Views expressed at RSE events do not necessarily represent those of the RSE, nor of its Fellows
Monday 1 September 2008. 6.00pm
Lecture - Does God Play Dice?
Professor Miles Padgett FRSE, University of Glasgow
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
Open to all and free to attend - registration required
This lecture forms part of an RSE Ordinary Meeting and so shall be preceded by Society business, such as new Fellows signing the Roll
Wednesday 3 September 2008. 6.00pm
Lecture - A Code in the Nose
Professor Rod Goodman,
2008 Carnegie Centenary Professor,
University of Edinburgh
From the incense of ancient Mesopotamia in 3000BC, to the foul Black Death “miasmas” of the Closes of 17th century Edinburgh, people have been delighted and nauseated by smells. Only recently, however, has science revealed how our brains process odours, and this understanding has led us to develop electronic nose chips capable of learning and recognising odours. I’ll describe our journey to crack the “code in the nose”, from neurobiology to chips, and with nice and nasty things to smell.
For further information and to book a place, please contact:
Diane Reid, School of Engineering & Electronics,
The University of Edinburgh.
Tel. 0131 650 5645
Thursday 11 September 2008. Full Day
Conference - Computer Predictions for Nature and Society: Should they be Trusted?
Speakers include Professor Neil Johnson, University of Miami and Professor Christl Donnelly, Imperial College London
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.
A Conference fee will apply:
Full rate £50 Concession rate £30 SUPA Student rate Free
Lunch and refreshments will be provided
Supported by The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA)
Monday 22 September 2008. 6.00pm
Lecture - Challenges of Road Pricing
Professor Frank Kelly FRS, Master, Christ’s College, Cambridge
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
Open to all and free to attend - registration required
29-30 September 2008. The Royal College of Physicians, 9 Queen Street, Edinburgh.
Conference and Public Lecture - Drugs of the Future for the Elderly
Supported by The Edinburgh Drug Absorption Foundation and Ewan & Christine Brown's Charitable Trust
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.
A Conference Fee applies. £25 full rate, £20 concessions.
30 September 2008 at 5.30pm. The Royal College of Physicians, 9 Queen Street, Edinburgh.
Public Lecture - The Availability of Drugs for the Elderly
Supported by The Edinburgh Drug Absorption Foundation and Ewan & Christine Brown's Charitable Trust
An entrance fee of £5 is payable for this meeting.
Thursday 2 October 2008. 6.00pm
Presidential Address - Mind, Matter and Mathematics
Sir Michael Atiyah OM FRS HonFREng HonFMedSci HonFRSE PRSE, President,
The Royal Society of Edinburgh
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.
Open to all and free to attend - registration required
Professor Fred Last FRSE, Honorary Professor, Institute of Ecology and Resource Management, University of Edinburgh
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)
Open to all and free to attend - registration required
Discussion Forum - Regenerative Medicine: How will it Change my LIfe?
Speakers include Dr Anna Krassowska, Former Research Manager, UK Stem Cell Foundation, Dr Brendon Noble, MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Professor Hamish Simpson, Edinburgh Centre for Regenerative Medicine
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.
Supported by Beacons for Public Engagement
Open to all and free to attend - registration required
Speakers include Professor Alexander Stoddart, Sculptor, Professor Malcolm S Longair CBE FRS FRSE
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
Lecture - The Royalty of Man. How the World Read Burns.
Mr Neal Ascherson, author and cultural commentator.
Burns’ impact on the world can be measured by his influence on readers in the Scottish diaspora and English-speaking communities, on readers elsewhere and, finally, on members of English-speaking colonial elites, especially in British India. Neal Ascherson will examine why the effect of Burns on the literature and imagination of the world was much less than that of Scott and Ossian. It is ironic that Burns was a writer of internationalist ambition, while the other two essentially exalted a national culture. Where his influence was strongest in oter language-cultures (e.g. Russia), it was often because he was appropriated as almost a domestic poet of that culture.
Open to all and free to attend - registration required
The Royal Society of Edinburgh, in honour of Robert Burn’s 2009 celebration, will be holding a special Burns Supper.
Contributions will be made during the Supper by Mr Clark McGinn and the renowned Scottish singer/songwriter Gill Bowman one of the finest interpreters of Robert Burn’s songs performing today.
Diners will be able to listen to some of the best Scottish music and enjoy the finest of Scottish produce within the dining rooms of the prestigious New Club with the stunning views of Edinburgh Castle forming a perfect backdrop for this celebration dinner.
Friday 23 January 2009. 7.30pm. St Cecilia's Hall.
