Variety of talks and debates to enrich the discussion at Science in the City

A number of eminent and budding scientists, technologists, and researchers will be enriching the discourse at this year’s Science in the City, with a range of talks and debates that are set to provide gripping new insights into the mysteries of science to attendees.

Tastes, aspirin, hearing, and unnamed creatures will be the main topics of Malta Café Scientifique series of short talks. University lecturer Dr Sandro Lanfranco, chef Keith Abela, audiologist Andrew Sciberras and researcher Dr Gianluca Farrugia will deliver motivating talks followed by informal discussions from 7–11pm at the upper floor of 282 Café Garden in Republic Street, Valletta. Supported by the Malta Chamber of Scientists.

The powerful confluence of science and technology in recovering information of past societies will be the centrepiece talk of Science and Heritage sessions, to be held at the National Museum of Archaeology from 6–11pm. Highlights from “Malta – the great story of a small island nation in 100 objects” will be used to explain the evolution of technology in the context of archaeology.

Another interesting event, ‘Star Trek Technology in our Present Time’ at 8.30pm, Casino Maltese, will shed light on the way the groundbreaking television series revolutionised the perception of science. Additionally, the talk will focus on science fiction writers and inventors, who have been dreaming of technologies that change the way people interact with each other and with the world around them.

Also at Casino Maltese, ‘The Exploration of Mars’ talk at 9.30pm will captivate the audience’s imagination with the red planet. The talk and discussion will use spectacular photographs, infographics and short films about Mars.

Separately, the public will have opportunities to explore issues of scientific interest and concern when hard hitting science debates from whether life outside our solar system exists to whether humans will become obsolete in the future. They will be held at Palazzo Ferreira where moderator Philip Leone Ganado will introduce sessions every hour on the hour beginning 7pm and ending 11pm.

Another debate that is surely to resonate with audiences will focus on the quality of food and its effect on our health as well as the impact of the use of animal waste on the island’s agriculture fields. This topical debate is being held by Science in the City in collaboration with The Times of Malta on Tuesday 23^rd September at the Aula Magna, University Campus at 8.00pm.

At the Italian Cultural Institute, Alessandro Furlan (Altair4MultiMedia) will talk at 7.30pm about how Rome has been brought back to life through virtual reality: “La Restituzione dell’ Antico attraverso la Realta’ Virtuale”.

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Variety of talks and debates to enrich the discussion at Science in the City/page 2

The Science in the City festival—European Researchers’ Night is supported by the EU’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action of the Horizon 2020 (H2020) Programme. The event is organised by the University of Malta, Malta Chamber of Scientists and the Research Trust of the University of Malta (RIDT), in partnership with Karl Borg Events, Studio 7, Valletta 2018 Foundation, MEUSAC, Valletta Local Council, Malta Council for Science and Technology, Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology, Arts Council Malta, PBS, Notte Bianca, St James Cavalier, Lufthansa Technik Malta, General Soft Drinks with Coca Cola, Ta’ Mena wines, Italian Cultural Institute and British Council.

The full programme and venue details can be downloaded from www.scienceinthecity.org.mt