Monday
The Institution of Engineering and Technology has a topical one tonight: a look at energy efficiency of the Olympic development. Panelists include representatives from Buro Happold and the ODA and will look at the strategies for delivering the energy strategy of the Olympic Park itself. 6-8:30; free but book.
Tuesday
The second in the series guest curated by Alok Jha at the Royal Institution is one especially for the science communicators amongst us: “Scientists and journalists need different things from science. Discuss”. With Alice Bell, Chris Chambers and Ananyo Bhattacharya for company, Alok will look at the gulf between what journalists do and what scientists think they should do. 7pm at the RI, £10, good availability at the moment, but I suggest booking soon.
Wednesday
Fracking has been in the press a good deal in recent weeks with last year’s earthquake in the UK largely blamed on it, and tonight the Dana Centre investigates the controversial new gas extraction technique with a showing of Josh Fox’s Oscar-nominated film Gasland. The film will be followed by a Q&A with experts from all sides of the debate. 6:30pm; free but book.
Thursday
Science Question Time is back and with a nicely controversial topic: nuclear power. The tagline asks “It’s 2012: can the UK finally have a mature debate on Nuclear Policy?” and those attempting to do just that tonight include the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Greenpeace and Nature’s Geoff Brumfiel who will be chairing the debate. 6:30pm at the Institute of Physics (near Great Portland Street); free but only 31 tickets remain so book now!
Friday
A History of Science lunchtime lecture at the Royal Society today on Florence Nightingale, looking particularly at her dislike of being painted. Natasha McEnroe, Director of the Florence Nightingale Museum, will look at her life through images to see what can be discerned about her life and final illness. Doors 12:30 for 1pm, free, no booking needed.
The Weekend
Hampstead Observatory is still running its winter schedule of observing, open Friday and Saturday night 8-10pm for star gazing and Sunday 11-1pm for sun gazing. Free and no need to book, but all weather dependent, so check first.
You can follow the Nature Network London Google calendar of events in London at https://blogs.nature.com/london/2011/05/17/scientific-events-calendar. Updated daily.
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As well as our regularly maintained calendar, you can find lots of other suggestions of science-y events in London. We have compiled a list of some other places to look: we will continue adding to this list, and please do, as always, send us additions for it:
Collections and calendars
Londonist recommendations: All things scientific, technical and geeky
Ian Visits: A calendar of all types of events in London, including science and engineering, with added editorial
Museums, societies etc:
Wellcome Collection: Regular events and exhibitions of a medical flavour at the Wellcome Collection on Euston Road
Royal Institution: Miscellaneous science and policy events
Royal Society: Science, policy and conferences
ZSL: Zoological Society of London; occasional events on conservation and zoology
Hunterian Museum: Part of the Royal College of Surgeons, with a treasure trove of specimens and surgical paraphenalia
University calendars (usually featuring dozens of events per week):