Life Solved Live: Seeing Hidden Pollution, Hearing Distant Stars

Research helps us see and understand the invisible and intangible. From the tiny particles of plastic that linger unseen all around us, to the collisions of black holes in the farthest reaches of space – researchers at the University of Portsmouth reveal hidden phenomena that help us understand our existence in new and vital ways.

Our Life Solved Live events are your chance to hear first-hand how research changes the world – and why people do it.

An Inaugural Lecture is one of the most prestigious Life Solved Live events. It’s a celebration of the career of a professor and the difference they make.

On 26 November we present two fascinating lectures in one evening.

In Environmental Pollution: Here, There and Everywhere, Professor Fay Couceiro explores the unseen presence of pollution in air, soil and water – from microplastics, to nutrients, metals and hydrocarbons.

Professor Couceiro says:

‘I’ll discuss how I became a Professor of Environmental Pollution, why I study what I do, and why I think it’s important. I’ll showcase projects from the past and present, both locally and all the way on the other side of the planet.

‘We’ll look at where I’ve found pollutants, how they ended up where they are, and where we go from here.’

In Listening to our Universe with Gravitational Waves, Professor Laura Nuttall explains an exciting new field of astronomy. Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of space and time, which allow us to study the Universe in a way unlike traditional astronomy. For a decade, Professor Nuttall has listened to the collisions of black holes and neutron stars.

Until recently, the main way we looked at our cosmos was with electromagnetic waves like light, x-rays and radio. That’s like looking with our eyes. But gravitational wave astronomy is more like hearing the Universe with our ears.

Professor Nuttall says:

‘Today, we have detected the mergers of around 300 black holes, as well as a few neutron stars and neutron star-black hole mergers. With our global network of telescopes, we’re observing gravitational waves every few days. And making new discoveries all the time.

‘In this talk I’ll highlight exciting detections from the first decade of gravitational wave astronomy. I’ll also discuss the instruments we use to make these incredible discoveries, and what the next ten years hold.’

Don’t miss this unique double bill of revelatory talks. To book your FREE tickets, select how many you want, then click the ‘Reserve a spot’ button.

Keen to hear more about world-changing research and the amazing people who do it? The Life Solved podcast has shared well over 100 stories to date. Listen now.