Talking Science

Enjoy a series of short talks linked to our festival theme of Glasgow's Transforming. Enjoy short talks about: the women at NASA, sustainability and polar bears.

Featuring colleagues from the University of Glasgow, University of Strathclyde, The Space Queens Project and The Open University. 

Climate Change & Social Sciences

Here are two talks which focus on the cultural, social and political aspects of climate change. 

Cities between sustainability and cultural heritage protection: Lessons for Glasgow

Certain cities implement sustainable solutions while conserving their heritage. What lessons may Glasgow learn from them?

Exploring the Nexus

Public Attitudes towards Climate Change and their Impact on International Environmental Agreement Compliance, The Open University

Polar Bears of Perth

Watch two short films from the Open University about the history of polar bears in Scotland. How and why have polar bears been represented by Scottish artists, and how did they become so closely associated with global climate change?

Polar Bears of Perth

How and why have polar bears been represented by Scottish artists, The Open University

Why Are Polar Bears the Face of Climate Change?

How did polar bears become so closely associated with global climate change?, The Open University

The Space Queens Project

A group of film and television students with a passion for space got together and decided to do something out of this world. Directed by Edinburgh Napier TV student, Adam Smith, Space Queens was the end result, equivalent to a dissertation final project film. The film was so successful at film festivals and in the press, the group decided to create a sequel 'Space Queens: A Place in Space'. View both videos, and a bonus Q&A, below. 

Space Queens (2019)

Meet the women behind the first men. Speakers from NASA, Virgin Galactic and The Aldrin Foundation gather to tell their inspiration for taking one giant leap into careers in STEM.

Space Queens: A Place in Space (2021)

There’s a place for everyone in space. Women from all walks of life tell their stories of how they forged careers in aerospace.

Space Queens (2019)

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, speakers from NASA, Virgin Galactic and The Aldrin Foundation. 

Space Queens: A Place in Space

There’s a place for everyone in space, speakers from multiple organisations. 

Bonus Q&A

Bonus Q&A with NASA Civil Engineer & construction manager, Barbara Kennedy

Space Queens Cast:
Barbara Kennedy – Civil Engineer and Construction Manager, NASA JFK Space Centre
Sharon Hagle – Commercial Astronaut and Founder of SpaceKids Global
Christina Korp – Former PA to Buzz Aldrin and Founder of The Aldrin Family Foundation

Space Queens: A Place in Space Cast:
Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger – Former NASA Astronaut
Sonali Mohapatra – Space Quantum Tech Developer
Kaitlin Porter – NASA Solar System Ambassador
Flora Quimby – SpaceX Engineer
Rosie Caine - Astrobiologist, University of Edinburgh
Samaneh Shamyati – Astronomer

Talking Science: STEM in 10

The College of Science and Engineering at the University of Glasgow have launched a taster lecture series aimed at young people interested in studying Science and Engineering. STEM in 10 gives a short taster of the type of things you will learn if you study Science or Engineering at University.

Watch the content on this page to learn about the real effects of gaming, how statistics and data help change our world for the better, a basic introduction to the world of quantum computing and all about the sun’s neutrinos!

Find the full playlist on the University of Glasgow's YouTube channel.

Why is a Bridge More Than Just a Crossing?

Why bridges are so important to civilisation, Dr Dimitra Achillopoulou, James Watt School of Engineering

Introducing an Electronic Revolution

Learn about an electronic revolution, Dr Rair Macêdo, James Watt School of Engineering

Firefighting and how to protect a network

Using algorithms to defend against infection, Dr Jess Enright, School of Computing Science 

Universal symmetries and how maths reveals them

Footballs, flowers and molecules have a hidden connection, Dr Anna Puskas, School of Mathematics & Statistics

How did our world get so uniquely wet?

Explore how the earth became our habitable world, Dr Luke Daly, School of Geographical & Earth Sciences

Introducing the Principles of Design

Shortcutting evolution to tackle current problems, Dr Stuart Grey, James Watt School of Engineering

The Effects of Playing Video Games

How players are affected by video games, Dr Matthew Barr, School of Computing Science

Neutrinos - Ghostly Particles from Space

Fascinating tiny particles called neutrinos, Dr Sophie Renner, School of Physics and Astronomy

Introducing Quantum Technologies

Quantum technologies in the real world, Dr Rair Macêdo, James Watt School of Engineering

Using Statistics to Improve Air Quality

How can statistics influence environmental issues?, Dr Craig Anderson, School of Mathematics and Statistics