European Skeptics Congress 2019 – The Joy of Skepticism

The next European Skeptics Congress 2019 will be held from 29 August to 1 September 2019 in Ghent, Belgium.

Location: Academieraadzaal of Ghent University, Voldersstraat 9, 9000 Ghent, Belgium The hall is located in this building, next to the “Aula”. It’s not the neoclassic circular hall, but the auditorium next to it. The entrance hall (“Foyer”) will be used for the reception of the participants. Next to it lies the “Peristylium” where a variety of side events and the coffee breaks will be held.

Organisers: SKEPP vzw, Comité Para asbl in cooperation with ‘Vereniging tegen de Kwakzalverij’ and ‘Stichting Skepsis’

The Official European Skeptics Congress 2019 Website

	July 2019
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
1 ALMEDALEN: Vad är bra eller dålig populärvetenskap? ALMEDALEN: Vad är bra eller dålig populärvetenskap? 1st July 2019 @ 1:30 pm - 2:15 pm Gotlands museum, Strandgatan 14 Link: http://program.almedalsveckan.info/58625 Många populärvetenskapliga böcker har blivit storsäljare, men ibland är den vetenskapliga förankringen ganska svag. I värsta fall kan informationen vara vilseledande och eventuella råd gå mot forskning och beprövad erfarenhet. Hur ska läsaren kunna bedöma kvaliteten på de fakta som presenteras? See more details CAMDEN (London): Shoot for the Moon, Richard Wiseman CAMDEN (London): Shoot for the Moon, Richard Wiseman 1st July 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm The Monarch Bar 40-42 Chalk Farm Road, Camden, London NW1 8BG, Link: http://www.london.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/23831/Shoot-for-the-Moon Professor Richard Wiseman presents a pioneering study of the mindset that took humanity to the Moon. Combining personal interviews with cutting-edge psychology, Wiseman embarks on the ultimate voyage through inner space. He identifies the key principles that make up the Apollo Mindset and describes practical techniques that you can use to incorporate these winning principles into your life. Richard Wiseman is Britain's only professor for the Public Understanding of Psychology and is the author of the bestselling Quirkology and 59 Seconds. He is the psychologist most frequently quoted by the British media. The event takes place at The Monarch which has a full menu. Please get there early for a table and to order your food and drinks. £3 donation to cover costs and speaker expenses. See more details • •	2 NOTTINGHAM: Risky Business, Emma McClure NOTTINGHAM: Risky Business, Emma McClure 2nd July 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm The Canalhouse 48-52 Canal St, Nottingham, NG1 7EH Link: http://www.nottingham.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/23835/Risky-Business In this talk prison lawyer Emma McClure lays out how the Parole Board operates in practice; the way risk assessments are conducted and the problems that exist in the current system in trying to make evidence-based decisions and the management of society’s most dangerous people within a problem-ridden criminal justice system. Emma is a solicitor specialising in representing prisoners and mental health patients. She regularly appears before the Parole Board and Mental Health Tribunal. She is also a public speaker interested in the intersection between the pursuit of justice and critical thinking. See more details •	3 ALMEDALEN: Alternativ medicin - alternativ etik? ALMEDALEN: Alternativ medicin - alternativ etik? 3rd July 2019 @ 9:00 am - 10:15 am Creperie & Logi, Strykjärnshuset, Wallers Plats 3 Link: http://program.almedalsveckan.info/57047 Komplementär och alternativ medicin/vård (KAM) erbjuds utanför sjukvården och individen väljer själv behandling. Men bör det finnas en gräns för individens självbestämmande? Vilket ansvar har utövarna? Och hur säkerställs respekten för individens autonomi, integritet och rätt till information? See more details GREENWICH: Maths, murder and malaria, Dr Steven Le Comber GREENWICH: Maths, murder and malaria, Dr Steven Le Comber 3rd July 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm The Star and Garter 60 Old Woolwich Road, Greenwich, London SE10 9NY Link: http://greenwich.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/19700/Maths-murder-and-malaria Geographic profiling (GP) is a statistical technique originally developed in criminology to prioritise large lists of suspects – often in the tens or hundreds of thousands – in cases of serial murder. GP uses the spatial locations of crime sites to make inferences about the location of the offender’s ‘anchor point’ (usually a home, but sometimes a workplace). The success of GP in criminology has led recently to its application to biology, notably animal foraging (where it can be used to find animal nests or roosts using the locations of foraging sites as input), epidemiology (identifying disease sources from the addresses of infected individuals) and invasive species biology (using current locations to identify source populations). In a talk spanning mathematics, Jack the Ripper and great white sharks, Steve will explain how he used geographic profiling to investigate the identity of the artist Banksy and reanalysed a Gestapo case from the 1940s that formed the basis of a famous novel – and how GP can be used to control outbreaks of diseases such as malaria. Steven Le Comber is a senior lecturer in the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences at Queen Mary University of London. His work covers a wide range of subjects within evolutionary biology, including mathematical and computer models of molecular evolution and studies of spatial patterns in biology. Steve’s work on the mathematics of spatial patterns ranges from the fractal geometry of African mole-rat burrows to epidemiology. Steve is passionate about science communication, and has given major talks at the Cheltenham Science Festival in the UK, at the Internet Festival in Pisa, Italy and at Ratio in Bulgaria. He has appeared on the BBC and his research has been covered around the world. See more details HIGH WYCOMBE: Skeptics in the Pub - Social HIGH WYCOMBE: Skeptics in the Pub - Social 3rd July 2019 @ 9:00 pm - 12:00 am Mad Squirrel Tap & Bottleshop, 4-5 Church St, High Wycombe HP11 2DE, UK Link: https://www.meetup.com/high-wycombe-skeptics/events/xbtvgqyzkbfb/ Join us the first Wednesday of each month for a social. There will be beer, there will be skeptical chat and there will be more beer! Please note we have changed location! We will be trying out the Mad Squirrel Brewery Shop (the old Red Squirrel shop) opposite All Saints Church, as Bootlegger was getting a bit noisy and sports obsessed! Skeptics in the Pub is a place for inquisitive people of all ages to meet and converse in the High Wycombe area. Skeptics are people who yearn to discover the truth behind extraordinary claims that people or groups may make, this can be in areas of alternative therapies, the paranormal, religion and faith, the afterlife and many other areas of life. We we often end up talking about superstition, science, religious fundamentalism, health, censorship and conspiracy theory We make no claims to balance, and actively promote science, freedom of expression and secular humanism.. You are welcome to come along and just sit and listen to others, or if you are braver get stuck right in with conversation and views! Our Website is at wycombe.skepticsinthepub.org (http://wycombe.skepticsinthepub.org/) where you will find links to join our Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/HighWycombeSkeptics/) page and follow us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/wycombesitp). See more details • • •	4 BARNSLEY: Actual Magic, Dave Alnwick BARNSLEY: Actual Magic, Dave Alnwick 4th July 2019 @ 9:00 pm - 12:00 am The Old No.7 7 Market Hill, Barnsley, S70 2PX, , , www.oldno7barnsley.co.uk Link: http://barnsley.