Huge science festival to take over Liverpool's pubs with talks on Netflix's Stranger Things, dog bites, dementia and more

Pubs and bars in Liverpool are hosting interactive science events so you can get the beers in and find out more about everything from AI to the reality behind Netflix’s Stranger Things.

Pint of Science is the world’s largest festival of public science talks, which puts the spotlight on some of the incredible scientific research and breakthroughs happening in our city and how they impact on everyday life.

On from May 22-24, it will involve more than 30 University of Liverpool academics, from early career lecturers to very senior professors who have been doing research in their field for decades.

Carsten Welsch, Head of the Department of Physics, says it’s a great opportunity for people to find out more in a relaxed setting and question the experts.

“People are absolutely fascinated by the latest science but there can be barriers in just starting the conversation, often because they are afraid that they may not know enough or they may ask the wrong questions,” he says.

“Pint of Science is the perfect environment to break the ice because scientists come into a friendly and very accessible place and talk about their latest research in a way that’s entertaining but still goes into the science in quite a detailed way.

“We have been underselling all the world-class science that goes on here so it’s one of the best ways of really finding out more.

“There’s everything from the links between alcohol and crime, why you can speak German better after a couple of pints, and how we can treat diseases in the future which is something Liverpool scientists have really spearheaded.

“I’ll be discussing the upside down and telekinetic forces and the question of whether we can open the portal to another dimension, and I’ll relate all of these things to research to show there are real world connections between what’s produced for TV or film the research happening here.”

Here’s the full Pint of Science programme …

Monday 22 May

Covid, Climate Change and Relationship Advice from the Arctic

The Philharmonic Dining Rooms, Hope Street, 7.30-9.30pm (doors 7pm)

An eclectic mix of talks explaining how gold helps us to detect COVID-19, how Liverpool is tackling climate change and how Arctic seabirds’ personalities affect their relationships!

The Social Life of Science

Tempest on Tithebarn, Tithebarn Street, 7.30-9.30pm (doors 7pm)

Uncover some of the forgotten figures in science and discover the dark side of some science heroes. You’ll hear about why it’s not a ’bun in the oven’ and what social media has to do with hairdressing.

Science Bites with Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

The Shipping Forecast, Slater Street, 7.30-9.30pm (doors 7pm)

As Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine celebrates its 125th anniversary, this showcases some of the Institute’s ‘bites’ of science – including how LSTM is preparing for the next pandemic.

Defeating Disease – The Next Generation

Leaf, Bold Street, 7.30-9.30pm (doors 7pm)

Find out what the future of fighting disease looks like. If our immune systems and antibiotics don’t work, what is the next line of defence? Can modified viruses called ‘phages’ save the day?

Engineering a Safer World

Frederik’s, Hope Street
Join university engineers to discover whether we’ll all one day be driving flying cars, how nature can be used to tackle climate change and how we help make sure nuclear technology is safe.

Tuesday 23 May

Engineering a New Energy

The Philharmonic Dining Rooms, Hope Street, 7.30-9.30pm (doors 7pm)

Hear how engineers at the Uni of Liverpool are using energy to create new ways to solve today’s problems and shape our future, from keeping us safe to new ways to power our homes.

Raise a Pint to Heart and Liver Health

Leaf, Bold Street, 7.30-9.30pm (doors 7pm)

Glimpse into the future of liver transplants, hear about the silent epidemic of irregular heartbeats and how it is being tackled, and the latest advances in immunology.

Pick ‘n’ Mix

Tempest on Tithebarn, Tithebarn Street, 7.30-9.30pm (doors 7pm)

Discover the kamikaze cells inside all our bodies and find out how we can treat bugs in the brain. Also, Shots of Science speakers will compete in a series of rapidfire talks.

Science and Society

The Shipping Forecast, Slater Street, 7.30-9.30pm (doors 7pm)

Explore the politics of mental health, whether antiscience movements are really antiscience and if art, films and TV can make a difference to climate change policy.

Wednesday 24 May

Brains on Booze, Stats News and Dementia Care Views

Tempest on Tithebarn, Tithebarn Street, 7.30-9.30pm (doors 7pm)

Why do you speak German better after two pints? What’s the truth behind the health statistics you hear on the news? And how do we level the playing field for dementia care?

Spending a Penny

The Shipping Forecast, Slater Street, 7.30-9.30pm (doors 7pm)

What are the implications of literally and metaphorically spending a penny? Find out how NHS funding is splashed or slashed, and how to best team up with AI.

Understanding Us

Leaf, Bold Street, 7.30-9.30pm (doors 7pm)

Is Merseyside the UK’s dog bite capital? Should people who commit a crime under the influence of alcohol get similar, greater or lesser punishment? Understand more about why we act the way we do.

Out of this World

The Philharmonic Dining Rooms, Hope Street, 7.30-9.30pm (doors 7pm)

What role can robots play in art? What is the future for facilities on the moon? And

how is the science shown in Stranger Things reflected in real life?