Dr K Staples, Southampton University

26th October 2020 7.15 for 7.30pm by Zoom

His research focuses on the role of the macrophage in chronic lung diseases, such as asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and how the function of these cells can be changed by infection with common respiratory viruses like influenza. Needless to say he will also be mentioning Covid-19 and its impact on lung function.

Anne-marie Coyle, Sales Director, GE Renewable Energy

November 16th 2020 7.00 for 7.30pm by Zoom

Anne-marie has worked in all aspects of project development, construction and operation of offshore wind energy since 1998.  The growth in renewable energy and the deployment experience is leading to rapidly reducing costs which can be clearly seen in the global context of the renewable energy markets.  Her talk will explain how offshore wind projects are developed, constructed and managed for their 20-30 year life and how the UK became the world’s leading market.  Anne-marie will also share an introduction to GE’s latest offshore wind turbine technology which is the largest and most efficient in the world – the blades are 107m long and the foundations can weight up to 2,000 tonnes! 

Dr Matthew Partridge, Southampton University

January 18th 2021 7.30pm £3pp on the door

The magical internet-providing properties of fibre optics are well-known. But hardly anyone has heard of fibre optics that can diagnosis cancer or detect gravity waves, and Matthew Partridge is not happy about that. These wonderful, cutting-edge devices can do amazing things and fix almost any problem. Don’t believe something so tiny can save the world? Come hear about the history of fibre optics and what exciting things they can do beyond streaming movies and challenge Matthew to solve any problem you can name with fibre optics.

Dr Robin Wilson

15th February 2021 7.30pm £3 pp onthe door

Hundreds of satellites orbit the Earth every day, collecting data that is used for monitoring almost all aspects of the environment. This talk will introduce to you the world of satellite imaging, take you beyond the 'pretty pictures' to the scientific data behind them, and show you how the data can be applied to monitor plant growth, air pollution and more.

Mark Kirkbride, Member on the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM)

March 15th 2021 7.30pm £3pp on the door

Since the late 1940’s the UK has been involved in nuclear science and engineering, with the creation of waste being an integral part of that industry.  There has been significant focus upon long-term storage and disposal of this nuclear waste inventory.  The talk will seek to explain the types of nuclear waste, historical background and work towards the development of a deep geological disposal facility in the UK for disposal of nuclear waste.