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/24878/Actual-Magic Dave Alnwick is a Magician. This is a Magic Show. Thirteen Full-house Edinburgh Fringe runs. Three national tours. One TV special. New show for 2019. Instagram: @davealnwick See more details •	5 DELFT: Join our monthly meeting and get introduced to other skeptics DELFT: Join our monthly meeting and get introduced to other skeptics 5th July 2019 @ 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm Bierhuis De Klomp, Binnenwatersloot 5, 2611 BJ Delft, Netherlands Link: https://www.meetup.com/Skeptics-in-a-Pub-Delft-edition/events/xgspllyzkbhb/ Skeptics in the Pub is your chance to get together with other Skeptics, Freethinkers, and Atheists in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere to talk, debate, and just hang out. What can you expect at our events? Interesting talks, lively debate, a chance to hang with people who have a rational outlook, and people willing to listen to you and answer your questions. See more details •	6 TEESSIDE: Autism Myths Exposed, Heather Pentler TEESSIDE: Autism Myths Exposed, Heather Pentler 6th July 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm O'Connells Pub 29-41 Bedford Street,, Middlehaven,, Middlesbrough, TS1 2LL , , http://www.oconnellspub.co.uk/, Link: http://www.teesside.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/20755/Autism-Myths-Exposed Ever wondered what is the difference between Aspergers and autism but been too embarrassed to ask. Most skeptics understand that Mr Wakefields claims about a link between autism and the MMR vaccine were not just plain wrong but fraudulant too, but there are many other myths and misunderstandings about people with autism. Heather's talk seeks to dispel some of the myths and expose some of the awful practices and quack products that are on offer to "cure" autism. Heather has been an active skeptic for the last 7 years and has previously spoken about her experiences exposing dodgy alternative medical practices. Heather has been a member of the committee for Edinburgh Skeptics for the last 3 years. Heather's day job is a support worker, working with autistic adults for a charity. The expenses for this talk have been kindly covered by Edinburgh Skeptics in their ongoing determination to spread the word to other smaller skeptical groups who can't afford to bring in too many speakers from a distance. Very much appreciated. See more details LIVERPOOL: MSSX – Celebrate 10 years of the Merseyside Skeptics Society LIVERPOOL: MSSX – Celebrate 10 years of the Merseyside Skeptics Society 6th July 2019 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 am The Liner Hotel, Lord Nelson St, Liverpool L3 5QB, UK Link: http://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uk/meetup-event/mssx-celebrate-10-years-of-the-merseyside-skeptics-society/ Happy Birthday to Us! MSSX is a celebration of ten years of the Merseyside Skeptics Society, taking place at the Liner Hotel in Liverpool on July 6th 2019. As with all our events, we aim to be inclusive, welcoming attendees from all backgrounds, ethnicities, and genders. Tickets just £29 – get yours here: https://mssx.co.uk/tickets See more details • •	7 LIVERPOOL: Skeptics in the Park LIVERPOOL: Skeptics in the Park 7th July 2019 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Sefton Park Palm House, Sefton Park, Liverpool L17 1AP, UK Link: http://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uk/meetup-event/skeptics-in-the-park/ This year, the skeptics in the park event will take place the day after our one day 10 year anniversary event MSSX. Find out more about MSSX here: https://mssx.co.uk/ Skeptics, sun and awesome FREE food. Come and join us in Sefton Park for a veritably joyous afternoon of eating and drinking. We’ll be in Sefton Park all afternoon from 2pm (north of the Palm House). Kids are most definitely welcome, as are any other friends or family you’d like to bring along. There will be food available however, we’ll only be serving soft drinks. Hope to see you there! See more details •
8 AMSTERDAM: To be determined AMSTERDAM: To be determined 8th July 2019 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm Café de Doffer, Runstraat 12-14, 1016 GK Amsterdam, Netherlands Link: https://www.meetup.com/Amsterdam-Skeptics-in-the-Pub/events/sjcmnqyzkblb/ This is a placeholder for our future meetups, which usually are on the second Monday of the month. You can RSVP, but these will be deleted without notice and replaced by the actual meetup once the speaker is confirmed. As usual, we'll start at around 20:00 in the back room (around the corner behind the bar). Feel free to walk in from around 19:30! We organize these meetings for free! If you don't agree with this feel free to leave Stichting Skepsis, our sponsor, a small donation: www.skepsis.nl/doneren See more details GLASGOW: Schizophrenia Under a Microscope GLASGOW: Schizophrenia Under a Microscope 8th July 2019 @ 8:15 pm - 10:00 pm The Admiral Bar, 72a Waterloo St, Glasgow G2 7DA, UK Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/190738725201035/ Schizophrenia generally presents itself in late adolescence but has deep roots in very early brain development. The illness arises from a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors that pose a mystery to neuroscientists. During this talk, we’ll explore schizophrenia at the microscopic level, examine the cellular clues that may help our understanding, and discuss what we might learn about schizophrenia from experiments in a petri dish. About the speaker: Ashleigh is a neuroscience PhD student at the University of Glasgow researching the biological underpinnings of schizophrenia. === Doors at 7.15, kickoff at 7.30 This is event is free to attend, although we will be asking for donations at the end of the talk. Participants are under no obligation whatsoever to donate, however please rest assured that the money we collect doesn't end up in anyone's pocket - it is used to fund our overhead costs, and travel/accommodation for our speakers who come from further afield. === Accessibility: As per the policy of the Admiral Bar, access to the venue “can only be provided to patrons who are sufficiently mobile and capable of independently evacuating premises, or with the minimum of assistance”. Unfortunately, this leaves the basement inaccessible to most wheelchair users. See more details • •	9 GUILDFORD: Group Meeting GUILDFORD: Group Meeting 9th July 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm The Guildford Institute Guildford Institute, Ward Street · Guildford, GU1 4LH Link: https://www.meetup.com/Guildford-Woking-Humanists/events/mhwzglyzkbmb/ Our monthly group meeting at the Guildford Institute is held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. We'll usually have a speaker or a topic for this meeting, if you have any suggestions send me a message on Meetup and I'll forward them to the committee! See more details BOURNEMOUTH: Black Holes and Quantum Computing, Marika Taylor BOURNEMOUTH: Black Holes and Quantum Computing, Marika Taylor 9th July 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm Brunswick Pub 199 Malmesbury Park Road, Charminster, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH8 8PX Link: http://bournemouth.