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Introduction
This fascinating weekly lecture series is delivered by world-leading UCC STEM academics and is open to the public.
The lectures will outline the nature of science, the type of knowledge discovered by science and the types of question that science cannot answer. They will look at the role of science in modern society, in the modern developed economy, and the broad ethical issues raised by scientific and technological advances. The interface between science and religion, and science and the environment will also be examined, along with some of the ways in which science can be misused.
Lecture Details 2026
All lectures will be held in Boole 2, Boole Basement, UCC - Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6.00-7.00 p.m.
| Date | Topic | Lecturer |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 13 January |
How science works |
Prof Alan Kelly |
| Thursday 15 January |
Advances in Genetic Engineering |
Prof Tommie McCarthy |
| Tuesday 20 January |
Can the food we eat really make us smarter? |
Dr Elaine McCarthy |
| Thursday 22 January |
What has science discovered about the natural physical world (part 1)? |
Prof Paul Callanan |
| Tuesday 27 January |
What has science discovered about the natural physical world (part 2)? |
Prof Paul Callanan |
| Thursday 29 January |
The Selfish Gene at 50 |
Dr Tom Moore |
| Tuesday 3 February |
When science goes wrong; Eugenics and the Nazis, weapons of mass destruction and environmental pollution |
Dr Michael Whelan |
| Thursday 5 February |
Saliva, Swabs, Apps, and Wastewater— tracking SARS-CoV-2 in Irish Universities |
Dr. John MacSharry |
| Tuesday 10 February |
The Human Microbiome – Part 1 |
Dr Pauline Scanlan |
| Thursday 12 February |
The Human Microbiome – Part 2 |
Dr Pauline Scanlan |
| Tuesday 17 February |
From Toxic Legacy to Safe & Sustainable: Rethinking Chemicals in Everyday Life |
Dr. Gillian Collins |
| Thursday 19 February |
Plant based foods: sustainable and nutritious? |
Dr Aylin Sahin |
| Tuesday 24 February |
Science and the environment |
Dr Michelle McKeown |
| Thursday 26 February |
The ethics of artificial intelligence |
Prof Barry O’Sullivan |
| Tuesday 3 March |
Rediscovering dinosaurs |
Prof Maria McNamara |
| Thursday 5 March |
The ethics of science communication |
Prof Alan Kelly |
| Tuesday 10 March |
Mathematics and society |
Dr Tom Carroll |
| Thursday 12 March |
George Boole: Mathematician, Scientist and Educator |
Dr Declan Kennedy |
| Thursday 19 March |
Darwinian Evolution – Past, Present and Future |
Dr Tom Reed |
| Tuesday 24 March |
Career adventures with some of the world’s most dangerous animals and pathogens: Global solutions informed by ecological insights and lived experiences |
Prof Ger Killeen |
| Thursday 26 March |
Some milestones in Ireland’s scientific heritage |
Dr Declan Kennedy |
| Tuesday 31 March |
Circular economy, energy and the environment |
Prof Jerry Murphy |
| Thursday 2 April |
Understanding Irish manuscripts through science |
Prof Pádraig O’Macháin |
| Tuesday 7 April |
Food processing: a problem or a solution? |
Prof. Alan Kelly |
Register
College of Science, Engineering and Food Science
Coláiste na hEolaíochta, na hInnealtóireachta agus na hEolaíochta Bia
Contact us
Block E, Level 3, Food Science Building, UCC, Cork, T12 YN60.