Past events
Our public events programme started in November 2009. Since then we have had influential, forthright and engaging speakers covering a wide variety of topics.
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2013
Slippery Secrets: The hidden science within the life-blood of your car
Thursday 2 May 2013, 6.30pm. Dr Ian Bell explored the advances in lubricant technology to allow superb vehicle performance and discussed the CO2 reduction challenge.
Where the Streets have No Name
Thursday 18 April, 6.30pm. Paolo Bellutta, a driver of the MSL rover Curiosity, explained what has been done on Mars and where they are going next.
Joseph Priestley, Champion of Enlightenment in Science and Education
Thursday 4 April 2013, 6.30pm. Prof Hasok Chang explained how 280 years after the birth of Joseph Priestley we can still draw a lesson of modernity from his ideas.
Stop Horsing Around with Our Food: A Panel Debate on Food Safety in the UK
Thursday 14 March 2013, 6.30pm. The RSC held a panel discussion to identify the issues which would lead to better food security for the UK.
The Arsonist, the Martian, the Cat and the Coke... oh and Dwain
Thursday 7 March 2013, 6.30pm. Dr Tony Bristow looked at exciting applications of mass spectrometry and how it is used in ways that directly affect our lives.
Confronting the Silent Tragedy of Skin Disease
Thursday 7 February 2013, 6.30pm. Professor Matts discussed the problems of skin disease in developing countries and how chemistry has helped via prevention and treatment.
Making Sense of Scents
Thursday 10 January, 6.30pm. A panel of experts discussed the powerful effects that fragrances have on enhancing lives, rehabilitation and triggering reactions and memories.
2012
Test Tubes and Trains
Watch on demand. The authors explained the historical reluctance of the railway industry to recognise chemistry's vital contribution. Included book launch.
Performance Science in Olympic and Paralympic Sport
Scott Drawer, UK Sport, explored British excellence in academia and industry to support performance: we learnt how these concepts cross into industry.
The Date in your Diet
Richard Marshall and Abdollah Ghavami gave a talk about dates in history, health and the UK Diet. A date related lunch was provided.
Film Night - Lorenzo's Oil
This Hollywood film was shown about two parent's quest for a cure for their son's rare inherited disease. The evening included a talk from Dr Keith Layden and a discussion led by L...
Our Light Materials
Watch on Demand. Prof Howard Colquhoun showed how the toughest of metals are being replaced by synthetic materials that can be used in the construction of aircraft.
From Waste to Wealth Using Green Chemistry
Watch on Demand. This lecture by Professor James Clark was on how waste could be a truly sustainable resource and not a problem.
Chemistry: A Key to Human Progress
Watch On Demand: Professor, Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, President of the American Chemical Society, gave a lecture on how chemistry today brings a wide range of goods and functions to e...
Bringing Science to the Olympics
Watch on Demand. Dr David Hassall gave an insight into how GSK can use its science expertise and make a material contribution to London 2012.
The Case of the Poisonous Socks
Watch on Demand. Professor William Brock used stories from the history of 19th and 20th century chemistry to illustrate its influence in contemporary culture.
Alzheimer's disease: treatments and tests on the horizon
Watch on Demand. Prof Simon Lovestone showed how research holds great promise in finding new treatments and in helping identify the condition at an earlier age.
From test tube to Turner - the role of the chemist in art
Watch on demand. Professor Andy Abbott looked at the changes in the artist's pallet from natural pigments through the work of the alchemist and the chemist
Soybeans - the world's healthiest food?
Professor Ian Rowlands discussed whether the consumption of soy is a recipe for long and healthy life.
The Coldest March: Scott's Fatal Antarctic Expedition
Distinguished Polar Scientist, Prof Susan Solomon, presented evidence that unusually cold weather doomed Captain Scott and his men in 1911-12.
Genetic fingerprinting: past, present and future
Watch on demand. Alec Jeffreys presented the origins of DNA fingerprinting through to the latest developments and their social impact
Food for thought
For this special Valentine's Day lunchbox, Professor Jeremy Spencer from the University of Reading talked about flavonoid-rich foods.
Global Transport 2050: scenarios and implications
Watch on demand. Dr Ayed Al-Qahtani, World Energy Council, discusses the results of a year long study into how we could limit carbon dioxide emissions.
A medicine cabinet in your garden?
Watch on demand. Professor Monique Simmonds talks about the use of plants and fungi as sources of sustainably harvested medicines.
Next few days to next few decades
Watch on demand. BBC Weather presenter and Met Office forecaster Peter Gibbs takes a behind the scenes look at weather prediction.
Global Energy Perspectives
Special Live lecture - May 17th 2012, 5:25-6:30pm, Professor Nathan S Lewis, California Institute of Technology, US
2011
The quest for a clean drink
Watch on demand. Phil Souter discusses the challenges faced in making potential water sources drinkable using chemical technology.
Watts New with Clean Energy? Batteries Included
A free lecture for 16 - 18 year olds delivered by Professor Saiful Islam
Science for a safer world
Watch on demand. Dr Derek Craston, the Government Chemist, reveals a link to Captain Scott's 1901 discovery expedition to the Antarctic.
The three lives of Marie Curie
Watch on demand. Dr Serge Plattard examines how through the development of radiotherapy methods and instruments Marie Curie led the way in the fight against cancer.
