Tuesday
Head down to the Royal Society tonight for two events: first a Cafe Scientifique style event on Untangling String Theory (5:15pm), followed by a discussion on the Neuroscience of Emotion Part of their summer exhibition, the panel will consist of Professor David Freedberg, Dr Daniela Schiller, Ian McEwan and chaired by Professor Ray Dolan FRS. Currently sold out, but you can watch online at royalsociety.tv
Over in Brixton, Lizzie Crouch will be the designated scientist leading an experiment and discussion at the third Science in the Pub 7:30 at the Ritzy – all welcome for informal chat with fellow science geeks.
Last but not least, the third Science Question Time will be held at Imperial College, featuring panelists Ehsan Masood, Editor of Research Fortnight and Research Europe, Philip Campbell, Editor-in-Chief Nature, Jonathan Haskel, Professor of Economics at Imperial College Business School, Clare Matterson, Director – Medical Humanities and Engagment at the Wellcome Trust and Bob Ward, Policy and Communications Director – Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment. 6:30pm, currently sold out.
Wednesday
with Annabelle Gawer giving an introduction to Digital Platforms: Industry Dynamics and Business Strategies. 4pm: free but register in advance.
Thursday
Potentially controversial event at the RI tonight: Professor Raymond Tallis on ‘Aping mankind: neuromania, darwinitis and the misrepresentation of mankind’ The RI promises that “Ray will deliver a talk that promises an all-out assault on pseudo-Darwinian thought that is increasingly dominating discussion of what we humans are. He claims, this is progressively encroaching on the humanities – neuro-aesthetics, neuro-economic, neuro-theology etc – and politicians have caught the bug.” 7pm, £10, book in advance.
Friday
Tonight’s Royal Society event is a panel event: Is biodiversity going the way of the dodo? which asks “Climate change is predicted to become a major threat to biodiversity in the 21st century, but will climate change trigger a mass extinction?” 6:30pm: Bookings being taken now for the waiting list.
To see biodiversity before it does go, the weekly Zoo Lates is on again tonight at London Zoo.
Saturday/Sunday
Two events this weekend as part of the Royal Society’s Summer Exhibition: Talking primates: human language vs chimp communication on Saturday and a discussion on the science and worries of solar flares. Both events start at 3pm and are informal Cafe Scientifique style events, so no need to book.
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.