Quantum mechanics is one of the most successful theories ever produced, making accurate predictions both in fundamental science and in the underpinning of today’s technologies. However, although highly accurate as a predictive tool, some aspects of quantum mechanics are not without their opponents. The fact that light has both particle-like and wave-like properties seems odd, but all agree these are simply convenient models that we use to describe the way that light behaves. The concerns over quantum mechanics lie much deeper, but they can be understood by considering a few simple experiments.
Photograph courtesy of Professor Miles Padgett

Computer simulations have long been used by scientists and engineers to help design better materials and machines. Increasingly computers are being used to predict the future for natural and social processes, such as epidemics, climate change, economic forecasting and earthquakes. Why should these predictions be trusted, given the complexity of these systems and the many unknown variables involved? Should government policy be based on them? We have gathered together four leading computer modellers to present their views, and defend them in panel discussions. Since the consequences of their findings may affect us all, we will invite the audience to enter the debate by putting questions to two expert panels.

Forecasts using the UK National Transport Model suggest that a well-targeted national road pricing scheme could achieve £10 billion worth of time savings a year in Great Britain alone. Road pricing has had strong theoretical support over many decades. So what’s the problem with implementing road pricing? This talk will outline some of the challenges, and, in particular, some of the technology, economic and network modelling issues.

Photographs courtesy of FasTrak Photo Library

Although the health of those over 65 in this country has never been better, and the number of people reaching 85 is increasing year on year by more than 5 percent, ill health in the over 65s accounts for almost half the national spend on hospitals and community health. The objective of this conference is to bring together healthcare professionals, decision-makers and informed members of the public to discuss the rationale behind the development of new drugs and devices, the methods used to assess their effectiveness and safety and their availability through the health service. Click here for further information and registration form.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the Government agency which licenses medicines and medical devices for UK use, ensuring that these work and are acceptably safe. It is not concerned with cost or value-for-money. The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) advises NHS Scotland on the cost-effectiveness of newly-licensed medicines and may identify patients for whom the benefi t to cost balance is most favourable. The 14 NHS Boards in Scotland then decide, through their therapeutics advisory committees, which medicines will be locally available. The situation in England is broadly similar, with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), advising local health authorities. NICE is also charged with promoting good-health and preventing ill-health, and in that context, publishes Clinical Guidelines, which set medicines within an overall disease management framework. In Scotland, guidelines are produced by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), and both sets may be used by clinicians in Scotland. Thus, once licensed by MHRA, the decision as to whether a drug should be made available becomes multi-faceted, and a balance must be struck between finite NHS budgets, clinical effectiveness, broader societal benefits and costs and ethical considerations. This meeting will examine this decision-making process and consider how it might be improved. Click here for further information and registration form.

The relation between the human mind and the external world has been studied by philosophers for centuries, notably by David Hume and Immanuel Kant. Galileo said that the book of nature was written in the language of mathematics, while Plato saw mathematics as a world of pure ideas. This lecture will discuss the inter-relations of these topics in the light of modern scientific developments, including Darwinian evolution.

Weekly records from 1978 to 2006 of c. 1000 perennials show that fluctuations in the first flowering dates of autumn flowering species mirror those of spring flowering species but are much smaller; a matter of days rather than months. They reflect the net effects of two opposing influences (a) advances, attributable to ‘warm’ springs in the current year and (b) delays, associated with ‘warm’ autumns in the preceding year. Despite these fluctuations a linear trend to earlier spring flowering is apparent; 32 days in January/February and 20 days in March/April. This trend is associated with an annual January/March temperature increase of 2.5 °C between 1978 and 2006.
Photographs courtesy of Lynsey Muir, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE)

We aim to have a public dialogue about the advances in stem cell biology which are leading to the development of treatments for osteoarthritis and trauma leading to bone shattering. This will provide an opportunity for the public to ask questions about the research, potential treatments and possible risks associated with new treatments, which are using stem cells derived from adult tissues. Government representatives will be present to discuss how these developments will be integrated into policy in Scotland.

Our modern technological society, from the computer to telecommunications, rests firmly on the foundations established by James Clerk Maxwell. It was Maxwell’s emphasis on the basic role of fields of force that led Einstein to his general theory of relativity and the modern understanding of gravity.

For a scientist of James Clerk Maxwell’s stature, there are few memorials to him. In 2006, the 175th anniversary of his birth raised his profile in his home city and the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), of which Maxwell had been a Fellow, initiated plans for a statue of him. A prime site was identified on George Street, in the heart of the “New Town”, and close to the present building of the RSE. Showing Maxwell seated, and dressed in costume of his time, the statue will be cast in bronze. Planning permission has now been obtained and the project has widespread support. The statue will be unveiled by the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament on 25 November 2008 accompanied by a major international conference on Maxwell

Our target is £300,000. Any surplus funds, left over after covering all costs associated with the statue, will go into a Clerk Maxwell Fund of the RSE, which will be used to support RSE objectives in science and the humanities. Click here for information on the Clerk Maxwell Statue