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/24869/Black-Holes-and-Quantum-Computing A quantum computer makes use of the quantum states of subatomic particles to store and process information. Quantum computing has the potential to solve problems faster than standard computers can do, and thus many researchers are working on developing large scale quantum computers. Remarkably, black holes can help us understand how a quantum computer might work: black holes are believed to be the most efficient quantum computers than can exist in nature. In this talk we will explain what black holes might teach us about quantum computing and conversely what quantum theory implies about the fundamental properties of black holes. ------ Marika Taylor studied for her PhD with Stephen Hawking in Cambridge. Following research at Cambridge and Harvard, she spent ten years working at the University of Amsterdam. She is currently the Head of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics at the University of Southampton. See more details PBH Fundraiser - Ash Pryce: Paranormal Illusionist LIVE PBH Fundraiser - Ash Pryce: Paranormal Illusionist LIVE 9th July 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm The Banshee Labyrinth Fundraiser for the ever excellent PBH Free Fringe. Come along and support the organisation that more than any other ensures the Fringe is true to its roots. FREE ENTRY. Bar opens at 7, room open from 7:25. All donations go to PBH Free Fringe, please give generously. - “★★★★★ If you want to see something truly amazing, this is the place to see it and this is the man to show you.“ – Bunbury magazine "Leicester's answer to Derren Brown" - BBC Leicester Edinburgh Horror Festival Sell Out Act 2016, 2017, 2018 ******************************** "Ash Pryce - Paranormal Illusionist: Live" is the brand new show from Edinburgh Horror Festival Sell Out Performer Ash Pryce. Step into the psychic's parlour for an experience with the supernatural, the paranormal, things that go BUMP in the night as you take part in a series of mind twisting demonstrations drawing on psychic super powers, spirit communication and the Seance. Combining psychic phenomena, ESP and spirit communication with stage mentalism, mind reading and wit, the show will skirt the edges of what is real and what is on the other side of the veil. Frightful and fun, you'll leave questioning your senses, and the world around you. This is a theatrical magic show - if we do summon demons during the course of the show, we cannot be held responsible for possessions. As part of a special edition of the show for skeptical crowds, Ash will spend time in the second half looking at some of the most famous psychic scams and hoaxes, including the biggest of them all... the one that started the entire movement https://www.facebook.com/events/2251799388469242/ See more details • • •	10 WINCHESTER: Skeptics of the Round Table WINCHESTER: Skeptics of the Round Table 10th July 2019 @ 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm The Bishop on the Bridge, 1 High St, Winchester SO23 9JX, UK Link: http://www.hampshireskeptics.org/?page_id=1374 See more details •	11 OSLO: Sommertreff på Amsterdam OSLO: Sommertreff på Amsterdam 11th July 2019 @ 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Cafe Amsterdam, Kristian Augusts gate 12, 0164 Oslo, Norway Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/920391325019847/ English below Skeptikere på Puben Oslo er tilbake. Skeptikere på Puben er et internasjonalt arrangement for å fremme kritisk tenking og vitenskap. 20+ ~~~~~~ Skeptikere på Puben Oslo is back. Skeptics in the pub is an international event to promote critical thinking and science. 20+ See more details PORTSMOUTH: Why diets don't work...and other myths about food, Pixie Turner PORTSMOUTH: Why diets don't work...and other myths about food, Pixie Turner 11th July 2019 @ 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm The Rifle Goldsmith Avenue, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO4 0AW Link: http://www.portsmouth.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/24854/Why-diets-dont-workand-other-myths-about-food Despite a wealth of information at our fingertips there are still so many things we get wrong about our health, and with a new diet book out every other day it’s no wonder people are confused. What should we be eating? When? How often? Just how important is food when it comes to our overall health? Humans have always been a bit weird around food. We’re told eating certain foods are the key to living longer, some foods are ‘sinful’ or ‘bad’, that ‘you are what you eat’, and that we must seek to obtain health at all costs. All this means we follow crazy diets that make things worse rather than better, and have a population where most of us dislike our bodies. Pixie Turner will unpack why diet and nutrition misinformation is so problematic, on social media, in mass media, and on a public health level, and why we could all benefit from taking a moment to assess our personal relationship with food. Expect some mythbusting, diet rants, and lots of fully-referenced evidence-based science. Doors: 7pm Talk 7:30pm £3 on the door See more details • •	12 PRAHA: Jan Toman: Vymírání a jejich role v evoluci PRAHA: Jan Toman: Vymírání a jejich role v evoluci 12th July 2019 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Viničná 1594/7, 128 00 Praha-Nové Město, Czechia Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2301016406828632/ Milí přátelé. Rádi bychom Vás srdečně pozvali na páteční přednášku, která se uskuteční v budově Přírodovědecké fakulty UK v Praze. Viničná 7, posluchárna zoologie B7 ve druhém patře. Vymírání druhů máme obvykle v mysli spojená se znaménkem minus. Co může být horšího než když nějaký nádherný druh, nota bene celý taxon, vymizí z povrchu zemského? Z hlediska evoluční biologie se ovšem jedná o nevyhnutelnou konstantu, která umožňuje rozvoj života, jak jej známe. Co způsobuje vymírání? Střídají se periody drastického vymírání v historii života pravidelně? A žijeme my sami v průběhu hromadné extinkce, nebo naopak urychlujeme evoluci? Všechny tyto otázky, které dnes rezonují mezi biology, se pokusíme v přednášce zodpovědět. See more details •	13	14
