14th June 2023

What is Epigenetics? 

how life and environment affect our genes

We’re used to saying ‘It’s genetics’ and believing that we are who we are because of the genes we inherited from our parents. But, what if, our life experiences and environment also shape our genetics? Every cell of an organism contains its complete set of instructions to build that organism – its DNA. DNA is made up of the four bases, A,T,C and G, 3 billion of them. But how can identical twins that share the same DNA exhibit such dramatic differences in the way that they live and age? Dr. Olivia Grant from the School of Neuroscience at Kings College London will explain how cells control gene activity without changing the DNA sequence. Olivia is currently researching the genetics and epigenetics of Motor Neurone Disease.

17th May 2023

Deep, dark secrets of the Mediterranean

There is a beautiful, undiscovered ecosystem in the Aegean Sea situated between Greece and Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean. Too deep for diving, an expedition using an ROVs (remotely operated vehicle) went to 100m and discovered coralline reefs – living structures made of algae, which attract colourful marine life and create a key ecosystem, bursting with biodiversity.   Professor Leanne Hepburn from the School of Life Sciences at the University of Essex will explain that although they are one of the oldest and most complex marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean, they remain understudied and unprotected. The race is now on how to map and gain protection from trawlers which could destroy this hidden gem of the Mediterranean before we even know what is there.

19th April 2023

Brain Injury research at University of Essex

The topic of brain injuries is perhaps better understood lately thanks to improved awareness of risk of concussions in sport.  Professor Andrew Bateman from the School of Health and Social Care at the University of Essex will share some of the research they are doing to improve clinical and social care.

They are looking at a how to: –

              • improve training of social workers

              • treat aspects of paralysis

              • improve provision of rehabilitation services

              • measure recovery

He will also discuss rehabilitation as a human right and much more besides!

Professor Bateman is looking forward to sharing exciting news about work on the horizon that will directly benefit people in Colchester.

8th March 2023

Brain-Computer Interfaces for Cognitive Enhancement

Recent advances in neurotechnologies have paved the way to innovative applications that augment and enhance human cognition – e.g., perception, memory, attention, communication, decision-making – in a variety of ways and contexts, and these include Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs). BCIs have traditionally been used to convert brain signals into commands for devices such as wheelchairs or computer cursors, or to communicate, when the natural way of controlling or communicating is severely lost. However, BCI applications have in the recent years expanded to cognitive augmentation. Dr Caterina Cinel, from the Essex Brain-Computer Interface and Neural Engineering Lab at the University of Essex, will give an overview of the most recent progress in this area, including her most recent work with BCIs and decision-making.

8th February 2023

Is Net Zero a highway to climate hell?

Professor Alan Drew from the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences at Queen Mary University of London will share his research in sustainable energy generation and storage, and how it can help – or hinder – our efforts to combat anthropogenic (human caused) climate change. He will draw examples from his experience in international development, policy work and science and engineering, bridging the gap between the hard sciences, soft sciences, political and socioeconomic research areas, setting out the challenges we face along with the obvious flaws in current UK and international energy, industry and transport policy. 

11th January 2023

Drumming up a connection:

Heath and wellbeing benefits of Rock Drumming Tuition

Dr Ruth Lowry from the School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences at the University of Essex will share her ongoing research work that explores the potential psychological and social benefits of learning to play the drums. This research has primarily been with children and adolescents who have emotional, behavioural and developmental difficulties including Autism. Using acoustic and electronic rock drum kits, the researchers from the Clem Burke Drumming Project have been working with teachers, support staff and parents to deliver drumming instruction within the school day as well as home settings gathering evidence on motor skills, social wellbeing and neurological change.

14th December 2022

What does it mean to have an accent?

The way that we speak reflects who we are but also who others think we are. Dr Amanda Cole’s research found that people from Essex were judged to be 11% less intelligent on average compared to other people from the South East based on their accent. Dr Ella Jeffries’ research finds that children from Essex show a preference for their local accent. During this talk Dr Cole and Dr Jeffries from the Department of Language & Linguistics at the University of Essex will explore these findings in the context of what it means to have an accent. Dr Cole and Dr Jeffries debunk the myth of ‘I don’t really have an accent’ (spoiler alert: everyone who speaks has an accent!) and introduce the topic of accent discrimination. They address questions such as: What does it mean to have an accent? Why don’t we all speak the same? Why are some accents seen as better than others?

9th November 2022

Refresh my memory again? – The latest ageing research in Essex

During this talk, Dr Vanessa Loaiza from the Department of Psychology at the University of Essex will share her latest ongoing research projects concerning memory and cognition in older age. The projects all address some of the most frequently asked questions that she gets as a cognitive developmental psychologist, including how to improve memory and cognitive abilities, how to know when it’s dementia versus just a “senior moment”, and what her research really means for everyday life.