M’learned friend Ian Visits reminds me it’s that time of year again. The Ig Nobel roadshow rolls into town on 17 March. I’ve been twice before. Believe me, you won’t find a better free chuckle anywhere.

The Ig Nobels, lest we forget, celebrate research that first makes you laugh and then makes you think. Previous winners include a study of gay necrophilia in mallards, asymmetric scrotums and the painful side effects of sword swallowing. This year’s event coincides yet again with my wedding anniversary. What would you do?

The show at Imperial College next month will bring together some of the recent prize winners, under the affable comperemanship of Ig Nobel head Mark Abrahams. Read my write-up of the 2009 show here.

To book tickets, email graduate.schools@imperial.ac.uk with your name, address and number of tickets (max 2 per person).