21st May: Science Goes Pop! Two centuries of Live Science Demonstrations
- Ages 17+
Discover why audiences have flocked to the Royal Institution for 200 years to watch live science - and witness a demo suitable for the pub!
Date and time
Location
The Old Kings Head
King's Head Yard London SE1 1NA United KingdomRefund Policy
Agenda
6:30 PM
Doors open to the public
7:00 PM
Event start: Introduction and Main Talk
8:00 PM
Break
8:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Q&A / Discussion
9:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Optional Socialising
About this event
- Event lasts 2 hours
- Ages 17+
- No venue parking
Have you ever wondered who invented the electric motor? How the greenhouse effect was experimentally proved? Where both photography and the discovery of electrons were announced?
It may surprise you to learn all this (and much more) happened just off London's Piccadilly.
The Royal Institution of Great Britain – sometimes known by its chemical symbol, Ri – has been The Home of Science since 1799 and is famous for its live demonstrations which bring science to life. Michael Faraday's historic Ri Christmas Lecture series on candles "contained more of romance than all the operas, plays and books I was allowed to see…” according to one writer.
On Wednesday 21st May we bring the romance and wow factor of live science to The Old King's Head in London for a special event celebrating 200 years of Ri monthly Discourses and annual Christmas Lectures.
Michael Cutts from the Ri's renowned demonstration team has designed, built, and showcased science demos at the Ri and around the world. In this talk he’ll take us through the history of live science and the importance of showing as well as telling.
There may even be a few live demos suitable for a pub setting!
See below for ticketing options, to read about this month's speaker, and learn more about PubSci.
All images © Paul Wilkinson used by permission
Booking is on a pay-what-you-can -afford basis.
There are two booking options: You can choose to Book without donating or Book for one + support PubSci. Please consider making a donation with your booking - this also reserves one spot at the event. Add further tickets for free. You can bring cash on the night to put in the pot if you prefer.
The suggested donation amount is the price of one pub drink. PubSci receives no other income. More information at the bottom of this page.
Talks run for around 45 minutes and are followed by a Q&A session. The Old King's Head has a happy hour before 7 and the kitchen serves traditional pub grub. The nearest tube is London Bridge (Borough High Street exit). See FAQs for more.
[ Continues below]
About the speaker
Michel Cutts is the Royal Institution's Content Producer for Heritage and Demos. He researches the unparalleled scientific history of the Ri while designing and creating demos for stage, TV, and presentation in the world-famous Faraday Theatre in London.
Michael studied ecology at the University of East Anglia before working with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation on their pink pigeon conservation project. He then started a master's in taxonomy and biodiversity at Imperial College and the Natural History Museum, analysing mathematically mammalian routes to extinction.
Michael has worked in learning-outreach in East Africa, education for sustainable development across the UK with schools, universities and NGOs, and for education charities, maker spaces, and festivals in Mumbai before joining the Ri in 2018.
PubSci is delighted to welcome Mike as the fifth speaker in our 2025 talks programme.
About PubSci
PubSci is funded entirely from attendee contributions. We don’t charge an entry fee to our regular talks - instead, we run events on a Pay-What-You-Can basis. You can make a contribution with your Eventbrite booking and we take a cash collection on the night.
To contribute via Eventbrite, select Reserve a Spot and scroll to "Book for one + support PubSci". This reserves one spot. If you wish to make one donation for several attendees, make sure to reserve enough free places as well.
By making a donation with your ticket, you make it possible for PubSci to put on events like this. PubSci has no other source of funding but you. If you're not sure what's reasonable and affordable amount, we suggest the same as you'd pay for a drink at the pub.
Please see the below for all your FAQs
Note: We aim to keep PubSci accessible for all, but it is unsuitable for under 18s as we meet in the upstairs room of a pub. Regrettably, there is no wheelchair access.
Check out our Future Events page where you can also subscribe to our Google Calendar. PubSci events will then automatically appear in your own iCal compatible calendar.
You can learn more about PubSci via our LinkTree.
Frequently asked questions
PubSci is entirely funded by the audience. We have no other source of income. There is no sponsor, no grant-funding, and no institutional backing. This makes us completely independent. It also makes our relationship with the audience very important.
There is no admission charge but PubSci isn't so-much "free" as "pay-what-you-can". We trust you to make whatever contribution you think is fair for an evening of science and socialising in a central London pub. You can make your contribution when booking or bring cash on the night.
We're not going to tell you what you should put in the pot but if you're buying drinks at the pub, you might want to donate the cost of one-drink per person. That seems a pretty good definition of pay-what-you can!
Sadly, our current venue is not wheelchair accessible. The room we use is upstairs in a historic Pub and there is no level access. We have tried to find an accessible venue but nothing was available at a price that would allow us to continue PubSci's pay-what-you can policy for events.
Absolutely, yes! The kitchen opens especially for PubSci and serves a range of classic pub grub (make sure to check the Specials board). Order food at the bar and it will be brought up to the meeting room. Please listen out for your food arriving. There is a happy hour on drinks from 5 to 7pm.
PubSci is definitely social and there is plenty of time to chat and make new friends after the Q&A. It’s a friendly crowd.
PubSci is aimed at a general audience with an interest in science-related topics, but no specialist knowledge is required. People from all walks of life, including scientists and non-scientists can enjoy our talks. If something didn't make sense, you can always ask for clarification in the Q&A.
There is seating for 44 and lots of standing room. Around half these seats are at tables. The best way to secure a seat and/or table is to arrive when the doors open at 6.30. Please contact us in advance if you have mobility issues or are unable to stand for long.
PubSci is an inclusive event, open to all and free from judgement. We aim to be a safe and respectful space regardless of gender, sexuality, race, disability, education or neurotypicality. Unfortunately the room we use is not wheelchair accessible due to access via stairs.