Lecture Reports

Professor John Cookson, on the subject of how to teach and train the doctors of the future.

• Date: Wednesday, 14 Dec 2022
• Professor John Cookson
• University of Portsmouth, University of Worcester, University of Exeter

Previously Head of Ecosystem Health at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Dr. Cromie now furthers her support as Research Fellow and Consultant.

She has played an instrumental role in the banning of lead shot in all EU wetlands and has improved the co-ordinated global response to Avian Influenza. She has had an international impact on wetland conservation, driving changes in law and policy in multiple countries and remaining at the forefront of the global health agenda.

This talk investigates the impact of Avian Flu on the wildfowl population across the world, and the sources and effects of poisoning by lead shot in the UK, with special reference to the WWT at Slimbridge.

• Date: Wednesday, 9 Nov 2022
• Dr. Ruth Cromie
• Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust

A talk presented by Professor Darren Reynolds to the Cirencester Science & Technology Society. Darren outlines the problem and the perilous condition of waterways around the world.   He describes the current lack of good water quality records, and shows the new sensor technology under development to resolve this.

• Date: Wednesday, 12 Oct 2022
• Professor Darren Reynolds
• University of the West of England
• Download Report: Whats_the_State_of_Our_Rivers_and_Why_Should_We_Care_v2.pdf

A talk about the Supply of Electricity, presented to the Cirencester Science & Technology Society on 14th September 2022, by Dr. David Ward, MA PhD CEng CPhys FIET MInstP.

Dr. Ward explains the history of power generation before 1990, and the changes to the technology and administration since then, finishing with a discussion of the challenges of the coming decades.

• Date: Saturday, 17 Sep 2022
• Dr. David Ward, MA PhD CEng CPhys FIET MInstP

Gareth explains the evidence and mechanisms of the Circadian cycles and their effects, and examines the processes involved at different ages.

• Date: Saturday, 11 Jun 2022
• Gareth Banks

A talk presented by Professor Mark Horton of the Royal Agricultural University, about the use of drones and aerial photography in archaeology.

• Date: Wednesday, 11 May 2022
• Professor Mark Horton
• Royal Agricultural University

The talk describes the discovery and examination of the skull and skeleton, and discussion of its origin and pathology.

With introduction by Barbara Brockway, member of the CSTS.

• Date: Wednesday, 20 Apr 2022
• Linda Ainscough MSc. ChFA, Chartered Forensic Anthropologist.

A talk delivered to the Cirencester Science & Technology Society by Professor Andy Cundy, on 6th March 2022.

This describes the problem of plastic waste large to microscopic in the oceans, and examines the steps necessary to resolve it.

• Date: Tuesday, 8 Mar 2022
• Professor Andy Cundy
• Southampton University

Professor Michael J. Benton discusses the scientific analysis behind the discovery of the colours of many species of dinosaur, showing what they looked like and how we know.

• Date: Wednesday, 9 Feb 2022
• Professor Michael J. Benton
• Professor of Vertebrate Palaeontology, University of Bristol

Professor Edgar examines some disasters, digs down into the details of the causes, and formulates guidelines to help minimise such risks in future dangerous situations.

• Date: Wednesday, 12 Jan 2022
• Professor Graham Edgar
• University of Gloucestershire

Jim describes his time in Bermuda working to provide drinkinng water to the community, explaining the practical challenges and his solutions.

Full of fascinating details about the hydrogeology of Bermuda and Jim's work to keep this vital element flowing for the residents of Paradise!

• Date: Wednesday, 8 Dec 2021
• Jim Thomson MSc DIC (Imperial), MSc (Birmingham)
• CSTS Member

Dr. Caggiano described the chemical weapons used by some plants to protect themselves from attack by insects, and how those chemicals can be used to find new treatments for cancers.

Sadly the video of this talk is not available.

• Date: Wednesday, 10 Nov 2021
• Dr Lorenzo Caggiano
• Senior Lecturer, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, Bath University

Professor du Sautoy uncovers some of the pitfalls in our thinking processes, and offers some strategies to help us make better decisions.

• Date: Wednesday, 13 Oct 2021
• Professor Marcus du Sautoy OBE FRS
• Charles Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science and Professor of Mathematics, Oxford University

Joss outlines the complex topic of DNA manipulation using CRISPR and cas-9, and shows how it could be used to create new weaponns against bacteria.

• Date: Wednesday, 8 Sep 2021
• Joss Lazenby BSc
• University of Reading · School of Biological Sciences

Robert shares his painstaking work to understand the computer's construction and capability, and shows how it saved the mission from disaster.

• Date: Wednesday, 9 Jun 2021
• Robert Willis, Software Engineer
• Cisco, Harpenden