Society and science

Explore the RSE school talks on astronomy and astrophysics.

Dr Joyce Klu

It is essential that any measurement is as accurate as possible, particularly when the outcome is presented as evidence in a trial and may determine if a suspect is convicted or acquitted. This talk will demonstrate why there is no such thing as a perfect measurement. Dr Klu will present the difference between errors and mistakes and why statistically, an error is not considered a mistake. We will also discuss the potential career options within statistics and how it can be applied to many areas, including forensic science.

Dr Oluwasesan Adegoke

Since the introduction of nanotechnology by Nobel Laureate Richard P. Feynman in his now famous 1959 lecture titled “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom,” various revolutionary strides in chemistry, biology and physics have demonstrated Feyman’s concept of manipulating matter (i.e., the level of molecules and atoms) at the nanoscale. Nanotechnology can be defined as the understanding, restructuring and control of matter at the nanoscale (i.e., less than 100 nm) to create device materials with fundamentally new functions and properties. The application of nanotechnology in forensic science is an emerging research area. This talk gives an overview on how nanotechnology is influencing the world of forensic science from the use of nanotechnology in fingerprint identification, illicit drug detection, explosive residue detection and DNA analysis.

Professor Michela Massimi FRSE

Can you name at least three famous women scientists? And if not, why is that? Are there not women in science? In this interactive talk, we explore some of the reasons why women’s contributions to science tend to be forgotten, and why they should not. Along the way, we will discover the important work of some women scientists, who ushered in silent revolutions in their respective fields.