15 GLASGOW: Understanding Suicidal Behaviour GLASGOW: Understanding Suicidal Behaviour 15th July 2019 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm Waterstones Sauchiehall St 153-157 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3EW Glasgow, United Kingdom Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1413866925422564/ Suicide and self-harm are major public health concerns: indeed, suicide is the leading cause of death of men in mid-life. Prof. O’Connor will explore the complex set of factors that lead to suicidal thinking and behaviour. He will focus on the psychology of suicide and aim to challenge some of the myths surrounding it. About the speaker Professor Rory O'Connor leads the Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory at Glasgow University. He's been conducting research into suicide and self-harm for over 20 years. Twitter: @suicideresearch === Kickoff at 7pm sharp. This is event is free to attend, although we will be asking for donations at the end of the talk. Participants are under no obligation whatsoever to donate, however please rest assured that the money we collect doesn't end up in anyone's pocket - it is used to fund our overhead costs, and travel/accommodation for our speakers who come from further afield. === Accessibility: The talk is on the top floor of the store, however there is however a lift available for customers to use. See more details SHEFFIELD: Food Aid: Why We Should Give It and How We Should Give It, Mhairi Bowe SHEFFIELD: Food Aid: Why We Should Give It and How We Should Give It, Mhairi Bowe 15th July 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm Farm Road Sports & Social Club Farm Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S2 2TP, , (Press the buzzer to be let in. We are in the back room of the Club.) Link: http://www.sheffield.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/24863/Food-Aid-Why-We-Should-Give-It-and-How-We-Should-Give-It Food poverty and foodbank use has increased rapidly in the UK during the last decade. Food insecurity is also being experienced by more and more people in times of austerity, insecure employment, low incomes, and rising living costs. Still many people suffering extreme food poverty resist foodbank use due to the stigma of receiving this sort of help and common discourses about ‘foodbank tourists’ and ‘scroungers’. In this talk, Dr Mhairi Bowe will discuss her research looking the reasons for foodbank use in Nottinghamshire, the impact of stigma on the successful delivery of food aid, and the vital support resources being delivered by community-based foodbanks. Dr Mhairi Bowe is a Chartered Psychologist and Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Nottingham Trent University. Her research focuses on the impact of group-based identities and social relationships on psychological well-being and lived experiences. Mhairi’s work focuses on a variety of topics including the impact of social prescription, community engagement, and ecotherapy on mental and physical health. See more details LONDON: Why Diets Don’t Work – and Other Myths About Food and Health LONDON: Why Diets Don’t Work – and Other Myths About Food and Health 15th July 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm Brockway Room Link: https://conwayhall.org.uk/event/why-diets-dont-work-and-other-myths-about-food-and-health/ Despite a wealth of information at our fingertips there are still so many things we get wrong about our health, and with a new diet book out every other day it’s no wonder people are confused. What should we be eating? When? How often? Just how important is food when it comes to our overall health? Humans have always been a bit weird around food. We’re told eating certain foods are the key to living longer, some foods are ‘sinful’ or ‘bad’, that ‘you are what you eat’, and that we must seek to obtain health at all costs. All this means we follow crazy diets that make things worse rather than better and have a population where most of us dislike our bodies. Pixie Turner will unpack why diet and nutrition misinformation is so problematic, on social media, in mass media, and on a public health level, and why we could all benefit from taking a moment to assess our personal relationship with food. Expect some mythbusting, diet rants, and lots of fully-referenced evidence-based science. — Pixie Turner is a nutritionist (ANutr), food blogger, and science communicator. She graduated with a First Class degree in Biochemistry, and went on to complete a Masters in Nutrition with Distinction. She has been featured as a nutrition expert on BBC and Channel 5, and in publications such as Red magazine, Evening Standard, Grazia, the Telegraph and more. Her second book, ‘The No Need to Diet Book’ was March 2019 and will be available at the talk. — Doors 7.15pm. Start 7.30pm. Entry £8, £4 concessions (free to Conway Hall Ethical Society members, who should book these tickets in advance via the Book Now button) Event is subject to capacity, without exceptions. Space will be reserved for ticket holders. — This event is in the Brockway Room on the ground floor (accessible, Induction loop audio). For accessibility info: conwayhall.org.uk/about/visiting-us It is part of Conway Hall Ethical Society’s charitable programme and is tax-exempt See more details • • •	16 SOFIA: To the Moon and Back - Ratio Rooftop Party SOFIA: To the Moon and Back - Ratio Rooftop Party 16th July 2019 @ 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Muzeiko ул. Проф. Боян Каменов 3, 1700 Sofia, Bulgaria Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/449795232505099/ На 16 юли, точно преди 50 години, стартира мисията Аполо 11. Само 4 дни по-късно тя ще откара първите двама човека в историята, които ще стъпят на лунната повърхност. “Една малка стъпка за човек, един гигантски скок за човечеството”. За да отбележим този исторически момент, сме посветили следващото издание на Ratio Rooftop Party тъкмо на нашата небесна спътница, Луната. Акцентът ще бъде върху дългоочакваното ни завръщане на Луната - този път с идеята да останем и трайно да колонизираме нашия естествен спътник. Защо ни е да бием път до Луната и с какво подобно сложно и скъпо начинание може да ни бъде полезно? По-важни ли са мисиите ни към Луната отколкото към Марс? Как можем да използваме Луната за портал към звездите? Ще си говорим за предизвикателствата за достигане на екипажи и товари до лунната повърхност и защо от 1972 г. насам човешки крак не е стъпвал там. Кога и как ще започнем да строим сгради, а защо не и цели градове на лунната повърхност? Как биха изглеждали те и какви са изискванията, на които постройките трябва да отговарят? Специално за вас от Ratio звъннахме на когото трябва и уредихме пълнолуние точно на същия ден, за да можем истински да се насладим на магическата Луна. Заповядайте на 16 юли на покрива на Музейко, за да помечтаем реалистично за вълнуващото космическо бъдеще на човечеството! >>> За лекторите <<< Д-Р ВЛАДИМИР БОЖИЛОВ е преподавател в катедра „Астрономия“ на Физически факултет на Софийски университет, активен комуникатор на науката и лектор в планетариума на Детски научен център „Музейко“. В периода 2012-2018 г. е бил научен, а след това и главен редактор на сп. ВВС ЗНАНИЕ. Д-р Божилов е активен популяризатор на науката и редовен лектор на Софийския фестивал на науката, Европейска нощ на учените и други. Спечелва второ място в конкурса за комуникация на наука „Лаборатория за слава FameLab“ 2010 и първа награда в международното му издание „Hall of FameLab“ 2014 в Лондон, Великобритания. Чест гост е в радио и телевизионни предавания, където разказва на достъпен език най-новите открития от областта на Космоса. Съавтор е на книгата „Живот и Вселена“ и автор на повече от 30 научни и над 70 научнопопулярни публикации. От февруари 2017 г. е Национално контактно лице по Програма Хоризонт 2020. Очаквайте информация и за останалите лектори скоро. Билети: 10 лв. В деня на събитието: 15 лв. Събитието е за 18+ годишни. // Можем да гарантираме доброто ви настроение на събитието, но не можем да гарантираме хубаво време. При валежи ще се наложи да изместим датата на събитието и ще презаверим билетите ви. See more details GÖTEBORG: Månpub med VoF GÖTEBORG: Månpub med VoF 