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Science in Society Public Lecture Series

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 2025

All lectures will be held in Boole 2, Boole Basement, Main Campus, UCC

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6.00pm - 7.00pm

Note: schedule may be subject to change.  For queries, contact Prof Alan Kelly: a.kelly@ucc.ie

 

Date 

Topic 

Lecturer 

Tuesday 14 January 

How science works  

Prof Alan Kelly 

Thursday 16 January 

Can the food we eat really make us smarter? 

Dr Elaine McCarthy 

Tuesday 21 January 

Saliva, Swabs, Apps, and Wastewater— tracking SARS-CoV-2 in Irish Universities  

Dr. John MacSharry  

Thursday 23 January 

What has science discovered about the natural physical world (part 1)? 

Prof Paul Callanan 

Tuesday 28 January 

What has science discovered about the natural physical world (part 2)? 

Prof Paul Callanan 

Thursday 30 January 

Circular economy, energy and the environment 

Prof Jerry Murphy 

Tuesday 4 February 

When science goes wrong; Eugenics and the Nazis, weapons of mass destruction and environmental pollution 

Dr Michael Whelan 

Thursday 6 February 

Career adventures with some of the world’s most dangerous animals and pathogens: An African-centred personal perspective 

Prof Ger Killeen 

Tuesday 11 February 

Darwinian evolution I

Dr Tom Reed  

Thursday 13 February 

Darwinian evolution II 

Dr Tom Reed 

Tuesday 18 February 

From Toxic Legacy to Safe & Sustainable: Rethinking Chemicals in Everyday Life 

Dr. Gillian Collins 

Thursday 20 February 

Rediscovering dinosaurs 

Prof Maria McNamara 

Tuesday 25 February 

Science and the environment 

Dr Michelle McKeown 

Thursday 27 February 

The ethics of artificial intelligence 

Prof Barry O’Sullivan 

Tuesday 4 March 

Plant based foods: sustainable and nutritious? 

Dr Aylin Sahin 

Thursday 6 March 

Advances in Genetic Engineering  

Prof Tommie McCarthy 

Tuesday 11 March 

Mathematics and society 

Dr Tom Carroll 

Thursday 13 March 

The Human Microbiome – Part 1 

Dr Pauline Scanlan 

Tuesday 18 March 

The Human Microbiome – Part 2 

Dr Pauline Scanlan 

Thursday 20 March 

Understanding Irish manuscripts through science 

Prof Pádraig O’Macháin 

Tuesday 25 March 

Some milestones in Ireland’s scientific heritage 

Dr Declan Kennedy 

Thursday 27 March 

The ethics of science communication 

Prof Alan Kelly 

Tuesday 1 April 

Evolution of parent-offspring conflict 

Dr Tom Moore 

Thursday 3 April 

Food processing: a problem or a solution? 

Prof Alan Kelly 

Register

Lectures are free to attend and all are welcome. 

REGISTER

College of Science, Engineering and Food Science

Coláiste na hEolaíochta, na hInnealtóireachta agus na hEolaíochta Bia

Block E, Level 3, Food Science Building, UCC, Cork, T12 YN60.

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