4th June 2025

Essex Rock:- the story of Essex through deep time

Speaker: Speaker: Ian Mercer, retired geologist

Almost everything we know about Earth’s past has been learnt by digging into sediments and rocks and studying them. From the closing and opening of oceans, mountain building and erupting volcanoes, to floods and ice sheets, the dynamic story of lost worlds in deep time is told by the rocks we find across the county. Ian reveals glimpses of the deep history of Essex from 500 million years ago through to the current Ice Age. Slate, chalk, flint, clay, glacial till, sand and gravel all tell the story of Essex.

Ian and his geologist wife Ros will bring a large selection of samples to see and touch – these are time capsules of millions of years of history. Geological processes continue – rocks slip into the sea, earthquakes shake the land, rivers carry away mud, sand and pebbles to the sea.  We need to understand the past in order to cope with the present and plan for the future.

14th May 2025

Influenza:

From the Spanish lady to the winter sniffle

Speaker: Dr. David Miles

In 1918, an influenza pandemic killed more people than the First World War. The disease was called the Spanish Lady, among many other names, because nobody had more than a vague idea of what caused it. The Spanish Lady’s descendants are still with us, causing the annual ‘winter flu’ that empties workplaces, filling hospitals and stuffing noses. Now we know the influenza virus down to the most intimate molecular detail but we’re still locked into an ongoing tussle with it. Science, medicine and our own immune systems can limit the damage it does but every year, influenza is involved in thousands of deaths across Britain. The story of the influenza virus circulating today is intertwined with the story of how science came to know it. Both stories are still being written.

9th April 2025

Understanding Infant Crying, Sleeping, and Feeding:

What It Means for Their Future

Every parent experiences challenges with their baby’s crying, sleeping, and feeding.   But what’s normal, and when should you be concerned?  Dr. Ayten Bilgin from the Department of Psychology at the University of Essex will explore how babies develop these essential skills, what happens when they struggle, and what it could mean for their future.  She will discuss common regulatory problems, why some infants have more difficulties than others, and how early challenges can impact later emotional and behavioural development. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, professional, or just wonder how babies work, this talk offers practical insights for everyone!

12 March 2025

Bat to the Future:

Untangling the origins of COVID-19 & the risk of future outbreaks

Bats play a unique and often misunderstood role in the ecosystem, serving as reservoirs for a wide range of viruses. Their exceptional immune systems allow them to coexist with pathogens that can pose significant threats to human health when they spill over. Understanding how these viruses adapt to infect humans is crucial for pandemic preparedness and preventing future outbreaks.

This talk, presented by Dr. Stathis Giotis, Lecturer in Molecular Virology at the University of Essex and Honorary Senior Research Fellow at Imperial College London, will delve into the origins of COVID-19 and examine the broader risks of future outbreaks, particularly by influenza-like viruses. The discussion will explore how coronaviruses and similar zoonotic viruses circulate in bats, what enables them to jump species barriers, and the intricate interplay between viral evolution and host immune defenses. Drawing on his expertise in zoonotic spillover, innate immune responses, and viral tropism, Dr. Giotis will reveal key factors driving the emergence of new pathogens and how these insights can shape strategies to prevent and manage future pandemics.

26th February 2025

Bioadhesion:

Unlocking Nature’s Secrets for Advanced Materials & Technologies

In this talk given by Dr. Sylwia Jencz from the School of Life Sciences at University of Essex, we will explore the fascinating world of bioadhesion—nature’s ability to create strong bonds between biological systems and surfaces. The presentation will cover the fundamental principles of bioadhesion, its molecular mechanisms, and how organisms like barnacles, geckos, and certain microbes have evolved sophisticated strategies to adhere to a variety of surfaces in diverse environments.

The talk will aim to provide a comprehensive overview of bioadhesion, its principles, and its vast potential for innovation, giving a deep appreciation of how nature’s adhesive solutions might transform technology in the future.

8th January 2025

Microbes that make and break Gas

Microbes have an immense influence on the equilibrium and health of our planet. Their genetic and metabolic diversity eclipses that of all other organisms. For example, they make thousands of different gases that can serve as stress protectants and signalling molecules, or simply be waste products. Many of these volatile compounds can affect Earth’s climate when they escape from the soil or sea into the atmosphere. They are even being investigated as chemical signs of life beyond Earth. Other microbes can break down these gases, preventing them from entering the atmosphere, often using them to support their own growth. Some microbial gases are also harnessed by humans to make biofuels.

This talk given by Professor Terry McGenity from the School of Life Sciences at University of Essex will explore the diversity of microbes, and the smells, functions and global impacts of their gases. One the most abundantly produced volatile organic compounds, isoprene, will be examined in depth.

11th December 2024

Dementia Care Partnerships:

Empowering Patients and Caregivers Together

Professor Reinhold Scherer from the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering at the University of Essex will discuss his ongoing research into empowering patients and caregivers together.  The relationship between a dementia patient and their primary caregiver is crucial for effective care. Good communication, emotional support, and coordinated care are key benefits of this partnership. However, healthcare systems often lack strategies to support these vital relationships.     How can we improve this?

13th November 2024

Lies, damned lies and surveys?

The infamous phrase, “Lies, damned lies and statistics” can as well be applied to surveys as to any other source of statistics.

But is that fair?

Peter Lynn, Professor of Survey Methodology at the University of Essex, will argue that surveys get a bad press. While much has been said and written about how statistics can be used to distort and manipulate the truth, not enough is said about how statistics are a vital cornerstone of democracy, allowing a spotlight to be shone on society and informing public debate and policy making. However, the talk will also attempt to distinguish between ‘good surveys’ and ‘bad surveys’.