Harnessing the light fantastic
Watch on demand. Professor Nick Terrill explains how using light is pushing forward research in futuristic materials.
Eating sustainably: dream or reality?
Scientist Carol Wagstaff explores whether it's really possible to eat sustainably, or if it's simply an idealistic dream of a fairy-tale future.
What's in my stuff?
Watch on demand. Dr Hywel Jones presents a science and art based approach to raising awareness of the use of the elements in consumer technology.
Recharging the Planet
Watch on demand. Clare Grey discusses the latest developments in energy storage and future transport.
Can we live without E-numbers?
At our latest Cafe RSC discussion Dr David Baines, scientist and food consultant, talked about e-numbers.
What flavour is my lunchbox?
Dr Jane Parker, food scientist, explained why there is much more to flavour than what taste-buds tell us.
Robert Boyle's A Sceptical Chymist
Watch on demand. We celebrated the 350th anniversary of A Sceptical Chymist by Robert Boyle with Duncan Thorburn-Burns.
The Nuclear Debate
Watch on demand. A debate on whether we can meet emissions reductions without the use of nuclear power.
Functional foods: sound science or marketing hype?
Do "functional foods" work or is it all marketing hype? Bob Rastall analysed a shopping basket in our Café RSC discussion
Water sustainability - a global challenge
Watch on demand. Richard Allan, Chief Scientist at Scottish Water, discusses the challenges we face in securing global freshwater supplies.
Science on the silver screen
Michael Hanlon explored the science of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and afterwards watched the film itself.
From the Romans to the ring main
Watch on demand. Navigate the twists and turns of the London's historic water supply with Rob Casey.
A little light relief
Watch on demand. David Phillips, President of the RSC, demonstrates the healing powers of light.
Let's do lunch: your 21st century lunchbox
Tom Coultate, food scientist, discussed the dangerous food colourings of the past and the "natural" versions of the present.
Turn on and tune in
Watch on demand. Take a trip through the weird world of drug use and abuse with John Mann.
Sex and the City - The emerging role of human skin
Watch on demand. Is the role of skin merely to provide an aesthetically pleasing covering for the body?
2010
Don't panic!
Friday 10 December 2010, 6.30pm. Is there science in sci-fi? Journalist and author Michael Hanlon explores the science of the Hitchhiker's Guide. CANCELLED (to be rescheduled)
The Music Instinct
Monday 6 December 2010, 6.30pm. Why do we like music? What makes a tune catchy? Have an café-style discussion with award-winning popular science writer Philip Ball.
Nuts about Christmas
Webcast on Thursday 2 December 2010, 6.30pm. Professor Clare Mills uses some festive examples to shed light on the world of food allergies.
Materials Chemistry at the Origin of Life
Webcast on Monday 8 November 2010, 6.00pm. Tony Ryan sheds light on how life began on Earth.
2050: Sustainable Britain?
Thursday 4 November 2010, 6.30pm. John Emsley explains how together we could create a healthy, wealthy, and sustainable Britain.
Elements of Scientific Success
Webcast on Thursday 7 October 2010, 6.30pm. CEO Richard Pike discusses the RSC's origins and its role in society today for Story of London.
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Crime scene to court
Webcast on Thursday 2 September 2010, 6.30pm. Peter White reveals the role that forensics plays in a criminal investigation.
Make mine a pint!
Webcast on Thursday 5 August 2010, 6.30pm. Paul Hughes considered 10,000 years of beer evolution.
Chemistry in a Salad Bowl
Webcast on Thursday 15 July 2010, 6.30pm. Eric Block discussed the alliums, bad breath and garlic oil.
The Detective's Eye
Friday 11 June, 2.00pm. Accompany chemist and fine art collector Alfred Bader on the journey from the thrill of discovering a great forgotten work to the joy of restoring it.
Our Planet's Peculiar Atmosphere
Thursday 13 May 2010, 6.30pm. Join Richard Wayne to discover which came first: life or the Earth's atmosphere?
Making the Food of the Gods
Wednesday 31 March 2010, 6.30pm. Writer and scientist Stephen T Beckett spoke on the science of chocolate.
Turn On and Tune In
Thursday 4 March 2010, 6.30pm Join writer and scientist John Mann for a trip into the weird world of drug use and abuse. --CANCELLED-- (to be rescheduled)
Living Life on the Edge
Thursday 4 February 2010, 6.30pm An insight into how chemistry is helping to understand and prevent the escalating toll of many neurodegenerative diseases.
Perfumery's Hot Date - Synthetic meets Natural
Thursday 21 January 2010, 6.30pm Will Andrews showed us how perfume is created using a special relationship between mother nature and mankind's creativity.
2009
Chemistry, Energy and Climate Change
Tuesday 8 December 2009, 6.30pm As the UN Climate Change conference began in Copenhagen, how can science can provide for our energy needs yet help the environment?
Genetic modification: solution or problem?
Wednesday 2 December 2009, 6.30pm Are global food targets sustainable without help from GM technology?
Curry: the dish that conquered Britain
Tuesday 10 November 2009, 6.30pm Shrabani Basu discusses the phenomenon of British curry.
Wednesday 4 November 2009, 6.30pm Dr John Emsley spoke about one of the greatest challenges facing humankind.
