the-BA : BA Press Release - 24 August 2005

Leviathan cabaret, part of this year's Science in the City programme

For immediate release
24 August 2005

Debates, exhibitions, readings, an open-air film screening, walks and talks are included in a special programme of Science in the City events at the BA Festival of Science that will prove to everyone that science can be exciting, relevant and entertaining.

As part of this year’s BA Festival of Science, which takes place in Dublin from 3-10 September, in addition to events at Trinity College Dublin, there will be events throughout the city as part of the Science in the City programme. The Festival is organised by the BA, a UK-based organisation; however, as Joanne Coleman, Festival Manager at the BA, is keen to stress, the programme of events was developed with the help and input of groups from Ireland.

‘Our ethos at the BA is all about involving the public in science, so it was essential that we were tackling the issues that people saw as relevant to them,’ says Miss Coleman. ‘From the outset, we consulted with people in Dublin who told us what issues they wanted to see tackled at the Festival.’

The Science in the City programme has been co-ordinated from Dublin City University, by Brian Trench, senior lecturer and Head of School of Communications at the university, and Philip O’Reilly.

‘The idea behind the Science in the City programme is to attract a diversity of people with presentations of science issues in a wide variety of forms and settings,’ says Mr Trench. ‘We will be exploring issues that affect Dubliners – the smoking ban, Ireland’s drinking culture and climate change – as well as incorporating some more light-hearted elements, like hypnosis, science cabaret and a family science day.’

Events in the Science in the City programme include debates on the agenda for science in Ireland and on the effects of Ireland’s smoking ban, an exploration of the science in Flann O’Brien’s comic novel “The Third Policeman” and a chance to manipulate DNA at kiosks in St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre. Even the Leviathan political cabaret is getting in on the act with a debate on Sellafield.

‘We hope that people will find the events informative, entertaining and above all engaging,’ says Mr Trench.

For further information on the BA Festival of Science and the Science in the City programme, visit the Festival home page or visit the Temple Bar Information Centre.

The main sponsors of the BA Festival of Science are Trinity College Dublin, Discover Science and Engineering and the Department of Education and Science.

ENDS
For further information please contact:

Craig Brierley, Press Officer, the BA
Tel: +44 (0)20 7019 4947
Email: craig.brierley@the-ba.net

Note for editors

1. The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation dedicated to connecting science with people, so that science and its applications become accessible to all. The BA aims to promote openness about science in society and to engage and inspire people directly with science and technology and their implications. Established in 1831, the BA organises major initiatives across the UK, including the annual BA Festival of Science, National Science Week, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. For more information about the BA, please visit www.the-ba.net.

2. Images of the young people’s activities at the BA Festival of Science can be obtained from the BA Press Office.

3. Discover Science & Engineering (DSE) is the national integrated awareness programme, managed by Forfás on behalf of the Office of Science and Technology. The programme brings together the many pre-existing science, engineering, technology and innovation awareness activities previously managed by different bodies, both public and private. DSE’s mission is to contribute to Ireland’s continued growth and development as a society that has an active and informed interest and involvement in science, engineering and technology. DSE’s overall objectives are to increase the numbers of students studying the physical sciences, to promote a positive attitude to careers in science, engineering and technology and to foster a greater understanding of science and its value to Irish society.

4. Founded in 1592 Trinity College is the oldest university in Ireland and one of the older universities of Western Europe. Based on the general pattern of the ancient colleges at Oxford and Cambridge, Trinity has a main campus extending over 40 acres. Currently the College has a student population of over 15,000, over 65,000 alumni, and 2,500 members of staff. The student population represents every county in Ireland and over 80 countries of the world: not only is it diverse in nationality, it also represents a wide range of social classes and age-groups.

Trinity has been a central force in the social and cultural and economic development of Irish society, partly because it was for many years the only institution of advanced learning and education, but also because of the participation of its staff in the arts, public debate, external committees and consultancy, among other things. The College is committed to excellence in both research and teaching across a wide range of disciplines to the enhancement of the learning experience of each of its students and to an inclusive College community with equality of access for all.

	Home

	Press Office

	Press Releases

	2007 Press Releases

	2006 Press Releases

	2005 Press Releases

	2004 Press Releases