16th July 2019 @ 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Haket - Bar å sånt Masthuggstorget 5, 413 27 Gothenburg Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/443885529503990/ Fullmånen lyser över Göteborg igen! Du vet vad det betyder och vad du behöver göra. Vad väntar du på? Varmt välkommen till Haket! See more details LEICESTER: Man's Best Friend - A Skeptical Look at Bestiality, James Williams LEICESTER: Man's Best Friend - A Skeptical Look at Bestiality, James Williams 16th July 2019 @ 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Brewdog, Leicester 8 Friar Lane, , Leicester, LE1 5RA Link: http://www.leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/24866/Mans-Best-Friend--A-Skeptical-Look-at-Bestiality In 2005 a man named Kenneth Pinyan was anonymously dropped off at a Hospital in Washington, where he was later found dead in the emergency room. The man had died from a perforated colon from receiving anal sex from a full grown horse. In the following investigation the police were lead to a rural Enumclaw-area farm, which was known on the internet as a destination for people who wanted to have sex with livestock. There, they seized hundreds of hours of videotapes of men engaging in bestiality and the incident became known as the Enumclaw horse sex case. The case became infamous and lead to a rapid passing of a bill which made bestiality punishable in Washington by up to five years in prison. But what is bestiality? How is it defined? Why do people engage in it? Where does it come from? What is it's history? And why is it so reviled? Storyteller and skeptic James Williams will be taking a thorough and entertaining look at the murky world of bestiality; disentangling fact from fiction and discussing its bizarre history, zoology, humanity and philosophy. Humans, deer, monkeys, seals, dolphins, pigs, cattle, dogs and more. A world of Minotaurs, Gods disguised as swans and terrifying sounding grizzly–polar bear hybrids. What separates us from the animals? What makes us human? James Williams is a storyteller, science communicator and skeptic based in Bristol who specialises in critically discussing dark and taboo topics with humour and irreverence. An enthusiastic humanist and scientific skeptic, he cares deeply about science, education, critical thinking and social justice. His series of talks on taboos have appeared in venues across the country and covers other taboo topics such as cannibalism and necrophilia... See more details CHICHESTER: Talk Yourself Better, Ariane Sherine CHICHESTER: Talk Yourself Better, Ariane Sherine 16th July 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm Chichester Inn 38 West Street, Chichester, PO19 1RP, , Tel: 01243 783185, Email: info@chichesterinn.co.uk, Website: www.chichesterinn.co.uk Link: http://chichester.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/23837/Talk-Yourself-Better Ariane created the Atheist Bus Campaign: “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life” As a result, she received a deluge of hate mail from Christians, which led to a nervous breakdown and a three year break from writing. In this talk, she will tell the full story of how therapy and medication saved her life, prompting her to write her new book, Talk Yourself Better: A Confused Person’s Guide to Therapy, Counselling and Self-Help. Ariane Sherine is the comedy writer and journalist who created the Atheist Bus Campaign. She has written extensively for TV, national newspapers and magazines, and is the author of the bestselling celebrity book The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas. Entry £5 on the door. See more details CAMBRIDGE: Richard Wiseman: Achieve the Impossible with the Apollo Mindset CAMBRIDGE: Richard Wiseman: Achieve the Impossible with the Apollo Mindset 16th July 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 10:15 pm The Blue Moon, 2 Norfolk St, Cambridge CB1 2LF, UK Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2345163555546676/ Join us for an evening with Professor Richard Wiseman. 20th July 1969: Neil Armstrong becomes the first person to walk on the Moon. We all recognise this to be one of mankind's greatest achievements. Yet what did it take to make John F. Kennedy's dream a reality? In this remarkable book, Professor Richard Wiseman presents a pioneering study of the mindset that took humanity to the Moon, and shows how you can harness and use it to achieve the extraordinary in your everyday life. Don't miss this opportunity to join professor of psychology, bestselling author and magician Richard Wiseman, as discusses how, as part of his voyages through inner space, he found the eight key principles that make up the Apollo Mindset, including how pessimism is crucial to success, and how fear and tragedy can be transformed into hope and optimism. There will also be an opportunity for Q&A and Richard will be signing copies of his new book, which will be available to purchase at the event. Described by a Scientific American columnist as ‘…one of the most innovative experimental psychologists in the world today’, Richard’s books have sold over 3 million copies worldwide and have been, and he has presented keynote addresses to The Swiss Economic Forum and Google. Richard’s YouTube videos have had over 500 million views and he is one of the most followed psychologists on Twitter. The Independent On Sunday listed him in the top 100 people who make Britain a better place to live, and his work has made the front page of The Times, The Guardian, The New Scientist and The New Yorker. Tickets: £5.00 in advance online (card/paypal) £8.00 on the door (cash/card/contactless) Book: Shoot for the Moon: Achieve the Impossible with the Apollo Mindset' by Richard Wiseman - £20.00 Wheelchair Accessible: Yes (ramp access, 76cm doorway opening) However, please note there is currently no disabled toilet. See more details • • • • •	17 CAMBRIDGE: Rationalist International Conference CAMBRIDGE: Rationalist International Conference 17th July 2019 @ 10:00 am - 6:00 pm University Of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2, UK Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/438824273609038/ For registration, please visit www.Rationalists.net Time to discuss the perspective of a Rational World. Is it a dream, a utopia or a nightmare? Rationalists known in different names, or have a different focus of their activity - Atheists, Freethinkers, Humanists, Secularists, Skeptics, and Science Communicators - join together and discuss. The four major themes of the conference are: One Law for All The Future of Secularism Esoterism and the Occult Faith Healing and Evidence-based medicines Civil Liberties of Atheists Rational State - Dream, Utopia or Our Future? SPEAKERS Dan Barker (Freedom from Religion Foundation, USA), Sanal Edamaruku (Rationalist International, Finland), Taslima Nasrin (an Exiled writer from Bangladesh), Michael Nugent (Atheists Ireland), Armin Navabi (Atheist Republic, Canada), Maryam Namazie (Council of ex-Muslims, UK), Mark W Gura (United Atheists, USA), Robert Eagle (TV producer, UK), Adrian Bailey (Birmingham Humanists, UK), David Rand (Atheist Freethinkers, Canada), Sadia Hameed (Council of ex-Muslims, UK), Nina Sankari (Kazimierz Łyszczyński Foundation, Poland), Nacer Amari (Exiled Rationalist, Tunisia), CP John (Economist, India), Zara Kay (Hijabi Atheists, Australia), Rajesh Raman (United Rationalists of UK), Tom Adithya (Mayor, Bradley Stoke, UK) Speakers illustrate from their own work and experience where they think the boundary lies between reason and the irrational, between what is desirable and destructive in human thought and activity, and to what extent the encouragement - or suppression - of any kind of thought might be compatible with social well-being. The agenda of the Rationalist International Conference 2019 is broadly based, including politics, psychology, philosophy, religion, and science, with an international cast of speakers and delegates. The venue of Rationalist International Conference 2019 is the Møller Centre at Churchill College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. For registration, please visit www.Rationalists.net See more details GRAVESEND: Myths and Legends of Transylvania, William Hunter GRAVESEND: Myths and Legends of Transylvania, William Hunter 17th July 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm No. 84 Tea Room 84 Parrock Road, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 1QF Link: http://gravesend.