetics from the University of Dundee, Certificates in Civil and Criminal Law from the University of Cardiff and a certificate in Scots Law from the University of Aberdeen. She specialises in drugs of abuse and the clearance of drugs from the body. She has been a research scientist for 13 years and has researched at the University of Cape Town in South Africa and the University of Dundee. Dr. Sharp is a co-director of the Glasgow Expert Witness Service Ltd. and is a registered expert witness with the Law Society of Scotland Directory of Expert Witnesses, a Professional Member of the Chartered Society of Forensic Science, a full member of the British Pharmacological Society and a registered expert adviser on the National Crime Agency (NCA) database.
Who am I and where did I come from? Genetics, Ancestry and Human Evolution
Kevin O’Dell
Monday 1st April 2024, 7pm
Waterstones Glasgow, Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3EW
It’s over 160 years since Charles Darwin published “On the Origin of Species”, popularising the idea than human evolved from apes. He largely based his ideas on studies of comparative anatomy - and, since then, fossil and other similar remains of ancient human-like creatures have supported the concept that humans evolved from apes. However, in the last twenty years or so there’s been a DNA sequencing revolution that’s suggested our evolutionary history is rather more complex than originally thought. So, what do DNA sequences of modern and ancient humans reveal, and what can it tell us about our recent and past evolutionary history?
Kevin O’Dell is Professor of Behaviour Genetics at the University of Glasgow and co-organiser of Glasgow Café Scientifique. His primary role at the University of Glasgow is co-ordinating the third year of the Genetics degree programme. His problem-solving, storytelling textbook Genetics? No Problem! was published in 2017, and in 2019 he was short-listed for the UK Higher Education BioScience Teacher of the Year award.
Note that to give our hosts some idea of how many people with be attending, they would appreciate it if you would fill in this online form.
Who am I and where did I come from? Genetics, Ancestry and Human Evolution
Kevin O’Dell
7pm Monday 1st April 2024
Waterstones Glasgow, Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3EW
It’s over 160 years since Charles Darwin published “On the Origin of Species”, popularising the idea than human evolved from apes. He largely based his ideas on studies of comparative anatomy - and, since then, fossil and other similar remains of ancient human-like creatures have supported the concept that humans evolved from apes. However, in the last twenty years or so there’s been a DNA sequencing revolution that’s suggested our evolutionary history is rather more complex than originally thought. So, what do DNA sequences of modern and ancient humans reveal, and what can it tell us about our recent and past evolutionary history?
Kevin O’Dell is Professor of Behaviour Genetics at the University of Glasgow and co-organiser of Glasgow Café Scientifique. His primary role at the University of Glasgow is co-ordinating the third year of the Genetics degree programme. His problem-solving, storytelling textbook Genetics? No Problem! was published in 2017, and in 2019 he was short-listed for the UK Higher Education BioScience Teacher of the Year award.
Artemis: Fly Me to the Moon
Martin Hendry
7pm on Monday 13th May 2024
Waterstones Glasgow, Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3EW
Note that to give our hosts some idea of how many people with be attending, they'd appreciate it if you would fill in this online form - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cafe-scientifique-at-waterstones-sauchiehall-s-artemis-fly-me-to-the-moon-tickets-862929995847
More than half a century after astronauts last set foot on the Moon, we are set to return there in the next few years as part of the Artemis program that will (to quote NASA’s stated goals) “establish a permanent base on the Moon to facilitate human missions to Mars.” How does the approach to Artemis differ from the “gung ho” adventures of the Apollo program? How will the challenges faced by the Artemis astronauts be different from those encountered by Armstrong and Aldrin? How has human spaceflight progressed and evolved in the 50 years since Apollo, and are we really going to leapfrog from the Moon to Mars anytime soon?...
Martin Hendry is Professor of Gravitational Astrophysics and Cosmology at the University of Glasgow, where he is also currently Vice Principal and Clerk of Senate. While his research is mainly focussed on cosmic events that happened “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away”, Martin is a lifelong enthusiast for human space exploration and an avid cheerleader for its exciting next chapter. Martin is highly active in schools and public outreach and is currently Vice President (for public engagement) of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland’s national academy.