A list of all SciBar events in reverse chronological order

  • 2nd June 2026 – Moor Pool Improvements

    You may have seen the fish being removed from The Moor Pool or the works being undertaken at Parkgate Lane and wondered what it is all about. Come along to hear a team from United Utilities explain how they will… continue reading

  • 5th May 2026 – The ABC of Galaxy Evolution

    Dr Steve Barrett, a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Physics at the University of Liverpool, makes a welcome return, this time to describe the evolution of galaxies. Although Steve’s research interests are centred around the applications of imaging… continue reading

  • April 2026 – no SciBar

    The first Tuesday in April is Easter Tuesday and many people are away so there will be no SciBar this month. Our next session will be on May 5th. continue reading

  • 3rd March 2026 – The Future of AI … Genesis or Nemesis?

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been the Holy Grail of computer science ever since the 1960s with the promise of intelligent human-like machines. Press stories warn that intelligent computers are about to take over the world and Steven Hawking warned of… continue reading

  • 3rd February 2026 – The Geography and Economics of American Railroads

    The rail network in the USA is the longest in the world, although only half the length it once was.  The factors influencing the system’s development stretch from the Ice Age to the Wild West. Chicago became its most important… continue reading

  • 12th January 2026 – MOF Materials

    Porous Metal-Organic Framework Materials: Applications and Future Technologies Metal-organic framework (MOF) materials are a new class of porous advanced materials constructed by the assembly of metal nodes and bridging organic molecules. They are a form of “Molecular Lego”, or (for… continue reading

  • 8th December 2025 – Fading Fertility

    There is a global decline in total fertility rates – that is, the predicted number of children a woman has in her lifetime. Should we be worried? In this talk Dr Michael Carroll, Reader / Associate Professor in Reproductive Science… continue reading

  • 10th November 2025 – Psychedelic-assisted therapy

    Psychedelics and mental health: hype, hope, and healing? There is growing interest in the use of psychedelics and their potential to help with problems that affect mental health. From depression and anxiety to trauma and addiction, psychedelic-assisted therapy is being… continue reading

  • 13th October 2025 – The Secret Lives of Pollinators: Myths, Facts, and Flowers

    Dr. Jordan Ryder is a senior lecturer in Zoology and a Public Engagement & Involvement Champion for Natural Sciences at the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Chester. In May, he spoke at the Knutsford Bee Trail launch event on… continue reading

  • 8th September 2025 – Impulsivity

    Why Do We Act on Impulse? Understanding the Urge to React Without Thinking Why do we sometimes speak without thinking, overspend, or react quickly in ways we later regret? In this talk, Dr. Afshi Yahya Khan will explore impulsivity, why… continue reading

  • 21st July 2025 – Mapping the Universe to reveal its dark secrets

    Later than usual, at this month’s SciBar, our speaker will be Dr Steve Cunnington from the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, Universities of Portsmouth and Manchester. Steve says “We sort of understand how our Universe works and evolves. However, this… continue reading

  • 9th June 2025 – Graphene update. Where are we with real applications?

    This talk will be given by Prof. Aravind Vijayaraghavan, Professor of Nanomaterials, Department of Materials, Head of Internationalisation, Faculty of Science & Engineering, Nano-functional Materials Group Leader, National Graphene Institute, University of Manchester. More Details to follow. Update: Prof. Aravind… continue reading