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/24860/Myths-and-Legends-of-Transylvania Transylvania is a byword for vampires and gypsy magic – but there is so much more strangeness that makes Dracula look pretty tame. Lore is passed on through fireside tales of demons, underworlds and wicked spirits that exist alongside humans, of a creator God who has long abandoned his world. Transylvania has long been a place of conflict, of cultural clashes and invasion. Within this unique European pressure cooker of faith and war, supernatural beliefs took hold in everyday life. The magical practices of actual Transylvanians from the beginning of the last century up to the present day were about giving reason to a violent world, a way of gaining some agency in the chaos. William Hunter talks about why magic is needed, on what basis it is done, and some of the techniques he has seen performed. He was raised in the Carpathian mountains of Transylvania and spent most of his childhood with monks, fortune tellers and very tall trees. SInce then he has travelled throughout Europe exploring surviving or reimagined native beliefs, partaking in Fire festivals and fertility rites from Scotland to Albania. See more details WORTHING: Talk Yourself Better, Ariane Sherine WORTHING: Talk Yourself Better, Ariane Sherine 17th July 2019 @ 9:00 pm - 12:00 am Grand Victoria Hotel function room Link: http://www.worthing.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/22831/Talk-Yourself-Better Comedy writer and journalist Ariane Sherine created and organised the Atheist Bus Campaign, persuading Richard Dawkins and Humanists UK to support her – and buses with variations on the slogan “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life” ran in 13 countries across the globe. As a result, Ariane received an Inbox full of hate mail from Christians, which eventually led to a major nervous breakdown and suicidal ideation. She ended her journalistic career, and didn’t write again for over three years. In this talk, she will tell the full story of how therapy and medication saved her life, prompting her to write her new book, Talk Yourself Better: A Confused Person’s Guide to Therapy, Counselling and Self-Help. Ariane will also be signing copies of Talk Yourself Better. 5.00 on the door. See more details • • •	18 KÖLN: Globuli, Kornkreis und dreimal schwarzer Kater – Magisches Denken und Esoterik KÖLN: Globuli, Kornkreis und dreimal schwarzer Kater – Magisches Denken und Esoterik 18th July 2019 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Herbrand's, Herbrandstr. 21 · Koeln Link: https://www.meetup.com/Skeptics-in-the-Pub-Koln/events/258237665/ Globuli, Kornkreis und dreimal schwarzer Kater – Magisches Denken als vormoderne Wurzel der modernen Esoterik - Mirko Gutjahr Astro-TV, Orgon-Akkumulator und Heilstein-Horoskop: Was als moderne Lebenshilfe anmutet, hat seinen Ursprung in archaischen Denkmustern, die nicht vollständig durch ein modernes rational-wissenschaftliche Weltbild abgelöst wurden. Zugrunde liegt ihnen ein vormodernes und vorrationales Verständnis der Welt als geordnetes Beziehungsgeflecht zwischen „Oben und Unten“, uralte Prinzipien, die heutzutage nur in ein modernes Gewand gekleidet werden, wie sich an einigen Beispielen aus unterschiedlichen Epochen zeigen lassen wird. Selbst bei hartgesottenen Skeptikern ist es nur schwer auszurotten, wie der Vortragende zusammen mit dem Skeptics-in-the-Pub-Publikum auf der Bühne experimentell unter Beweis stellen wird. Mirko Gutjahr ist Archäologe und Historiker und arbeitet als wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter See more details ZÜRICH: Vorstandssitzung Juli 2019 ZÜRICH: Vorstandssitzung Juli 2019 18th July 2019 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Oase, Hauptbahnhof Zürich Link: https://www.skeptiker.ch/event/vorstandssitzung-juli-2019/ Vorstandssitzung der Skeptiker Schweiz Wann: jeden 3. Donnerstag im Monat um 19 Uhr Wo: Oase, Hauptbahnhof Zürich Mitglieder sind herzlich willkommen. See more details BEDFORD: Why Diets Don’t Work, Pixie Turner BEDFORD: Why Diets Don’t Work, Pixie Turner 18th July 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm North End Social Club 60 Roff Avenue, Bedford MK41 7TW Link: http://bedford.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/22825/Why-Diets-Dont-Work Despite a wealth of information at our fingertips there are still so many things we get wrong about our health, and with a new diet book out every other day it’s no wonder people are confused. What should we be eating? When? How often? Just how important is food when it comes to our overall health? Humans have always been a bit weird around food. We’re told eating certain foods are the key to living longer, some foods are ‘sinful’ or ‘bad’, that ‘you are what you eat’, and that we must seek to obtain health at all costs. All this means we follow crazy diets that make things worse rather than better, and have a population where most of us dislike our bodies. Pixie will unpack why diet and nutrition misinformation is so problematic, on social media, in mass media, and on a public health level, and why we could all benefit from taking a moment to assess our personal relationship with food. Expect some mythbusting, diet rants, and lots of fully-referenced evidence-based science. Pixie is a nutritionist (ANutr), food blogger, and science communicator. She graduated with a First Class degree in Biochemistry, and went on to complete a Masters in Nutrition with Distinction. She is the brains behind the 'Pixie Nutrition' social media accounts, which aim to infiltrate the wellness movement and debunk nutrition misinformation online. In addition, she has been featured as a nutrition expert on BBC and Channel 5, and in publications such as Red magazine, Evening Standard, Grazia, the Telegraph and more. Her first book, ‘The Wellness Rebel’ was published early 2018, with her second book, ‘The No Need to Diet Book’ released March 2019 See more details • • •	19 PRAHA: Milan Halousek: Apollo 11 PRAHA: Milan Halousek: Apollo 11 19th July 2019 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Viničná 1594/7, 128 00 Praha-Nové Město, Czechia Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/406365980093174/ Milí přátelé, dovolujeme si Vás pozvat na speciální přednášku u příležitosti 