As part of the British Science Association’s Science Communication Conference 2015, MMU is proud to host ‘Science @ the Sally’. Come and join us on Wednesday 17th June for an afternoon of science-themed fun, frolics and festivities. There’ll be laughs, there’ll be beer and there will of course be science. With inspirational and innovative talks, discussions and activities this promises to be an engaging and enjoyable event, which has at its heart a simple scientific equation: alcohol + science = guaranteed good times.

12:30 – 14:00 The Science of Oxford Road

Manchester Modernist Society  

 A guided walking tour of MMU and the surrounding Oxford Road area, outlining the incredible scientific achievement that has taken place along this relatively short stretch of tarmac. From the industrial revolution to the birth of Graphene, via the computer age and acid house Manchester has long been at the centre of the scientific and cultural universe. Starting and ending at the Salutation, you will leave this tour feeling that it is anything but grim up North.

 Places are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment!

This tour is wheelchair accessible.

14:00 - 15:00 Conversation (beer) café

Oxfam

 FREE BEER! There is not a marketing gimmick; there is genuinely free beer at this event. There’s a £100 behind the bar and once it’s gone, it’s gone.

 Over a couple of pints (or glasses of shiraz if you’re feeling posh) there’ll be an informal talk from a couple of world-leading researchers, followed by a discussion, with the aim of initiating discussions collectively between the audience and the speakers.

Please note, this venue has restricted wheelchair access to upper levels. If this may affect you, please get in touch and we will endeavour to ensure appropriate arrangements are made. Thank you.

15:00 – 16:00 Ask for evidence

Sense about Science

We hear daily claims about what is good for our health, bad for the environment, how to improve education, cut crime, treat disease or improve agriculture. Some are based on reliable evidence and scientific rigour. Many are not.

How can we make companies, politicians, commentators and official bodies accountable for the claims they make? If they want us to vote for them, believe them or buy their products, then we should Ask for Evidence.

This session will involve a dozen young scientists who have gone out, asked for evidence, and made a difference. Hear their stories about how one person asking for evidence can force change, and find out how you can do the same.

Please note, this venue has restricted wheelchair access to upper levels. If this may affect you, please get in touch and we will endeavour to ensure appropriate arrangements are made. Thank you.

16:00 - 17:00 – Come to the pub with Comma!

Comma Press

 Comma Editor Ra Page chats with Martyn Amos (Professor of Unconventional Computing at MMU), and Penelope Lewis (Director of The Sleep and Memory Lab, University of Manchester) about their collaborations on Comma Press's science-meets-fiction anthologies. Editors of Beta-Life (stories imagining artificial life in the year 2070), and Spindles (stories from the new science of sleep), respectively, Martyn and Penny will discuss their experiences of working with fiction writers to inject real science in to science fiction. Plus, they will reflect on insights they've gained in to their own scientific research through interacting with a different discipline.

Please note, this venue has restricted wheelchair access to upper levels. If this may affect you, please get in touch and we will endeavour to ensure appropriate arrangements are made. Thank you.