Medway Talks - Universities at Medway Open Lecture Series

What is Medway Talks?

Medway Talks is an open lecture series run by our academic staff from the Universities at Medway - University of Greenwich, University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University. There are 5 talks in total, running from January 2025 to June 2025.

Who can attend?

The talks are open to everyone in the local community, including students and staff at the Universities at Medway. Talks will be free of charge to attend, but registration is required. Please book a ticket for each talk you would like to attend.

Where are they held?

Each talk will be held in the Ward Room (P129) in the Pembroke Building. For parking, you are able to park free of charge along Central Avenue. You can find directions on our Transport website.

What's on offer?

Talks will run from 6pm until 7pm with refreshments available on arrival. There will be one talk in the following months; January, March, May, June and the full schedule is below.

Talks

Wednesday 15 January 2025 - Nanotechnology in Personalised Medicine

Presented by Dr Ana-Maria Totea and Dr Tamim Chalati - University of Greenwich

Nanoparticles are tiny particles that are so small, you can't see them with your eyes! Imagine a piece of paper cut into a million tiny pieces—each piece would be a nanoparticle. They usually measure less than 100 nanometres, which is about 100,000 times smaller than a single grain of sand! Because they are so small, nanoparticles can be found in many places, like in medicine to help heal people, in sunscreens to block harmful rays, or even in electronics to make our gadgets work better. This Medway talk explores the transformative potential of personalised medicine enhanced by nanotechnology. As we venture into an era where treatment is tailored to the individual, nanotechnology plays a pivotal role in revolutionising healthcare. By utilising nanoparticles, we can deliver drugs more effectively, ensuring they target specific cells while minimising toxicity. Join us as we explore some of the research we carry out at the University of Greenwich and learn about future prospects, revealing how the integration of nanotechnology into personalised medicine is paving the way for more effective and individualised treatments.

Wednesday 29 January 2025 - Echoes from the past: How forensic science is bringing world war II's fallen heroes home

Presented by Samantha Taylor - University of Greenwich

This talk will explore how forensic science, especially archaeology and geophysics, is transforming the search for American servicemen lost in WW2 aircraft crashes. We will discuss the methods used to locate the crash sites and how forensic science helps piece together the untold story behind each discovery. This presentation aims to highlight the power of interdisciplinary science, and the profound impact of returning lost heroes to their families after more than 70 years.

Wednesday 19 March - Combating Child Sexual Exploitation with a Trauma-Informed Approach: A ‘Serious Game' Simulation Training Programme for Police

Presented by Dr Tracee Green, Dr Aravinda Kosaraju and Emma Soutar - University of Kent

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a pressing issue in the UK. To address it, the Centre for Child Protection, in collaboration with Kent Police and with support from the Economic and Social Research Council, developed an immersive simulation training programme titled Robyn and Molly. This tool is designed to enhance police responses to girls with lived experience of CSE by incorporating trauma-informed approaches. The training focuses on six key outcomes: identifying CSE, understanding trauma-informed support, building investigative skills, preparing cases for prosecution, addressing secondary trauma, and engaging empathetically with victims. The programme was co-designed by police officers and academic researchers to ensure it met practical needs. In 2023, Robyn and Molly was piloted with 77 detectives, allowing them to engage in case scenarios modelled after real-life experiences within a controlled environment. The results showed a 133% increase in the consideration of trauma in police assessments, alongside significant improvements across all six learning outcomes. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 95% of participants rating the training as "highly relevant" or "relevant." The success of the programme highlights its potential to improve both police work and prosecution outcomes by fostering more sensitive, victim-centred practices. This session shares the learnings from this pilot and critically considers its value in addressing a core child protection issue through innovative methods, promoting professional practice, and setting a strong precedent for trauma-informed policing in CSE cases across the UK.

Wednesday 21 May 2025 - Getting Older is Mandatory, Feeling Older is Optional

Presented by Yasser El Miedany - Canterbury Christ Church University

Join Yasser for an enlightening public lecture where we explore the fascinating science behind getting older and how you can take control of your health. Discover cutting edge research on longevity, the role of lifestyle choices and the power of mindset in defying the years. Whether you’re curious about the biology of aging or seeking practical tips on how to keep your bones and muscles in good condition, this talk offers insights for all. Age is just a number but feeling great is a choice.

Yasser El Miedany is a Consultant Rheumatologist at Medway NHS Foundation Trust. His work is in the diagnosis and management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. He is an internationally renowned speaker at conferences and scientific meetings. He has published numerous journal articles and books. His academic work is based at Canterbury Christ Church University where he is the Medical Lead at the Institute of Medical Sciences.

Wednesday 18 June 2025 - Mental Health vs Mental Illness

Presented by Professor Aamer Sarfraz - Canterbury Christ Church University

By popular request Aamer is returning to look at what the term mental health really means. This term has been in the public domain more and more recently incurring various and often heated arguments. But what does it mean to be mentally healthy and what happens when this isn’t the case? Why do some people feel anxious or depressed but others don’t? Can we prevent this happening or is it in our genes? What can we do to protect our mental health and how can common mental illnesses be treated? This lecture will explore the answers to these questions.

Aamer Sarfraz is a Consultant Psychiatrist working in Oxleas NHS Trust. His is an author, editor and teacher. Aamer has lectured around the world. His specialist area is patient safety and psychiatry. His academic work is based at Canterbury Christ Church University where he is Professor of Psychiatry.