50. výročí prvního přistání lidí na Měsíci. Uskuteční se 19. července od 17 hodin v Praze na Přírodovědecké fakultě UK, posluchárna B7 zoologie ve druhém patře. APOLLO 11: MALÝ KROK PRO ČLOVĚKA, VELIKÝ SKOK PRO LIDSTVO… Když v neděli 20. července 1969 přistál na měsíčním povrchu lunární modul „Eagle“ americké kosmické expedice Apollo 11 a astronauté Neil Armstrong a Edwin Aldrin otiskli své první stopy do měsíčního prachu, naplnily se sny milionů pozemšťanů o cestování vesmírem. Program Apollo nebyly jen úspěchy, cestu ze Země na Měsíc provázela celá řada problémů a také smrt několika astronautů. Především to ale bylo veliké lidské dobrodružství! Americký prezident Nixon měl připravený smuteční projev pro případ, že by mise Apollo 11 selhala, američtí státní zaměstnanci měli v den přistání na Měsíci pracovní volno. Když potom vše dobře dopadlo, zasypali Američané v New Yorku posádku více než 20 tunami papírových konfet. Dramatický příběh dobytí Měsíce představí Milan Halousek z České astronomické společnosti. See more details •	20 GÖTEBORG: VoF uppmärksammar månlandningen 50 år! GÖTEBORG: VoF uppmärksammar månlandningen 50 år! 20th July 2019 @ 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm Haket, Första Långgatan 32, 413 27 Göteborg, Sweden Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2040006012974866/ See more details •	21
22 WINCHESTER: Pi Approximation Day WINCHESTER: Pi Approximation Day 22nd July 2019 See more details •	23 SOFIA: Музеят гостува на Ratio: Праисторически свят SOFIA: Музеят гостува на Ratio: Праисторически свят 23rd July 2019 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Kino Cabana National Palace of Culture, 1463 Sofia, Bulgaria Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/497802744317110/ Динозаврите са искрата, която филмовите компании използват, за да палят въображението на публиката, но праисторията е много повече от динозаврите и техния преексплоатиран медиен образ. Факт е, че 99.9% процента от всички организми живели някога на планетата ни са изчезнали. Как обаче са изглеждали те? Къде са живели, как са функционирали и как са се развивали през еоните? Защо са изчезвали? Присъединете се към учените от Националния природонаучен музей при БАН, които ще ви поведат на пътешествие из дълбините на времето и науката, за да открием заедно с тях: 👉 Кои са древните животни обитавали нашите земи? 👉 Имало ли е динозаври в България? 👉 Какви са последните находки на учените, свързани с най-ранните предци на хората? По време на това пътешествие ще научите още къде може да откриете днес останки от древни организми, как учените ги датират, как модерните технологии отварят нови хоризонти пред палеонтологията и, не на последно място, как всеотдайността и усилията на поколения палеонтолози възкресяват отдавна изгубени светове. ___________ ЛЕКТОРИ: Проф. д-р Николай Спасов е настоящият директор на Националния природонаучен музей при БАН и има около 240 научни публикации в областта на еволюцията, палеонтологията и палеоантропологията, систематиката, археозоологията и екологията на бозайниците. Ръководител и участник в редица зоологически и природозащитни проекти и проучвания, палеонтологически разкопки и зоологически експедиции по света. Асоцииран член е на Лабораторията по еволюцията на човека в Париж, Франция. Д-р Латинка Христова е гл. асистент в отдел „Палеонтология и минералогия“ на Националния природонаучен музей при БАН. Завършила e геология (специализация по палеонтология и стратиграфия) в СУ "Св. Климент Охридски“. Занимава се с палеонтология на гръбначни животни, като основно изучава хипариони (примитивна група коне), пещерни мечки и къснокредни костенурки. Любимци са ѝ примитивните коне - тяхната систематика, палеоекология и еволюция. Владимир Николов е докторант на Националния природонаучен музей при БАН, магистър по геология и палеонтология с диплома от СУ „Св. Климент Охридски“. Изследванията му са в областта на палеохистологията и конкретно костната хистология на българските нептичи динозаври. В допълнение към палеонтологичната си дейност, той е и художник палеоартист/палеоилюстратор – т.е. занимава се с изработването на научно обосновани художествени реконструкции на фосилни животни и растения или дори на цели праисторически екосистеми. Илюстрирал е детската книга “Excavate Dinosaurs! Paper Toy Palaeontology”. ___________ Събитието се осъществява съвместно с Националния природонаучен музей при БАН и е част от серия събития посветени на 130-ата годишнина от създаването на музея и 150-ата годишнина от основаването на Българската академия на науките. See more details •	24 GREENWICH: The Politics of American Conspiracy Theories, Prof Joe Uscinski GREENWICH: The Politics of American Conspiracy Theories, Prof Joe Uscinski 24th July 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm Link: http://greenwich.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/19701/The-Politics-of-American-Conspiracy-Theories Particularly since 2016, conspiracy theories became a mainstay of American political debate. Not only did conspiracy theories affect major political decisions (i.e., the election of Trump), but conspiracy theories have become the currency of mainstream political debate. Why has this happened, and what are the measurable effects? What are the dangers of this turn toward dark and disturbing narratives? Professor Uscinski will bring to bear a wealth of polling data from the US to explain how, when, and why conspiracy theories will affect political debate and decision-making. The surprising findings address the following questions: Who believes in conspiracy theories and why? Why are some conspiracy theories more popular than others? What are the dangers of conspiracy theories? Are conspiracy theorists prone to violence? How did conspiracy theories affect the 2016 and 2018 elections? What can conspiracy theories in the United States tell us about conspiracy theories in the United Kingdom? Joseph Uscinski is associate professor of political science at University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL. He is co-author of American Conspiracy Theories (Oxford, 2014) and editor of Conspiracy Theories and the People Who Believe Them (Oxford, 2018). See more details •	25 WINCHESTER: Paul D McGarrity – A Practical Guide to Attacking Castles WINCHESTER: Paul D McGarrity – A Practical Guide to Attacking Castles 25th July 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:00 pm The Winchester Discovery Centre Link: http://www.hampshireskeptics.org/?page_id=3932 From the age of sieges and chivalry comes a show about medieval love, adrenaline junkies and an insane quest for glory. Join comedian and archaeologist Paul Duncan McGarrity as he explains how modern life could be so much better if we all take a moment and learn how to attack a castle. From the host of the Ask an Archaeologist podcast and live show comes another hour of hysterical historical fun. ‘A more pleasant way to pass an hour could scarcely be found’ PAUL D MCGARRITY Paul Duncan McGarrity, the UK’s foremost Stand up comedian archaeologist, as seen on BBC4’s The Big Dig, is taking his critically acclaimed sell out Edinburgh Fringe show ‘Ask an Archaeologist’ on the road as ‘Paul Duncan McGarrity vs The Minor-tour’. The ‘Ask an Archaeologist’ show does exactly what it says in the title. An Archaeologist (Paul) sits in a room with an audience and answers their questions. Most audiences tend to ask about life in the field, but other questions have been about Brexit, time travel and knitting patterns. Woven around these queries Paul dishes the dirt on what it’s really like down in the trenches. Topics covered include the dating techniques of Vikings, the awkward truth behind the death of Richard III and Shakespeare’s laddish side. To complement this unique approach to both history and comedy the ‘Minor-tour’ will be stopping off in on some rather unusual venues, although this won’t be too much of a departure for Paul as he has already performed shows in the grounds of a 14th century abbey and in an inflatable tent right next door to Hadrian’s wall. http://paulduncanmcgarrity.co.uk/press @PaulDuncanMcG See more details •	26 PRAHA: Jaromír Šrámek: K čemu jsou matematické modely šíření infekcí? PRAHA: Jaromír Šrámek: K čemu jsou matematické modely šíření infekcí? 