Monday
Imperial’s Energy Futures Lab hosts its Annual Lecture 2012 tonight, entitled ‘More sustainable power generation technologies’. Charles Soothill, Chief Technology Officer for ALSTOM Power will take a look at the implications and future of the development of new technologies at ALSTOM. 6-7pm in the Mechanical Engineering department; free but book in advance.
On a lighter note, it is that time of the month again: the Royal Institution quiz, hosted by Londonist’s Matt Brown. 7pm start; £2 entry; no need to book.
Tuesday
Join me for a debate entitled “Science and design: parallel processes?” at the Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design which will host panelists including Professor Geraint Rees, group leader of Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging and Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Leonora Oppenheim, a design storyteller whose main focus is Creative Data, an initiative that communicates data and research to the public through a series of interactive design exhibitions and creative learning projects. 7pm; free but registration essential.
Wednesday
The highlight of the week for science communicators at the Royal Institution tonight: the Grand Final of FameLabUK! FameLab is the international competition for science communication and this is the culmination of regional heats held earlier in the year. You can see Nature London’s coverage of the London heats to get a feel for it and attend the final in person to see London winner Lucy Thorne take on the final competition. 7pm at the RI: £10 and advised to book in advance. Dress code: glam up!
Thursday
A personal medical journey at the Wellcome Collection tonight: patient Edward and physiotherapist Jenny tell the story of his long, painful recovery from acute pancreatitis and the stages of care that brought him back to life. 7-8pm; free but book.
Friday
The lunchtime lecture at UCL will see neuroscientist Helen Moore uncovering how we can use light more effectively in our day-to-day lives and explaining what her work on zebrafish has to do with our own body clocks. 1:10-1:55; bring your lunch!
The Weekend
To summarise all the topics Ken Hollings and Quentin Cooper plan to cover in an hour of “Brain Wars” at the Wellcome Colllection would be impossible. A whistle stop tour of the history of neuroscience, from historical to current controversies including psychotherapy, mood stabilisers, the use of neuroscience in warfare and more. Sunday, 3-4pm; free.
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):