Materials have Memories!

Understanding our Past through the Conservation and Interpretation of Material Memories

Prof. Trevor Brown, Department of Biology, Forensic and Sport

The flow of time is relentless; our lives pass by as remorselessly as a ticking clock. As we age our memories dim and important occasions in our lives can no longer be recalled and fade from view. In more recent times events have been recorded in written documents; how factually correct are these and how can we glimpse pre-historic cultures?

Objects, artefacts and buildings have memories; they are more truthful than written documents, but how can we ‘read’ them without corrupting the information that they contain? Materials will some times share their bibliographic secrets with us, but we have to be ethically disciplined in our approach so that future generations will be able repeat the process with more sophisticated technology.

1st September 2009
18:45 to 20:00
Room B122
University of Derby
Kedleston Road
Derby
DE22 1GB

 

Faith, Science and Skeptikoism

Those who are interested in the borderline between faith and science there is an interesting website (including a podcast) at http://www.skeptiko.com/

 

Reincarnation

Dr Jasbinder Singh Chima is a scientist/technologist who has done research into nuclear/sub-atomic physics, has long experience in industry/telecommunications and has a background in India, North America and Europe. He describes himself as a Searcher of Spirituality and in this talk he will explore the science and faith of reincarnation which is accepted by several faiths as a basic premise. Is there any scientific evidence for this concept? What might be the physical basis for it?

This is an event in the Science and Faith Season organised by the British Science Association at the Multi-Faith Centre in Derby University to promote dialogue between scientists and people of faith (and of no faith).
There will be ample opportunity to ask questions after Dr Chima’s presentation.

Wednesday 17th June
Refreshments served from 18:30
Multi-Faith Centre
Kedleston Road
Derby
DE22 1GB
Click link at top of page for map

 

How life began on Planet Earth

A synopsis from a geologist’s point of view of the origin of life

Hugh Rollinson, Professor of Earth Sciences, Dept. of Geography, Environmental & Earth Science, University of Derby.

Life on Earth is remarkably ancient and began when the planet itself was in its infancy. 3.8 billion years ago, when there was no land and the Earth’s atmosphere contained no oxygen, primitive life emerged in what can only be described as a bleak watery waste. In this talk Hugh Rollinson, Professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Derby, will examine the geological evidence for the first appearance of life on Earth. Hugh will draw on his long experience of working with the Earth’s oldest rocks to show how geochemical detective work in Greenland, Australia and in southern Africa have been used to help us understand the origin of life. Old rocks may not however, hold all the answers and the recent exploration of previously uncharted depths of the Earth’s oceans may also be pivotal in unravelling the mysteries of life’s origins.

Tuesday 16th June 2009 -18:45 to 20:00
B102 at University of Derby,
Kedleston Road
Derby
DE22 1GB
See Map link at the top of the page

Free Entry
For further information contact:
Dr Ian Turner
Derbyshire Branch Chair
i.turner@derby.ac.uk

 

Understanding the design and delivery of modern medicines Tue 14th July

Understanding the design and delivery of modern medicines

Tue 14th July
Dr. Matt Bunker, Molecular Profiles Ltd.
Details to follow.

B Block Room B226
The University of Derby
Kedleston Road
Derby
DE22 1GB
This event will begin at 18:45 and end around 20:15.

 

Water and Religion

Wed 24 June
Phil Brown

Water is central to life, and features in many religions, but what is this substance? Water is one of the most amazing chemicals known to man. What are the unique physical properties of this magical material? Why is it so essential for life? In this joint celebration of water, both the scientific and the religious points of view will be brought together to deepen our understanding of both its physical and spiritual significance.

Multi-Faith Centre
The University of Derby
Kedleston Road
Derby
DE22 1GB

Contact
For queries please contact Phil Brown, East Midlands Regional Officer
philip.brown@britishscienceassociation.org

 

How life began on Planet Earth

How life began on Planet Earth: a synopsis from a geologists point of view of the origin of life
Tue 16th June
Prof. Hugh Rollinson, Dept. Geography, Environmental & Earth Science
Details to follow.

B Block room 102
The University of Derby
Kedleston Road
Derby
DE22 1GB
This event will begin at 18:45 and end around 20:15.

Contact
For queries please contact Dr Ian Turner, Derbyshire Branch Chair, i.turner@derby.ac.uk

 

Genesis and Geology

Wed 3rd June
Professor Hugh Rollinson
Venue Multi-Faith Centre
Hugh Rollinson is Professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Derby. In his recent book “Early Earth Systems” he describes how the Earth’s crust, its atmosphere, and oceans, were very different when the earth was in its infancy. This is also the time when life first emerged on earth. Hugh is a practising Christian, in this lecture he will explain how, at a time when views in this area tend to be strongly polarised, he reconciles his scientific understanding with a biblical faith.

Multi-Faith Centre
The University of Derby
Kedleston Road
Derby
DE22 1GB

Contact
For queries please contact Phil Brown, East Midlands Regional Officer
philip.brown@britishscienceassociation.org

 

The Science of firearms and warfare

The Science of firearms and warfare
Tue 26th May
Jon Wright, Dept. of Forensics, University of Derby

Details to follow.

B Block room 122
The University of Derby
Kedleston Road
Derby
DE22 1GB
These events will begin at 18:45 and end around 20:15.

Contact
For queries please contact Dr Ian Turner, Derbyshire Branch Chair, i.turner@derby.ac.uk

 

The Science of firearms and warfare

Tue 26th May
Jon Wright, Dept. of Forensics, University of Derby
Details to follow.

B Block room 122
The University of Derby
Kedleston Road
Derby
DE22 1GB
These events will begin at 18:45 and end around 20:15.

Contact
For queries please contact Dr Ian Turner, Derbyshire Branch Chair, i.turner@derby.ac.uk