26th July 2019 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Viničná 1594/7, 128 00 Praha-Nové Město, Czechia Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/318385102430406/ Milí přátelé. Přijměte prosím srdečné pozvání na páteční přednášku. Tato se uskuteční v budově Přírodovědecké fakulty UK, Viničná 7, posluchárna zoologie B7 ve druhém patře. V souvislosti s návratem spalniček se hovoří o nutnosti udržení dostatečné proočkovanosti. Jak určit kritickou hodnotu, při které bude již nebezpečí šíření infekce v populaci příliš vysoké? Takové číslo není možné určit přímým experimentem a odhad i toho nejvíce erudovaného experta by byl jen nepodložené číslo. Nástrojem pro odhad chování epidemie jsou matematické modely epidemií. V přednášce bude podán přehled toho, jak je možné modelovat průběh epidemie a jak lze experimety na modelu získat třeba právě kritickou hranici proočkovanosti. I když budou představeny různé přístupy k modelování epidemií, těžiště bude ležet v oblasti kompartmentových modelů. See more details •	27	28 EDINBURGH: Skeptical Sunday Lunch EDINBURGH: Skeptical Sunday Lunch 28th July 2019 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Filmhouse PLEASE NOTE THE NEW VENUE Menu - www.filmhousecinema.com/sites/filmhousecinema.com/files/inline-files/Food%20Menu%20Feb%202019%20Price%20changes.pdf Get together for a pub lunch on a Sunday afternoon, save the cooking and washing up, have a drink, some great food and discuss all things skeptical, science, pseudoscience, politics, religion, anything. We welcome like-minded individuals to join us. No need to book but please RSVP to help us confirm numbers. https://www.facebook.com/events/945401862464782/ See more details •
29	30 CAMBRIDGE: The Epigenetics Revolution CAMBRIDGE: The Epigenetics Revolution 30th July 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 10:15 pm The Blue Moon, 2 Norfolk St, Cambridge CB1 2LF, UK Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/310630459750778/ The Epigenetics Revolution Speaker: Nessa Carey Modern biology is rewriting our understanding of genetics, disease and inheritance. There are lots of situations where two things that are the same at the DNA level are different in appearance and behaviour. These tell us that there is more to life than just the genetic code, and they are known as epigenetic phenomena. Think of a caterpillar and a butterfly, or a slipper limpet that can change its sex as an adult shellfish. Identical twins become more dissimilar as they age, despite sharing an identical DNA script. The differences can even be as extreme as one twin developing a serious disease while the other remains completely healthy. Scientists are starting to understand how these epigenetic differences are created and maintained. The process depends on a complex set of chemicals that our cells add to our genes. These chemical changes controls how genes are expressed, so that the same genetic code can create different outcomes. They can also have unexpected effects. For example, epigenetics is very significant to human health and disease and may have a role in a wide range of conditions from chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and schizophrenia, to drug addiction and to the long term effects of abusive or neglectful childhoods. It is also known to be important in cancer. Sometimes, epigenetic effects may even be passed on from parent to child. Children born to mothers who have lived through starvation may have increased susceptibilities to various diseases later in life. Animal studies have suggested that fear itself may be passed down to offspring. Nessa Carey has a virology PhD from the University of Edinburgh and is a former Senior Lecturer in Molecular Biology at Imperial College, London. She has worked in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry for ten years. Tickets: Not on sale yet. £3.00 in advance online (card/paypal) £5.00 on the door (cash/card/contactless) Wheelchair Accessible: Yes (ramp access, 76cm doorway opening) However, please note there is currently no disabled toilet. See more details MAIDSTONE: Sell Off- Film Screening MAIDSTONE: Sell Off- Film Screening 30th July 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm Market House, 30 Earl St, Maidstone ME14 1PS, UK Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2338117709599031/ 'Sell Off' is a film by Peter Bach about the selling off, privatisation of our health service, and dismantling of our NHS. The film is just under an hour long, and charts how successive governments have dismantled our health service over a 30 year period. This documentary is split into 10 chapters, and features many health professionals on the front line. Speakers following the film will update people as to the situation today, what is happening to our local hospitals, and will inform the audience as to what we can do to save what's left of our NHS. This event is a call to action, as this will effect everyone in the country. The film will be followed with a qna with doctors in the film. £5 on the night to cover costs with extra raised going to charity See more details • •	31 MAIDSTONE: Tall Building Fire Safety: The Burning Issue MAIDSTONE: Tall Building Fire Safety: The Burning Issue 31st July 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:00 pm The Market House Earl Street Maidstone, ME14 1PS Kent, Kent, United Kingdom Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2227883830798968/ The vast majority of buildings are a mixture of ignition sources and materials that can act as fuel meaning fire risks have to be managed carefully. Tall buildings, especially where people live, are a particular challenge because of their shape and size. In this lecture Dr Claire M Benson will discuss the technical measures that are meant to be put in place to prevent a 'towering inferno' scenario, as well as the oversight failures identified before, and following, the tragic Grenfell tower disaster and how we can stop events like this happening in future. Dr Claire Benson is a fire and explosion scientist with over ten years experience researching and lecturing as part of the Explosion and Fire Research Group at London South Bank University. She has a PhD in chemical engineering, specialising in high-pressure oxygen system safety. Her research areas include fire suppression, fire and arson investigation, fire safety systems. She has conducted research for the London Fire Brigade, Sellafield Ltd and the Ministry of Defence. £5 on the night with extra raised going to charity See more details •