Another round for the Pint of Science festival

A popular science festival which invites members of the public into the world of cutting-edge research is returning to Darlington for the second year.

The Pint of Science festival offers the opportunity for people to access academia in an informal and relaxed atmosphere by bringing researchers to their local pubs and cafes to share their scientific discoveries.

Led by academics and partners from Teesside University’s National Horizons Centre, the Pint of Science festival in Darlington will take place at The Forum Music Centre between Monday 19 and Wednesday 21 May.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the important research taking place in the town within state-of-the-art laboratories at the National Horizons Centre, a national centre of excellence for bioscience and healthcare based at Teesside University’s Darlington campus in Central Park.

Speakers and topics confirmed for the three-day festival include:

• Dr Craig McBeth on how close we are to cyborgs becoming a reality and not just something we see in sci-fi movies.

• Dr Sreejith Raveendran offering insights into how your DNA could be the cure for cancer.

• Dr Fiona Smith on how microneedles could offer the painless delivery of medicines.

• Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali and Dr Ahmad Khundakar returning to the stage to discuss new research on how functional cognitive disorder and delirium can often be misdiagnosed as dementia.

• Dr Caroline Orr exploring the unseen biodiversity right beneath your feet, the essential role it plays in maintaining our ecosystem, and the secrets it has waiting to be unlocked.

• Dr Gillian Taylor digging into the past, showing how science has helped explore Roman leather artefacts.

• Dr Zoë Bell discussing how microscopic living things could be the answer to the plastic pollution problem.

Darlington is one of more than 45 UK towns and cities taking part in the worldwide science festival.

Professor Vikki Rand, Director of Teesside University’s National Horizons Centre, said: “We are delighted to be able to bring Pint of Science to Darlington.

“The National Horizons Centre is operating at the forefront of some of the key advances in the world of bioscience and healthcare research.

“The relaxed and friendly atmosphere of the festival offers the perfect opportunity for people in Darlington and beyond to learn about some of the cutting-edge research that is taking place on their doorstep.

“We are really looking forward to sharing our findings and inspiring and encouraging more people to explore the exciting world of bioscience.”

Andrew Perkin, Business Growth and Investment Manager at Darlington Borough Council, said: “We are delighted that Teesside University is hosting this exciting and engaging series of talks in Darlington.

“Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) industries are growing and form a significant and important part of our local economy.

“Events like this draw attention to the exciting research happening right here on our doorstep and help to position Darlington as an innovative, pioneering science hub.”

To book tickets and for more information, including a full programme of events, visit the website.

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