Concert - Lament for Mary Queen of Scots
The Haydn Trio Esissenstadt, Lorna Anderson, Jamie MacDougall.
Featuring Harald Kosik on piano, Verena Stourhz on violin and Hannes Gradwolh playing cello the Haydn Trio Esissenstadt is one of Austria’s leading chamber music ensembles. Since 2002 the trio have worked closely with the renowned Scottish Singers Lorna Anderson (Soprano) and Jamie MacDougall (Tenor). The Royal Society of Edinburgh and the University of Edinburgh are delighted to be able to bring to Edinburgh , for one night only, Jamie, Lorna and the Haydn trio Esienstadt and watch all five performers breathe new life into Haydn’s Scottish songs. The evening offers further surprises with an exciting link up with one of Scotland’s pre-eminent composers of this generation James MacMillan FRSE. The five perform his newest, as yet untitled, Scottish themed piece of work.
Fee. £10 prior to 1 November; £12, from 1 November. £6 concessions at all times
The Royal Society of Edinburgh is organising a major one-day conference on ‘Robert Burns and Global Culture’ in 2009. The conference will reflect on issues such as the global reputation of Burns, the translation and reception of Burns in world literatures, the influence of Burns on the image of Scotland abroad, and the continuing celebration of Burns in global culture in statues, music and Burns Supper events. As Scotland’s National Academy, the Royal Society of Edinburgh has decided to host this conference on Scotland’s national bard as one of a series of global events to commemorate Burns on the 250th anniversary of his birth.
There will be contributions from leading Burns scholars from around the world, and there will be plenty of scheduled time for discussion as well as a session on the latest research on Burns.
Sheena Wellington and Kirsteen McCue will perform at a musical lunch In the middle of the day. A number of additional activities are planned to complement the main conference including a keynote public lecture, a classic Burns Supper with a leading after-dinner speaker and a Burns inspired concert.
A Conference fee will apply. Lunch and refreshments will be provided
Tuesday 21 April - Wednesday 22 April 2009. Edinburgh Conference Centre, Heriot-Watt University
International Symposium - Scottish Aquaculture - A sustainable future
Scotland is a leader in seeking to use science based policy, regulation and voluntary industry codes to increase the sustainability of the aquaculture sector within the context of increasingly focused regulation and global environmental and economic forces.
The symposium will explore sustainability under four broad themes of the environment, fish health and welfare, the role of science within regulation and policy, together with the socio-economic impact of aquaculture. The symposium is being organised by the Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum (SARF) in conjunction with The Royal Society of Edinburgh and The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, and aims to engage delegates from a wide range of backgrounds with an interest in aquaculture, bring together the extensive portfolio of SARF sponsored research, complemented by internationally recognised keynote speakers.
Preliminary Programme
Tuesday 21 April:
Welcome
Plenary Session 1: Aquaculture- Current EU and Global Status
Session 1: Understanding our environment
Session 2: Science3 information Policy and Regulation
Evening: Conference Dinner
Wednesday 22 April:
Plenary Session 2: The Future- Challenges and Opportunities
Session 1: Fish health and welfare
Session 2: Sustainability
Thursday 23 and Friday 24 April:
(To be confirmed subject to interest. Cost c. £200)
Field Trip
West Coast labs and farms
The symposium has already received support from SARF Members with additional
sponsorship from; The Crown Estate, Biomar, EWOS, Skretting, Seafish, and Schering Plough.
Early Registration
(available to 31 Jan 2009)
Later Registration
(from 1 Feb 2009)
Conference Fee - full rate
£260
£300
Conference Fee - concession
£130
£150
Dinner - all participants
(21 April)
£42
£42
Cancellation Policy: To cancel your registration you should notify the RSE in writing at least 1 month before the conference for a full refund to be issued. For cancellations received after this date, the full registration fee remains due but a colleague can attend in your place.
Click here for information on accommodation in Edinburgh. Please note that this link will take you to an external link provided by the Edinburgh Convention Bureau. The conference organisers have no responsibility or liability for the accommodation offered. In the event of any difficulties with a particular booking delegates are asked to contact the accommodation supplier direct.
Thursday 30 April 2009
Caledonian Research Foundation Conference. Stem Cells as Therapy. Where have we been; Where are we now and where are we going (and how fast?)
The Caledonian Research Foundation provides financial support for a two-day international conference on aspects of biomedical research. Its aim is to encourage the participants to take a multi-disciplinary approach to consideration of problems in current biomedical research and the conference themes reflect this.
Caledonian Research Foundation is a Scottish Charity, incorporated in Scotland as a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registration No. 36656. Scottish Charity No. SC014705