Members of the public will have the opportunity to find out over lunch how the human mind, with all its limitations, has advanced scientific research at a series of free public lectures starting next week.   The talks by Dr Jitu Shah, Special Lecturer in the Department of Physics, are aimed especially at a non-scientific audience.  Dr Shah will use examples of innovations to help demystify the process of making good science.

At his first talk [January 20], Can we assign a structure to science?,
Dr Shah will explain what are data, theory shaping principles and their role in scientific research. 

Limitation of scientists on February 3, will discuss the influences of religion and beliefs on the practice of science and the limitations they can sometimes impose on scientific research.

Scientists are human and therefore don’t always get it right and not all scientific discoveries are made in laboratories.  On February 17, Tales of scientists. What went wrong?,will look at scientific blunders and the role of non-scientists in publicly funded research.

Finally, on March 3, Tales of scientists. What went right?, will celebrate scientific achievements through the ages, including some ‘eureka’ moments and discuss how good science is done.

Dr Shah said: “This is a unique opportunity for non-scientists to hear how scientific progress is made by a human mind, with its usual strengths and weaknesses.”

The interactive talks, organised by the University’s Public Programmes Office, take place in Waddelow Hall, Broadmead Baptist Church, Union Street, Bristol (entrance behind Tesco Metro) from 1 to 2 pm.

No pre-booking is necessary and members of the audience are welcome to bring their sandwiches.