From the struggle to get up on a Monday morning to coping with jet-lag, the body has to carefully balance our need to be alert or to be at rest. Peter Oliver has worked in genetics research for 15 years and is interested in the way the genes and the environment influence sleep, particularly in human disease.…

From the struggle to get up on a Monday morning to coping with jet-lag, the body has to carefully balance our need to be alert or to be at rest. Peter Oliver has worked in genetics research for 15 years and is interested in the way the genes and the environment influence sleep, particularly in human disease.…

What is the universe made of? Atoms only make up a small proportion of what we think is out there, so cosmologists are trying to explain what the ‘missing’ 95% might be, and find ways to investigate its behaviour. Dr Jo Dunkley brings us up to speed on the latest research.Di Science Oxford

What is the universe made of? Atoms only make up a small proportion of what we think is out there, so cosmologists are trying to explain what the ‘missing’ 95% might be, and find ways to investigate its behaviour. Dr Jo Dunkley brings us up to speed on the latest research.An interview with Dy Jo Dunkley, astrophysics lecturer at Oxford University a…

Life has existed on Earth for more than 3 billion years. Whilst we understand huge amounts about the life on our planet, the question of how life began in the first place is still unanswered. Professor Nigel Mason explores some of the possible explanations for one of the greatest mysteries in science.…

Di Science Oxford

To mark the 50th anniversary of the first manned spaceflight, Science Oxford Live invited Dr Marek Kukula from the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, to explore what astronomers have learnt since then. Be prepared for exploding stars, a moon where liquid methane rains from orange clouds, and a monstrous black hole at the centre of our Galaxy!…

Half a century since they were invented, lasers are now used in millions of appliances worldwide. But scientists also use them to solve the biggest problems in modern science. Dr Kate Lancaster has already amazed viewers on BBC4 with the Beauty of Diagrams, and she will describe the incredible things that lasers can do.…

Do animals have emotions? The vast majority of pet owners are very confident that they do, and yet scientists can often be sceptical. Dr Paul Morris, psychologist at the University of Portsmouth, is coming along to discuss his research into animal emotions and the science behind this complicated issue. This event took place at Science Oxford Live o…

Thames Valley Police Wildlife Crime Officer, PC Simon Towers, is joining us to discuss the problem of wildlife crime. With the help of some real exhibits and case studies, Simon will explore the impact that wildlife crime has on our environment, and how we combat it both practically and with forensic science. This event took place at Science Oxford…

Devised in Tokyo in February 2003, PechaKucha Night is an event for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public. 20 images x 20 seconds is a format that makes presentations concise, and keeps things moving at a rapid pace. In Oxford’s first PK night come and see some of the rising stars in the local creative industries in a fasc…

It has become increasingly clear that different species of plants and animals need to have a wide variety of genes to maintain a healthy environment. Taking examples from nature ranging from cheetahs to Charles II, Dr Samantha Decombel, plant geneticist and Director of PlayDNA Ltd., will consider the implications of loss of genetic diversity and wh…

The 5 personality traits that impact on our lives What is personality? How much of an impact does it have on our lives? Dr Jason Rentfrow will present results from the BBC Big Personality Test, which is based on the ‘Big Five’ personality traits, and reveals associations between personality and important life domains. Further Information Dr Jason R…

Explore the Truth about Sex In 2009 Dr Petra Boynton told us what she has learnt in a career as a Sex researcher, educator and agony aunt. Is it possible for science to study the intensely private world of human sexual behaviour? Is it even desirable? Together we will explore some of the controversies surrounding this sensitive area of science. Fur…

Discover the secrets of the brain Science Oxford Live welcomes back Professor Colin Blakemore. Don’t miss this chance to hear one of the world’s leading neuroscientists give an insight into what we know – and what we don’t know – about one of the biggest mysteries in modern science. Further Information http://www.dpag.ox.ac.uk/academic_staff/colin_…

Our memories are crucial to who we are, but the way that they are created and stored remains a total mystery to most of us. Dr Carinne Piekema will explore what we know about memory, how we think it works, and what happens to our personalities when it starts to go wrong. This event took place on the 29th July 2010 at Science Oxford Live. More detai…

Dr Domenico di Ceglie is one of the world’s leading specialists in dealing with young people whose gender identities have developed in unusual ways. He describes his work, and explains how we can help people who don’t fit easily into society’s usual “Female” and “Male” categories. This event took place on the 15th July 2010 at Science Oxford Live. …

Helping us to explore the latest environmental issues will be Jonathon Porritt, the noted environmentalist, who will provoke what we are sure will be a lively and stimulating discussion. This event took place on the 8th June 2010 at Science Oxford Live. More details on events can be found at www.scienceoxfordlive.com…

What is sound? How can we make sounds louder and quieter, and how do musical instruments work? Join science guru Bryson Gore as he explains how humans might be the best musical instrument of them all! Bryson will explore the mysteries of music as he asks how sounds are made, how they travel, and why some things sound different to others. Prepare to…

Science Oxford Live will answer all your burning questions about fire. Find out what burns and why, and be amazed as we produce a swirling pillar of flame right here in the building. Not to be missed! This event took place on the 2nd June 2010 at Science Oxford Live. More details on events can be found at www.scienceoxfordlive.com The Fire Show was…

Using the Geological Past to Predict the Future Science Oxford is delighted to welcome Prof Gideon Henderson from Oxford University. He will explain how we can use what we know about the Earth’s climate over the last million years to help us predict temperatures, rainfall, and sea-level in the future. This event took place on the 24th May 2010 at S…

Join us as we look into the darkest depths of the rainforest to explore the fascinating lives of two jungle apes – the orangutan and the gibbon. Ape researchers, Dr Susan Cheyne and Klara Wanelik, will be filling us in on these mysterious creatures, as well as discussing what it’s really like to work in the jungle. Further Information Dr Susan Chey…

Local author Keith Mansfield will be at Science Oxford Live to talk about “Johnny Mackintosh: Star Blaze”, the sequel to “Johnny Mackintosh and the Spirit of London”. He will explore how he brings together science and fiction, weaving the science of time travel, cloning, supernovas and alien life into his stories for anyone between the ages of 10 a…

In May 2007, a group of scientists went to the summit of Mount Everest to study the effects of high altitude on the human body, with the ultimate aim of increasing our understanding of critically ill patients. The expedition’s Medical Officer, Dr Denny Levett, will be joining us to discuss the project, their findings, and the challenges encountered…

Bloodhound is one of the most exciting British Engineering projects in decades. Aiming to design and build a car capable of travelling at 1000mph, the science involved is truly breathtaking. Come along to discover how the car works and the main engineering challenges to be overcome. This event took place on the 10th March 2010 at Science Oxford Liv…