the-BA : 2008 BA Award Lectures

For Immediate Release
23 April 2008

Do you often forget where you’ve parked the car? Do you worry about the epidemics that may be lurking just around the corner? Would you like to know how the analysis of text messages can put criminals behind bars?

You can find out the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of these intriguing topics at the BA Festival of Science taking place at the University of Liverpool and across the city this September, when our ability to navigate using internal maps generated by our brains, the prediction and mitigation of disease outbreaks, and the emergence of a new forensic science based on language analysis will be among the subjects tackled as part of the 2008 Award Lecture series.

The lectures will be presented by talented researchers who have scooped prestigious awards for science communication from the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science).

Roland Jackson, Chief Executive of the BA said: ‘The BA Award Lectures are always an extremely popular feature of the Festival programme, appealing to a broad audience.

‘They are given by outstanding communicators who bring their subjects to life with great enthusiasm and passion, explaining their current innovative work and its relevance to our everyday lives. The Awards seek to reward their ability to explore and discuss the social aspects of their research with the general public via thoroughly entertaining lectures.’

The 2008 award winners are:

The BA Joseph Lister Award Lecture
Dr Tim Grant, Aston University
‘Txt crimes, sex crimes and murder - the science of Forensic Linguistics’

The BA Lord Kelvin Award Lecture
Dr Pete Vukusic, University of Exeter
‘Evolutionary colour: understanding nature's use of light’

The BA Charles Lyell Award Lecture
Professor Neil Ferguson OBE, Imperial College London
‘”Atishoo, Atishoo, we all fall down”: predicting and controlling epidemics’

The BA Isambard Kingdom Brunel Award Lecture
Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Science Innovation Limited and University College London
‘Climate change: what space can teach us about planet Earth’

The BA Charles Darwin Award Lecture
Dr Hugo Spiers, University College London
‘The "Sat Nav" in our brains’

The BA Festival of Science will take place in Liverpool from 6-11 September bringing over 350 of the UK’s top scientists to discuss the latest developments in science with the public. In addition to talks and debates at the University of Liverpool, there will be a host of events happening throughout the city as part of the European Capital of Culture celebrations. For more information, visit www.the-ba.net/festivalofscience.

This year’s BA Festival of Science is organised in partnership with the University of Liverpool. It is supported by the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills, the Liverpool Culture Company and the Northwest Regional Development Agency.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Lisa Hendry, Press Officer, the BA
Tel: 020 7019 4946
Email: lisa.hendry@the-ba.net

Notes for editors

1. The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation that exists to advance the public understanding, accessibility and accountability of the sciences and engineering. Established in 1831, the BA organises major initiatives across the UK, including National Science and Engineering Week, the annual BA Festival of Science, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. The BA also organises specific activities for the science communication community in the UK through its Science in Society programme. For more information, please visit www.the-ba.net.

2. The University of Liverpool is a member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive institutions in the UK. It attracts collaborative and contract research commissions from a wide range of national and international organisations valued at more than £108 million annually. For more information visit www.liv.ac.uk.

3. The Liverpool Culture Company was established by Liverpool City Council in 2000 to lead the city’s bid to be European Capital of Culture 2008. In June 2003, following a two-year nationwide competition featuring 12 cities, Liverpool was chosen as the UK’s representative for 2008. The programme for 2008 includes more than 350 events and festivals – many of which are free – delivered in collaboration with major cultural institutions, artists, performers and venues throughout Liverpool and beyond. For more information visit www.liverpool08.com.

4. The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for: supporting business growth and encouraging investment; matching skills provision to employer needs; creating the conditions for economic growth; connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure; and promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life. For further information and to view previous press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk.

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