Reports, Papers and Other Resources

A talk presented to the Cirencester Science & Technology Society by Professor Chris Budd OBE, on the current state of machine learning and artificial intelligence, weighing up the benefits and risks.

The talk discussed some of the poisons used in the plots of Agatha Christie, as described in Dr. Harkup's book "A is for Arsenic".

Dr. Harkup explained the details of three well-known poisons, Phosphorus, Strychnine and Arsenic, and showed that Agatha Christie's descriptions are accurate and detailed.   At Dr. Harkup's request, only one of the poisons is included in the video.

The video of this lecture is in progress

A talk presented to the Cirencester Science & Technology Society by Helen Hooker.

Helen explains the different types of flooding in the UK and the impacts of climate change on flooding.

She describes her work using satellite flood detection and weather prediction to develop a worldwide flood risk warning system, and evaluates the results.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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